Homeless Dogs Research Articles

Tailored management plan for preventing viral diseases within dog shelters

Dog shelters play a crucial role in animal welfare by providing temporary care and finding permanent homes for homeless dogs. However, the close confinement and high turnover of animals in shelters create an ideal environment for the spread of viral diseases. To combat this, various preventive measures have been implemented, but a comprehensive and tailored approach is essential to effectively safeguard the health of shelter dogs. This study outlines a tailor-fit management plan that incorporates a multifaceted approach, encompassing vaccination, testing, hygienic practices, and quarantine protocols, to effectively prevent viral diseases within dog shelters.

Foster Puppies as Therapeutic Partners: A Model for Mutual Benefit

Abstract Ample research points to the positive impact of nonhuman animals on humans and the benefits of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on patients in multiple settings. However, AAT is often a one-sided enterprise, whereby the focus of concern for benefit and growth is centered on the human, and less, or not at all, on the nonhuman animal. We present a model that emphasizes approximate equal benefit for human and nonhuman animals. A treatment approach is described that combines socialization and training of homeless dogs and puppies to increase adoption rates and assess for suitability as therapy or working dogs, with rehabilitating and supporting clients. This model of mutual benefit demonstrates prosocial behavior for clients who participate in the socialization and preparation of homeless puppies for permanent homes in combination with their existing therapeutic goals and is rich territory for symbolic exploration. A case study is presented as an illustration of the model.

Monitoring breed diversity and incidence of diseases in the dog population of the shelter ANO “Help to Homeless Dogs”

Large industrial centers and cities are faced with the need to regulate the number of domestic animals, including the reduction of stray dogs. Monitoring the reasons for dogs entering shelters, studying their breed; balance of the most significant diseases as possible sources of replenishment of shelters. The return of lost dogs is an integral part of the task of finding them in a shelter and at the same time it is a complete comprehensive examination and prevention of the spread of diseases in urban areas. Husky dogs are quite difficult to keep in apartments; when deciding to have such a pet, the choice must be objectively responsible. Treatment of the premises of the quarantine zone showed the high effectiveness of the drugs Monclavit-1 and Creolin for the prevention of infectious and parasitic diseases of dogs.

Increase in size and shrub cover improves bird functional diversity in Neotropical urban green spaces

AbstractLatin American cityscapes are growing fast, posing risks to many bird communities and ecosystem services (e.g. seed dispersal and arthropod population control), but few studies have addressed how bird functional diversity respond to urbanization in Neotropical cities. In this study, we tested which biotic (i.e. vegetation characteristics and human and pet disturbances) and abiotic variables (i.e. area size, number of vehicles, and glass panes) influence functional diversity indices of insectivores, frugivores‐nectarivores, migrants, residents, and total bird community at urban green spaces in São Paulo megacity, southeastern Brazil. A rich avian community (235 species) from 25 studied sites was recorded. Generalized linear models (GLM) analyses showed that large‐sized areas of urban green spaces and shrub cover are the main characteristics that drive high bird functional diversity. Small‐sized sites were less favourable for preserving bird functional diversity. We showed that these areas were related to some negative impacts for bird species (e.g. absence of shrub layer, heavy traffic and massive presence of glass panes, and domestic animals), thus causing declines in avian functional diversity. Off‐leash and homeless dogs and cats may cause declines in bird ecological functions (e.g. insect control, seed dispersal and pollination), which are essential to sustain biodiversity. Therefore, as management actions to improve bird diversity and better provisioning of ecosystem functions, we recommend that urban planners and managers should prioritize large‐sized areas with high shrub cover. Additionally, we highlight the need to mitigate the negative impact on birds caused by glass panes, traffic of vehicles, and off‐leash and homeless dogs and cats.

Imagining Home

This article explores online performances of adoptability of homeless dogs in transnational animal rescue and rehoming practices in Finland, based on an analysis of the websites of Finnish animal rescue charities, as well as interviews with volunteers at these charities. Drawing on recent work on concepts such as home, care, encounter value, and nonhuman charisma, I explore how homeless dogs in other countries are portrayed online for the purpose of transnational rehoming as pets and, more generally, how animal adoptability and ideals of a pet and a multispecies home are constructed. The dogs’ life histories, present situation, and subsequent adoptability are validated in stories based on interpretations of their past and present experiences, subjectivity, and agency. The encounter value of homeless dogs is based not only on the positive affects their portrayals are supposed to evoke, but also on interpretations of their experiences of suffering and the compassion they may elicit in the potential adopter. The adoptability of these dogs, I argue, is constructed on an encounter value based on compassion-evoking charisma rather than promises of sharing a life with an “ideal” pet and their rehoming is presented as an opportunity to create a home with an animal who may never have had one before.

