Animal Shelters Research Articles

The Role and Scope of Practice of Veterinary Social Workers in Animal Shelters

Animal shelters play a pivotal role in protecting pets in crisis and bringing families together. This paper adds to the work of Hoy-Gerlach and colleagues which outlined a three-tier framework for developing and training veterinary social workers (VSWs) to serve in animal shelters. Our research questions sought to explore the VSWs’ self-identified role (RQ1), and how VSWs self-identify their scope of practice (RQ2). Through these exploratory questions, our research aimed to advance knowledge about the state of VSWs in the animal-shelter setting. Methods: Using a purposive sampling strategy, an anonymous community practice survey (CPS) was emailed to VSWs working in animal shelters. Inclusion criteria included being over the age of 18, being currently employed in an animal shelter, and cognitive fluency in English. The survey yielded 25 responses with 14 included in the data analysis. Findings: The VSWs identified their role as supporting multiple groups, including clients and their practice community (i.e., colleagues). While most of their time was devoted to individuals from the community, they also supported the mental wellbeing of their team. Their work ranged from case management and psychoeducation to crisis intervention and suicide risk assessment. As there are no standards of practice for VSWs, each respondent used unique language to explain their role and scope of practice. Conclusions: The CPS was helpful in illuminating developing trends within the field, though a larger sample size is needed to gain a more nuanced understanding of self-identified needs of VSWs practicing in animal shelters and other related spaces.

386. Pathogen-Harboring Ticks are Prevalent in Suburban Green Spaces in Central North Carolina

Abstract Background North Carolina (NC) reports high numbers of ehrlichiosis and spotted fever group rickettsioses. However, the prevalence of pathogens in ticks has historically been relatively low, with a < 10% prevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and < 1% prevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii in field-collected Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis ticks. Most entomological surveys have focused on woodlands and rural sites, while less is known about the risk of human-tick interactions in suburban green spaces such as parks.Table 1.Pathogens identified in ticks in central North Carolina from surveillance in suburban green spaces and animal shelters. Methods The objective of the study, which was supported by an IDSA GERM Award, was to describe the prevalence and distribution of pathogen-harboring ticks in a suburban area of central NC with a focus on green spaces. Tick surveillance was performed by dragging vegetation in 16 suburban green spaces, primarily city and county parks, in Orange and Chatham Counties from June - August 2022. Ticks were also collected from stray dogs presenting to two county animal shelters. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect pathogens in the ticks. Results A total of 107 ticks were collected and underwent PCR testing (Table 1), including 40 collected via dragging and 67 from animal shelters. A. americanum were the most frequently encountered ticks, accounting for more than two-thirds of ticks collected in green spaces and half of ticks from shelters. A total of 26% were positive for E. chaffeensis or E. ewingii, with substantially higher infection rates among ticks from shelters. A. maculatum accounted for 25% of ticks in green spaces, half of which were positive for R. parkeri. The vast majority (90%) of D. variabilis ticks were collected from shelters, but all three ticks from green spaces were positive for R. rickettsii. While of uncertain pathogenicity, R. amblyommatis was the most frequently encountered bacterium among all ticks collected. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that pathogen-infected ticks are present in suburban green spaces. Given that exposure risk of tick-borne disease is commonly associated with rural activities such as hiking, camping, and hunting, further education and public campaigns are warranted, and vector control efforts may need to be considered. Our findings also suggest that A. maculatum may be moving further inland than previously reported. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and a possible variant in shelter cats.

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of mild to severe acute respiratory disease that led to significant loss of human lives worldwide between 2019 and 2022. The virus has been detected in various animals including cats and dogs making it a major public health concern and a One Health issue. In this study, conjunctival and pharyngeal swabs (n = 350) and serum samples (n = 350) were collected between July and December 2020 from cats that were housed in an animal shelter and tested for the infection of SARS-CoV-2 using real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) that targeted the N1 and N2 genes, and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus neutralization Test (sVNT), respectively. 203 (58%) swab samples were negative (N1 and N2 not detected), 2 (0.6%) were positive (N1 and N2 detected) and 145 (41%) were inconclusive (only N1 detected). Analysis of the N2 region and multiple sequence alignment revealed base-pair deletions and substitutions in the N2 probe binding region of the feline samples RNA extracts in comparison with the positive control and human SARS-CoV-2 sequences in the GenBank database. Substituting the N2 probe with a probe derived from the cat sample amplicon sequences, 123 of 127 (96.9%) of the N2 negative samples returned positive. All but one of the 350 serum samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibody. These observations indicated that although detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection was low in the samples tested, pet cats can harbor the virus and serve as potential source for virus spread that may lead to human infections. Additionally, cats may harbor a yet-to-be described virus that is somewhat related to SARS-CoV-2.

