Taking a shelter dog for walks as an important step in the resocialization process

Abstract

According to a study by Thomas (2006) about shelter dogs in Vienna, 40% of the dogs (N5382) stay in the shelter for 1 year, 16% for 2 years, 14% for 3 years, and 26% for more than 4 years. Because of this high rate of long-term stays, a way to increase the chances for adoption has been sought. Socialization and training can significantly improve the chance for adoption of shelter dogs. However, time constraints usually do not allow the shelter staff to engage in additional activities with the animals. Since September 2003, dog lovers have been able to become ‘‘sponsors of care’’ for a dog in the Vienna Shelter. The intensive and individual activity with a sponsor is meant to increase the quality of life for these kenneled dogs and to address behavioral issues that might decrease the dog’s chances to be adopted. For this purpose each sponsor gets a thorough training by a professional dog trainer. Supervision is provided when difficulties arise. From September 2003 until December 2009, 734 people became sponsors of care. Of these, 176 are still active to date. The number of sponsors increased over the years, from 21 sponsors working with 43 dogs in the first year to 176 people working with 241 dogs in 2009. Fifty-six percent of all 558 participating sponsors of care continued their work for about 12 months. Twenty percent of them finally adopted ‘‘their’’ shelter dogs. A total of 3.6% of sponsors continue for more than 36 months. As a result of this program, the number of dogs that remained in the shelter for more than 4 years was reduced from 26% to 12% (N5362 in 2009). We can conclude that taking shelter dogs for ‘‘walkies’’ significantly increases their quality of life as well as their chances for adoption.