Епізоотична ситуація за дирофіляріозу собак у м. Києві

In most countries, dogs are more likely to have two types of heartworm pathogens: Dirofilaria repens ‒ localized in the subcutaneous tissue and causes skin lesions and Dirofilaria immitis ‒ parasitizes in the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries and is accompanied by cardiovascular disorders in animals. The increase in the number of dogs infected with heartworms occurs with increasing age, depending on the sex and breed of animals. Laboratory tests are important in diagnosing heartworm disease because the clinical signs are nonspecific. Heartworm disease is a global disease, the geographical area of which continues to increase The aim of the study was to clarify the epizootic situation regarding heartworm disease of dogs in Kyiv, to study the dynamics of the disease for the period 2017-2020, depending on the age of dogs, economic use in the city of Kiev, also to analyze the similarity of pathological and anatomical changes of affected animals by parasites Dirofilaria immitis. The material for the epizootic situation were reports on the results of studies of dogs in Kyiv for 2017-2020 and the results of our own research. Pathological and anatomical examinations were performed in the section hall of the Research Pathomorphology Department of the State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary Sanitary Examination. The object of research is 96 dogs of different ages: puppies up to 1 year, dogs from 1 year to 12 years. Autopsies were performed according to generally accepted methods. According to official research results in Kyiv for 2019 - 2020, heartworm disease has decreased significantly (8 - 5.7%). The highest rate of invasion was in 2017 (29.6%) and with each passing year the percentage of the disease decreased, reaching 5.7% in 2020. This situation may be due to changes in weather and climate conditions (reduced rainfall), timely prevention, treatment and treatment of animals from mosquitoes. According to the results of pathological and anatomical studies, it was found that dogs under 1 year of age were not infested, and with increasing age in animals the incidence rate begins to increase and reaches the highest percentage of infestation in adult animals aged 10-12 years to ‒ 60%. Which is due to biological vectors (infested mosquitoes) and reduced resistance of animals. Pathological autopsy was performed on dogs of different breeds. However, 16 dogs were infected, including: German Shepherds ‒ 7, mestizos ‒ 4, outbred ‒ 5. In general, it is not the breed that affects dogs, but the conditions of keeping and economic use. The intensity of the invasion among service dogs ‒ 12,5%, domestic ‒ 18,2%, among homeless dogs were not found, which indicates a higher resistance of the body to this disease. According to the results of pathological and anatomical autopsies in the corpses of 16 affected animals with heartworms, similar postmortem changes were observed: 1. The presence of parasites Dirofilaria immitis approximately 20-30 cm long of light yellow color in the lumen of the right ventricle in aorta and pulmonary artery in 16 corpses ‒ 100% cases; 2. Acute venous hyperemia and pulmonary edema in 12 corpses ‒ 75% of cases; 3. Dilatation of the right ventricle of the heart in 9 corpses ‒ 56.3%; 4. Aneurysm and thrombosis of the pulmonary artery adjacent to the right ventricle of the heart was found in 8 corpses ‒ 50% probability; 5. Myocardial dystrophy among 8 corpses ‒ 50%; 6. Pericarditis was found in 3 carcasses of animals ‒ 18.8%; 7. Endocarditis in one dog, i.e. ‒ 6.3%; 8. With myocarditis one corpse ‒ 6.3%; 9. Gastro-enteritis was observed in 12 corpses in the total number ‒ 75%, but: catarrhal in 8, catarrhal-hemorrhagic in 3, hemorrhagic in 1; 10. Pneumonia in 3 corpses ‒ 18.8%, distinguishing interstitial, serous-catarrhal, catarrhal-purulent in one case. Own research has established the infestation of dogs with parasites, and the similarity of pathological and anatomical changes at the autopsy of animals depending on age, breed and economic use. In the future, it is planned to conduct histological and histochemical studies of organs in which the presence of helminths Dirofilaria immitis was detected in order to study the characteristic morphological changes.