Unlocking Collaborative Dynamics: Exploring Veterinarian-Leadership Relationships in Animal Shelters

Introduction: Veterinarians and organizational leaders play crucial roles in the success of animal shelters. Although both groups share a common mission, differing priorities and perspectives may lead to challenges that affect organizational success. This study explored attitudes of veterinarians and leaders toward collaboration and provides recommendations to enhance organizational effectiveness. Methods: An online survey collected data from 179 veterinarians and leaders of animal sheltering organizations on attitudes toward veterinarian-leader collaboration between June and August 2023. A composite score of Likert-type items measured attitudes toward veterinarian-leader relationship effectiveness (ATVLRE). Statistical tests compared responses across groups, while qualitative analysis identified recurring themes. Results: Differences were identified in ATVLRE among non-veterinarian leaders, veterinarian leaders, and veterinarian non-leaders. Non-veterinarian leaders reported the highest positive ATVLRE (M = 4.0, SD = 0.6), followed by veterinarian leaders (M = 3.7, SD = 1.0) and veterinarian non-leaders (M = 3.1, SD = 0.9). Statistically significant differences were found between these groups, particularly between non-veterinarian leaders and veterinarian non-leaders (Cohen d = 1.1). The most reported challenge for veterinarian non-leaders was ‘lack of effective communication’ (70%; n = 31/44), compared to veterinarian leaders (54%; n = 27/50) and non-veterinarian leaders (27%; n = 22/27). Additionally, ‘differences in priorities or conflicting goals’ were the top challenge for veterinarian leaders (66%; n = 33/50), while non-veterinarian leaders most frequently cited ‘managing expectations and demands’ (55%; n = 45/82). Communication was the primary contributor to successful relationships across all groups (68%; n = 122/179). Conclusion: This study revealed distinct attitudes within animal shelters and identified the critical role of communication in effective collaboration. Despite divergent attitudes, all groups emphasized constructive communication for fostering successful veterinarian-leader relationships. Understanding role-based perceptions can guide strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness and improve animal welfare.

Pathogen Detection and Resistome Analysis in Healthy Shelter Dogs Using Whole Metagenome Sequencing.

According to the Humane Society, 25 to 40 percent of pet dogs in the United States are adopted from animal shelters. Shelter dogs can harbor bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal pathogens, posing risks to canine and human health. These bacterial pathogens may also carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), serving as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission. This study aimed to utilize whole metagenome sequencing (WMS) to screen for microbial pathogens and assess the resistome in healthy shelter dogs. Fecal samples from 58 healthy shelter dogs across 10 shelters in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia were analyzed using WMS. Genomic DNA was extracted, and bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify pathogens and ARGs. The WMS detected 53 potentially zoonotic or known pathogens including thirty-eight bacterial species, two protozoa, five yeast species, one nematode, four molds, and three viruses. A total of 4560 ARGs signatures representing 182 unique genes across 14 antibiotic classes were detected. Tetracycline resistance genes were most abundant (49%), while β-lactam resistance genes showed the highest diversity with 75 unique ARGs. ARGs were predominantly detected in commensal bacteria; however, nearly half (18/38, 47.4%) of known bacterial pathogens detected in this study carried ARGs for resistance to one or more antibiotic classes. This study provides evidence that healthy shelter dogs carry a diverse range of zoonotic and antibiotic-resistant pathogens, posing a transmission risk through fecal shedding. These findings highlight the value of WMS for pathogen detection and AMR surveillance, informing therapeutic and prophylactic strategies to mitigate the transmission of pathogens among shelter dog populations and the risk associated with zoonoses.

Geographic Transitions of Domestic Cats in Urban Areas through Animal Adoption Centers and the Implications for Population Dynamics

ABSTRACT Animal shelters address animal welfare in communities through the intake and outcome of companion animals, but these efforts affect population dynamics of companion animals based on the distance animals are moved and the factors that underlie intake and outcome. Using data from an animal shelter in Washington, DC we analyzed cat intakes and outcomes based on geographic and socioeconomic factors. Most intakes were stray cats (59%) and cats relinquished by owners (38%) and most outcomes were adoptions (84%). The highest number of intakes were in high development, low-income neighborhoods, whereas the lowest number of intakes were in low development, high-income neighborhoods. The highest number of outcomes were to high-income neighborhoods and there was a trend toward more outcomes in neighborhoods further from the shelter. Cats returned to the shelter were more likely to originate from areas near the shelter whereas cats that were relinquished originated from areas further from the shelter. Stray intakes were less common, and returns to shelter were more common, in high-income, high development areas. Seized cats originated from low-income neighborhoods. Relative to adoptions, the proportion of returned to owner outcomes was higher in low-income neighborhoods that were closer to the shelter as well as high-income neighborhoods that were distant from the shelter. Our results highlight the factors underlying cat intakes and outcomes in shelters that ultimately determine where, when, and how animals are moved across one urban area; these factors must be considered when developing cat population management plans to reach animal welfare and societal goals.

The diagnostic process for infectious disease diagnosis in animals.

Veterinary diagnostic laboratories provide a vast catalog of tests for infectious agents and often have multiple tests and testing modalities for individual pathogens. Understanding which test to select, which sample type is best, and which animal to sample in a population are critical factors for drawing appropriate conclusions and diagnosing a disease. Each diagnostic test has its inherent diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and, in many situations, multiple tests may be required for proper interpretation. When multiple tests are needed in a large population (eg, animal shelters, farmed animals, and breeding colonies), the cost of diagnostic testing becomes an increasing concern, and knowing when and how to use aggregate or composite samples is critical. A clinical examination is the first and arguably most important diagnostic procedure providing the framework for laboratory test selection. This yields not only a differential diagnosis but an expected stage of disease, which is necessary for determining the most appropriate laboratory tests and how they should be interpreted. This review will discuss the diagnostic process, strengths and limitations of commonly requested tests at a diagnostic laboratory (eg, histopathology, microbial culture, PCR, and ELISA), common sources of error in interpretation, the impact of pooling samples on different tests, and ways to help strengthen conclusions made from diagnostic test data.

Is It Really a Failure? A Survey About Foster Animal Adoption.

The widespread use of the term "foster fail" in animal rescue suggests that it happens often, but no research has explored the prevalence of volunteers adopting their foster animals or whether the phenomenon is really a "failure". This survey-based study focused on the following questions: 1. How common are foster fails among volunteers on shelter and rescue lists and why do they occur? 2. What types of volunteers are most likely to adopt their foster animals? 3. Do different attachment styles to pets affect foster adoption? 4. Is the adoption of foster animals a way to deal with the potential grief of letting them go to adoption? 5. What are the impacts of foster fails on animal shelters in terms of longevity of volunteers and satisfaction with the volunteer experience? Data were collected through surveys of foster volunteers. Two nonprofit organizations, the Pedigree Foundation and Shelter Animals Count, distributed information about the survey and shelter directors distributed the survey link to their population of foster volunteers. Nine hundred and forty-seven individuals responded. To address the research questions, frequency, correlation, and regression analyses were employed. A total of 38% of volunteers had not adopted a foster in the past ten years, and another 38% had adopted one or two; 90 (11%) and 103 (13%) had adopted three to four or more than four, respectively. Volunteers that had significantly higher numbers of foster fails were those that were older (r = 0.22, p < 0.001), retired (chi-squared = 9.05, p = 0.029), lower on educational attainment (r = -0.13, p < 0.001), female with their own cats (r = 0.16, p < 0.001), and part of a fostering family (r = 0.08, p = 0.043). Volunteers that expressed higher levels of both people-substituting (r = 0.16, p = 0.003) and general (r = 0.13, p = 0.017) attachment to their fosters were more likely to adopt them, as were those that more frequently fostered animals with special medical or behavioral needs (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Volunteers that had longer tenures (r = 0.43, p < 0.001), fostered more frequently (r = 0.24, p < 0.001), and reported greater resilience (r = 0.10, p = 0.009) had adopted significantly more animals. Finally, there was a significant and positive relationship between satisfaction with fostering and adopting more foster animals (r = 0.16, p < 0.001). The findings indicated that instead of being a "failure," foster adoptions can be a positive force for the animal in question, their adopters, and shelters and rescues because they have more resilient, satisfied, and active volunteers.