How Different Personalities Affect the Reaction to Adoption of Dogs Adopted from a Shelter.

Simple SummaryThe adoption of dogs from shelters is very common in western societies, especially in countries where a ‘no-kill’ policy is enforced by law, like Italy. Many studies have focused on unsuccessful adoptions but few studies have aimed to evaluate the behavior of adopted dogs when adoption is successful and dogs remain with their new owners. This study aims to detect if there are behavioral modifications in dogs after successful adoption, based on their personality traits. We assessed the personality of 34 healthy dogs when housed in a shelter and, after a few years, the behavior of the same dogs was analyzed in their new house. The personality of the dogs affected their reaction to adoption: bolder dogs became even more active and playful. Changes were correlated to time since adoption. Considering that 100% of the dog adoptions in this study have been successful, the added value of this research is to help dog counselors who work in shelters to provide more focused suggestions for new owners who are adopting a dog.Dog shelters provide a valuable service by housing homeless dogs and seeking subsequent adoption for these dogs. Few studies have aimed to monitor the behavior of adopted dogs when adoption is successful. The aim of this study was to detect what behavioral modifications, based on their personality, occurred in dogs after their adoption. The personality of 34 healthy dogs was evaluated in the pre-adoption phase by means of a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of their behavioral patterns. In the post-adoption phase, we analyzed the behavior of the same dogs, completing a questionnaire with their owners. Pre- and post-adoption data were standardized and a PCA was run on the differences between these variables. A k-means cluster analysis was run on the six components, obtaining three groups of dogs: for groups one and two, changes in behavior after adoption seemed to be influenced by dog personality: bolder dogs (1st group) became more active, excitable and playful, showed increased aggressive behavior towards humans, and decreased anxious and submissive behavior towards dogs and humans; shyer dogs (2nd group) went in the opposite direction, displaying increased aggressive behavior. For the 3rd group, personality was not predictive of behavior changes. All the dog adoptions in this study were successful.

Pet and Stray Dogs as Reservoirs of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli.

The close contact between dogs and humans creates the best bridge for interspecies transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The surveillance of its resistance including the detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Escherichia coli as indicator bacteria is an important tool to control the use of antimicrobials. The aim of this research was to evaluate the E. coli resistance in strains by phenotypic methods, isolated from pet and stray dogs of La Plata city, Argentina. Faecal samples were collected using rectal swabs from 50 dogs with owners (home dogs = HD) and 50 homeless dogs (stray dogs = SD). They were cultured in 3 MacConkey agar plates, with and without antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime). 197 strains were isolated, of which only 95 strains were biochemically identified as E. coli, 46 strains were from HD, and 49 were from SD. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. The most prevalent resistance was for tetracycline, streptomycin, and ampicillin. In both groups, the level of resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins was high, and there were multiresistant strains. There was a higher level of antimicrobial resistance in strains from SD compared to HD. There were 8% of strains suspected of being ESBLs among samples of HD and 36% of SD. One (2%) of the strains isolated from HD and 11 (22%) from SD were phenotypically confirmed as ESBL. Pets and stray dogs are a potential source of E. coli antibiotic resistance in Argentina; therefore, its surveillance must be guaranteed.

Ecological role of homeless dogs in anthropogenic territories

The article presents materials of long-term observations for homeless dogs in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. Dogs that have passed the path of their domestication are currently showing the opposite process - feralization. According to unofficial data, there are tens of thousands of stray animals in Kazan alone. As the dominant land-based predators, and not only in cities, but also in the suburbs of settlements, they pose a threat to biodiversity in various ecosystems. Stray dogs are indicated as a limiting factor for the large jerboa and speckled ground squirrel included in the Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Прасобаки, собаки и их будущее

The possible scenarios of the transformation of ancient now extinct wolves into a proto-dogs and the domestication of the latter, which could occur repeatedly, often ending for various reasons, are considered. It is noted that only a few ancient dog breeds are similar to their wolf ancestors and the Siberian Husky stands out among them, especially given the fact that now there is more and more evidence that the ancestral home of dogs is Siberia. Attention is drawn to a certain amazing attitude of people in modern society not to dogs themselves, but to their reflection as part of our life, when the word "dog" is often used in everyday speech mainly with a negative connotation. The future of dogs is also predicted, assuming their total DNA registration, which can bring a lot of benefits to both the whole society and its individual members in the form of dog breeders, and to the dogs themselves, as a result of which homeless stray dogs will no longer appear, posing a serious threat to human health and life, and the urban environment, including park areas, will become cleaner.