Prevalence of feline upper respiratory tract pathogens and risk factors for clinical disease and final outcomes in an RSPCA shelter in Queensland, Australia.

Feline respiratory tract infection poses a serious challenge in animal shelters. Potential risk factors include pathogens introduced through animals entering the shelter. We aimed to determine the proportion of animals shedding feline upper respiratory tract (URT) pathogens at the time of entry and to assess how this contributed to the burden of clinical disease and final outcomes. Oropharyngeal and conjunctival swabs were collected from incoming cats over 11 months and tested using real-time PCR. The prevalence and distribution of pathogens were reported; causal associations with clinical disease and shelter outcomes were assessed using Bayesian generalised regression models. On admission, 43% (n = 86) cats were shedding one or more pathogens (feline herpes virus, feline calici virus, Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydia felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica). Shedding was somewhat associated with subsequent clinical disease but not with risk of euthanasia. Animals placed into foster care were less likely (odds ratio [OR] 0.27, Bayesian credible interval [CI] 0.09‒0.78) and those enrolled into behavioural rehabilitation programmes were more likely to develop disease (OR 5, CI 2.4‒11). Kittens had a delayed time to onset of disease (daily hazard 0.39, CI 0.13‒1.2). Geriatric animals (OR 4.1, CI 1.8‒10) and those with comorbidities (OR 8.8, CI 3.5‒25) were most likely to be euthanased. While a substantial proportion of animals were shedding pathogens on entry, animal characteristics (age and behaviour) and shelter operations (foster care) were more important in impacting the shelter's burden of clinical feline URT disease.

Zoonoses in dog and cat shelters in North-East Italy: update on emerging, neglected and known zoonotic agents.

Shelters for stray dogs and cats deserve careful monitoring for zoonotic risk, as they represent a crucial point for prevention and control of infection spread. Data sorting to prioritize zoonotic agents in a geographic area need constant updating, but no regular official programs are ongoing, to allow an efficient risk survey for these animal species. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the prevalence of certain known, potential and emerging zoonoses within the framework of the routine monitoring of dog and cat shelters in North-East Italy. A total of 389 cats and 257 dogs housed in public veterinary services shelters and feline colonies were included in the present investigation. The animals originated from the provinces of Padua, Venice, Rovigo, Vicenza, Verona, Trento and Bolzano. Serological, molecular and microbiological diagnostics were implemented to investigate the prevalence of Leptospira sp., Brucella canis, Leishmania infantum, dermatophytes, gastrointestinal parasites, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, Capnocytophaga sp., Bartonella sp., Norovirus, Rotavirus A, Cowpox virus, Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Hepatitis E virus, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus. Data about some known zoonoses (e.g., serological positivity of Leishmania infantum 25% and Leptospira sp. 44.3% in dogs, and Bartonella henselae 70% in cats) resulted aligned with previous research and recent reports, whereas there was a notable occurrence of some potential, emerging and neglected pathogens (e.g., Mammalian Orthoreovirus 0.38% in dogs and 2.83% in cats). For some other agents (e.g., dermatophytes in dogs and in cats) the prevalence resulted lower than expected. The prevention of the zoonotic risk requires a re-examination of the complex interaction between humans, animals, and environment. This is of particular importance in settings like companion animal shelters, which serve as key sites for disease monitoring and zoonotic risk mitigation. The study highlights the need to monitor and prioritize the zoonotic pathogens, to implement and constantly update surveillance and specific training programs for the kennels' operators, and management of epidemiological risks.

The Last Point in the Evolution of Human-animal Perception and Its Reflection on the News in Turkey

The human-animal relationship has changed from time to time with the evolution of cultural history. In the theoretical part of the study, a journey from being one or brother and sister to seeing the animal as an object and from there to be reduced to a means of healing traumas is described to the extent permitted by the dimensions of the article. The main stops in this evolution are emphasized, and the structural constructions of this relationship are analyzed. Following this analysis, the discourse analysis of the news articles was carried out. Through this analysis method, it was show what the real purpose of the news articles was and where this purposes tood in the evolution described in the theoretical part. After constructing the background of the article&amp;apos;s narrative with qualitative-historical descriptions and interpretations in the theoretical part, discourse analysis was chosen as the method. Since the November 25th incident at the Konya Animal Shelter created a debate in a large segment of social institutions, four news articles from four newspapers covering the incident on the same day on the internet were selected and analyzed. The newspapers where the news items were published were identified based on their closeness to and opposition to the government. Findings on how the same news item was constructed were shown and interpreted. The attitude of the newspapers while reporting the event and the point in the evolution of the animal-human relationship were discussed. Thus, in the light of anthropological interpretations, this study has also revealed how animals are objectified in newspapers.

Evaluation of some physical properties of cattle manure

Cattle manure, which is obtained from cattles and is a biological material, goes through many basic processes such as collection from animal shelters, transportation, storage and distribution as animal fertilizer. The physical properties of manure are of great importance in the manure processes and the design of farm manure machinery. In this study, animal manure with and without bedding was considered as material. Manure bedding was selected from sawdust and straw. Among the characteristics effective in the mechanization of the applications; dry matter ratio, volumetric weight and natural repose angle were determined. As a result, it was determined that the type of bedding used, manure moisture content and repose angle were effective on the physical properties of manure. In addition, it was found that the dry matter ratio of farm manure changed with the type of bedding used and the dry matter content of straw-based manure was higher. When the volumetric weights were examined, the average volumetric weight of the manure without bedding was 857.48 kg/m³, the sawdust manure was 653.84 kg/m³ and the straw manure was 590.37 kg/m³. Moreover, it was obtained that the angle of repose values was lower in the bedding manure.

Exploring Factors That Influence Public Engagement of Adoptable Pets on Facebook.

Recent statistics suggest that the percentage of animals adopted from shelters or rescue organizations is lower than expected, especially given the number of animals available for adoption. To help increase adoption rates, animal shelters often advertise adoptable animals on webpages and social media. However, little research has examined what information may be more successful in increasing engagement and interest in the animals to ultimately lead to adoption. This exploratory study examined posts of adoptable animals on Facebook pages of 13 different animal shelters in the US to better understand how post content, such as pictures or videos, type/sex of animal, and the environment the animals are depicted in, may influence public engagement. We also sought to examine if there was a difference between posts in 2019 (pre-pandemic) compared to 2020 (pandemic). The findings suggest that posts on social media can successfully promote animals available for adoption, but the type of animal (dog vs. cat) and environment (e.g., home vs. other) can influence the likes and shares of the posts. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and a shift to more online activity may have influenced engagement; posts from Fall 2019 had more likes, while posts in Fall 2020 had more shares. Future research should continue to look for trends in the content of posts, as well as content shared on other social media outlets, to provide further clarification about how these posts influence adoptions.

The Nonprofit Veterinarian Shortage: Who Will Care for the Pets Most in Need?

Introduction: The national shortage of veterinarians, and the technicians and assistants who support them, has affected private practices, emergency and specialty clinics, agricultural practices, public health departments, and veterinary college faculty. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the veterinary workforce shortage on veterinary care provided at two types of public practice: (1) veterinary care for cats and dogs housed temporarily in animal sheltering organizations (ASOs) and (2) veterinary clinics aimed at increasing access to care for animals in the community. Methods: A novel survey was disseminated to 333 ASOs receiving a minimum of 2,500 animals annually and 118 access to care clinics (ATCCs) that partner with or receive grants from the national animal welfare nonprofit Petco Love. Surveys included questions about staffing and vacant positions for veterinarians and veterinary support staff, current hiring efforts for veterinarians, and delays in animal care. Results: A total of 179 ASOs completed the survey (54% response rate). Most reported being short-staffed for veterinarians (130/179; 73%) and for veterinary support staff (132/179; 74%). Of the 143 ASOs answering a question about spay/neuter surgeries, 130 (91%) reported having a backlog with a combined total of 18,648 animals awaiting surgery. A total of 57 ATCCs responded to the survey (48% response rate). Of these, 41 (72%) reported being short-staffed for both veterinarians and veterinary support staff. As a result, clients were waiting longer than usual for care at 45 clinics (79%), with delays of 2 months or more at 28 clinics (51%). Conclusion: This study highlights the critical impact of severe veterinary workforce shortages on nonprofit organizations responsible for medical care for the most vulnerable cats and dogs. These shortages pose substantial risks to animal welfare, the human–animal bond, and public health.