Emerging source of infection – Mycobacterium tuberculosis in rescue dogs: a case report

Rescue dog activity is a heavily increasing form of dog charity. Imported homeless dogs represent a reservoir of zoonotic diseases putting owners, veterinarians and pathologists repeatedly at risk. The clinical signs of tuberculosis in a dog are non-specific and diagnosis is often delayed or dismissed. We present a case of 9 months of possible exposure at home and definite exposure at laparotomy and autopsy to intestinal tuberculosis in a family dog imported from Romania to Finland. Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms started 2 years after the import. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting proceeded and led to spontaneous death. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the liver, lymph nodes and intestine at autopsy. Exposed persons were notified and follow-up was provided, and no further infections were identified within 12 months of follow-up. The heavily increasing import of companion animals presents unexpected public health risks, such as prolonged exposure to tuberculosis, of which the general public is not aware. The dramatic consequences and high costs of tuberculosis could be reduced through accessible information of the risks of imported animals to both the general public and veterinarians, in addition to availability of rapid diagnostics and proper personal protection.

Prevalence of heartworm in relocated, local and outreach clinic dogs: A Canadian sheltering perspective

This study reports heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) prevalence in dogs tested by an animal shelter located in a low-prevalence region of Ontario, Canada. From 2015–2018, 4567 unique dogs were tested. The prevalence of heartworm was 3.9 %, with sub-prevalence of 0.3 % (2/662) for dogs surrendered within the Greater Toronto Area (both dogs were originally imported from the US); 6.6 % (130/1,981) for dogs relocated from beyond the Greater Toronto Area; 0% (0/1,668) for dogs tested at the shelter’s public veterinary services clinic and 18.4 % (47/256) for owned dogs tested at outreach clinics at a First Nations community in south-eastern Ontario. More than half (54.7 %) of the heartworm-positive dogs originated from Canada. Most heartworm-positive dogs from the US (72/80; 90 %) were transferred from Texas and Georgia.Ninety-three heartworm-positive Canadian dogs were from Ontario, 4 from Manitoba and 1 from Quebec. Most (83/98, 84.7 %) were from four First Nations communities. The prevalence in homeless dogs from one First Nations community in south-western Ontario was 36.5 % (31/85).For 140 shelter dogs with at least one positive test result, there was 91 % concordance between shelter and reference laboratory antigen tests and poor agreement between antigen tests and microfilarial tests (approximately 50 %). Results of historical tests and post-relocation antigen tests were discordant in 28.2 % (shelter point-of-care tests) and 36.2 % (reference laboratory tests) of cases. This was most commonly due to negative historical results followed by positive results after relocation. Microfilarial filtration tests were positive for 77.1 % antigen-positive dogs from First Nations communities, compared with 37.1 % of dogs from other sources. Microfilarial counts were significantly higher for dogs from First Nations communities.This study demonstrated endemic and hyperendemic foci of heartworm within Canada, which were presumed to be associated with limited access to veterinary care. The results support recommendations to retest previously negative animals after relocation.

First data on population of stray dogs in Rostov-on-Don

Animal populations in large cities have long been the subject of public and scientific discussions. In Russia, there are currently no federal laws regarding the management of stray animal populations. The most common and problematic animals in cities are dogs. Urban populations of homeless and stray dogs are an important link in the conservation and transmission of pathogens that can lead to the development of zooanthroposes.To regulate the situation associated with homeless and stray dogs, it is necessary to take into account their number, gender and age composition. These data allow the competent management of the population and timely take measures to regulate it. The first data on the population of stray dogs in Rostov-on-Don are presented in the article. For animal counting was used technique developed by the ICAM coalitionrepeatedly tested in different cities of Europe and shown its efficiency. To estimate the number of dogs, the city was divided into 59sectors approximately equal in area. Each sector was divided into four parts, one of them was counted, the rest of the data was extrapolated. In each sector, 2-3 volunteers worked, who recorded the dogs they met, noting at the same time their approximate age, gender, size, and possible health problems. All actions during the calculations were carried out using the Strays ID program installed on volunteers' smartphones. According to the results of calculations, the total number of stray dogs in the city is approximately 2 712 individuals. The data on the sexual composition of the population, the number of sick and damaged dogs, their physique, spatial distribution by city districts and density are discussed.