Examining the Relationship Between Social Vulnerability and Animal Shelter Intakes and Outcomes: Patterns and Implications.

(1) Background: This study investigates the impact of social vulnerability, as quantified by the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), on animal shelter intakes and adoptions, and the flow of animals between SVI groups at seven shelters within the United States. Understanding how social vulnerability influences these factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve shelter outcomes and community support programs. (2) Methods: The research analyzed intake and adoption data from multiple animal shelters to assess the relationship between the social vulnerability at intake and adoption locations based on Census Tract obtained from addresses, focusing on comparison across strays, seized animals, and owner surrenders. Effect sizes were calculated to determine the magnitude and practical implications of these relationships. The study also examined the distribution of outcomes and reasons for animal surrender in relation to SVI levels. (3) Results: The analysis found that animals tended to enter shelters from areas of higher vulnerability while being adopted out to homes from all levels of vulnerability. Stray animals and those seized by authorities were more likely to come from high-SVI areas and showed a stronger disparity between intake and adoption SVI levels than owner surrenders. Racial/ethnic minority status and socioeconomic status were the components of the SVI that produced the strongest differences between intake and adoption vulnerability levels. Adoptions, however, were evenly distributed across different SVI levels, suggesting equitable access to adoption services. The study also identified that animals from high-SVI areas were not euthanized at higher rates compared to those from lower-SVI areas. (4) Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for further investigation into the high numbers of stray adult dogs in areas of communities that are most socially vulnerable as well as programs to address the volume of young animals originating from these areas. The equitable distribution of adoptions across SVI levels suggests that shelters are effectively engaging with socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse communities. Future research should focus on exploring the dynamics of stray animal intakes and enforcement patterns to enhance community and animal welfare initiatives.

Veterinary clinics and animal shelters in the planning structure of cities. Experience of different countries

The features of the placement of veterinary clinics and animal shelters in the planning structure of cities in different countries and various methods of spatial organization of veterinary space in their implemented design practice are considered.

2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (2024 Update).

Vaccination is a cornerstone of canine preventive healthcare and one of the most cost-effective ways of maintaining a dog's health, longevity, and quality of life. Canine vaccination also serves a public health function by forming a barrier against several zoonotic diseases affecting dogs and humans. Canine vaccines are broadly categorized as containing core and noncore immunizing antigens, with administration recommendations based on assessment of individual patient risk factors. The guidelines include a comprehensive table listing canine core and noncore vaccines and a recommended vaccination and revaccination schedule for each vaccine. The guidelines explain the relevance of different vaccine formulations, including those containing modified-live virus, inactivated, and recombinant immunizing agents. Factors that potentially affect vaccine efficacy are addressed, including the patient's prevaccination immune status and vaccine duration of immunity. Because animal shelters are one of the most challenging environments for prevention and control of infectious diseases, the guidelines also provide recommendations for vaccination of dogs presented at or housed in animal shelters, including the appropriate response to an infectious disease outbreak in the shelter setting. The guidelines explain how practitioners can interpret a patient's serological status, including maternally derived antibody titers, as indicators of immune status and suitability for vaccination. Other topics covered include factors associated with postvaccination adverse events, vaccine storage and handling to preserve product efficacy, interpreting product labeling to ensure proper vaccine use, and using client education and healthcare team training to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinations.

Diverse prehistoric cattle husbandry strategies in the forests of Central Europe

During the sixth millennium bce, the first farmers of Central Europe rapidly expanded across a varied mosaic of forested environments. Such environments would have offered important sources of mineral-rich animal feed and shelter, prompting the question: to what extent did early farmers exploit forests to raise their herds? Here, to resolve this, we have assembled multi-regional datasets, comprising bulk and compound-specific stable isotope values from zooarchaeological remains and pottery, and conducted cross-correlation analyses within a palaeo-environmental framework. Our findings reveal a diversity of pasturing strategies for cattle employed by early farmers, with a notable emphasis on intensive utilization of forests for grazing and seasonal foddering in some regions. This experimentation with forest-based animal feeds by early farmers would have enhanced animal fertility and milk yields for human consumption, concurrently contributing to the expansion of prehistoric farming settlements and the transformation of forest ecosystems. Our study emphasizes the intricate relationship that existed between early farmers and forested landscapes, shedding light on the adaptive dynamics that shaped humans, animals and environments in the past.

Measures of Well-Being in U.S. Animal Shelter Staff During 2023

Introduction: The demands of animal shelter work can take a toll on staff well-being. The years following the coronavirus pandemic have been especially demanding as shelters struggle to navigate a series of unprecedented challenges, including pandemic-related restrictions, the shortage of veterinary professionals, adoptions not keeping pace with increasing animal admissions (especially of dogs), the expiration of eviction moratoriums, and rising inflation. These factors create a context that is potentially deleterious to the well-being of shelter staff. Methods: We used an online survey to collect information from U.S. shelter staff (N = 243). Specifically, we used the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) instruments to quantify various aspects of staff well-being. We also collected basic demographic information and details about participants’ experience in the animal welfare field. Results: PROMIS results reveal mean anger, anxiety, depression, and fatigue scores in the mild/moderate range, significantly higher than those of the general U.S. population. ProQOL results show that nearly half of shelter staff respondents (49.4%) recorded compassion satisfaction scores in the high range, with the remainder falling into the moderate (39.1%) or low (11.5%) range; 53.5% recorded burnout scores in the high range, with the remainder falling into the moderate (32.1%) or low (14.4%) range; and 90.9% recorded secondary traumatic stress scores in the high range, with the remainder falling into the moderate (8.2%) or low (0.8%) range. Conclusion: Although the shelter staff surveyed reported high levels of job satisfaction, their high burnout and secondary traumatic stress scores, and lower mental and physical health scores raise serious concerns about employee well-being and potential turnover following the coronavirus pandemic. If much of the trauma that comes with animal sheltering work cannot be avoided, policymakers should consider providing shelter staff with the resources necessary to mitigate its impact.

Cat Caring Behaviors and Ownership Status of Residents Enrolling a Cat in a Free Sterilization Program.

Most cats entering animal shelters in Australia are less than 12 months old and emanate from low socioeconomic areas. Many are unidentified and may be either owned or semi-owned cats (cats cared for by someone who does not consider themselves the owner). In Australia, approximately 33% of cats entering shelters and pounds are euthanized annually, adversely affecting the mental health of staff involved. Our study investigated cat ownership and caregiving behaviors of cats enrolled in the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation's Community Cat Program, which included free sterilization, microchipping, and preventive healthcare. The suburbs targeted in Ipswich, Australia had a high per capita cat intake into animal shelters. We surveyed 1094 cat owners and semi-owners. Most cats were under 12 months old (79%), primarily domestic short-haired (69%), and acquired through informal channels such as friends, family, or as strays. Veterinary care was limited, with only 15% of cats having visited a veterinarian and 28% being vaccinated. Prior to hearing about the free sterilization program, 88.5% of participants identified as owners, while 11.5% were semi-owners. Before completing the survey, these semi-owners transitioned from an informal caregiving relationship to becoming owner of the cat/s. Of the semi-owners, 93% indicated that their transition to ownership was driven by feelings of responsibility, emotional attachment, and access to free sterilization services. These findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as accessible veterinary care and sterilization programs, are crucial in encouraging semi-owners to take full ownership of cats, improving cat welfare, and reducing unplanned breeding. Supporting this transition helps curb overpopulation and fosters improved caregiving, benefiting both cats and communities.