The threads that bind us.

The threads that bind us.

Comparative Evaluation of Single, Bilateral Intra-Testicular Injection of Hypertonic Saline Solution and Calcium Chloride as Chemical Sterilizing Agents in Male Cats

Homeless cats and dogs pose a major threat for the spreading of zoonotic diseases around the globe.

Survey of Massachusetts Animal Shelter Record-Keeping Practices in 2015

ABSTRACT The animal sheltering industry lacks standardized methods of data collection and analysis. The resulting lack of available data limits our understanding of the homeless animal population. The objective of this study was to better understand record-keeping practices and attitudes toward shelter statistics among Massachusetts shelter and rescue organizations and to identify barriers to data collection and analysis. A survey of 119 participants at Massachusetts sheltering organizations revealed that the animal welfare community held favorable attitudes toward data management and sharing, but desired additional resources and training to manage data more efficiently and effectively. While a large proportion of homeless dogs and cats in Massachusetts are handled by a small number of large organizations, there are also hundreds of smaller shelters, rescues and animal control officers in the system. Public agencies were the least likely to use electronic data-keeping means, and often cited lack of resources as a barrier. These results should prove useful not only in Massachusetts but for other regions hoping to improve data collection practices and for the evaluation of shelter statistics systems nationwide.

EPIZOOTOLOGY DIROFILARIASIS OF URBAN POPULATION IN DOGS OF IVANOVO REGION

In recent years, in the European part of the Russian Federation, there has been an increase of invasions transmitted through blood-sucking insects – mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, Culex, Anopheles, which are intermediate hosts of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, which parasitize carnivorous animals. In the Ivanovo region, the extensiveness of dirofilaria invasion in residential and stray dogs is 2.6 and 5.3%, respectively. In the period 2010–2018 we examined dogs located in the territory of the regional center – the city of Ivanovo and cities of regional significance. The study was subjected to 95 stray, 743 mongrel dogs and 844 dogs of various breeds. Our research showed that microfilariae were found in 48 dogs in the territory of the cities of the Ivanovo region, the average extensiveness of invasion was 2.8% with an invasion intensity of 1-36 larvae in the field of view of the microscope. The infection of dogs with dirofilariae over the years ranged from 2.3% to 3.11%. In carnivores, we diagnosed only one type of pathogen – Dirofilaria repens. The greatest extensiveness of dirofilaria invasion was found in fighting dogs (16.6%), homeless (stray) dogs (5.3%). Microdirulence of the service dogs, street mongrel dogs and hunting breeds were microorganisms, respectively, 3.1%, 3.0% and 2.6%. Dogs living in the houses and apartments of their owners, both decorative and mongrel, were infested by dirofilaria larvae to a lesser extent 2.3–2.0%. The extensiveness of invasion of the examined pedigree dogs ranged from 0.8% to 100% and averaged 2.7%. The average invasion of mongrel domestic dogs was 2.7%.

Dog importation and changes in heartworm prevalence in Colorado 2013\u20132017

BackgroundAnimal welfare organizations, in order to increase dog adoptions and reduce euthanasia of homeless dogs, are transporting large numbers of dogs from state-to-state. Only approximately 1/3 of animal welfare organizations reportedly test for heartworm infection, treat, or provide heartworm prevention prior to transporting dogs. The reported prevalence of heartworms in dogs in animal shelters or rescued following natural disasters ranges between 14.6–48.8%. This analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between dog importation and heartworm prevalence in dogs in Colorado.MethodsData were obtained from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) interactive heartworm prevalence maps and the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pet Animal Care Facilities Program (PACFA) in order to analyze the relationship between dog importation and the changes in prevalence of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in Colorado from 2013 to 2017.ResultsThe prevalence of heartworms in Colorado dogs has increased 67.5% between 2013–2017. From 2014 to 2017, more than 114,000 dogs were imported into Colorado by over 130 animal shelters and rescue organizations, which could represent approximately 9.5% of the total estimated 2017 Colorado dog population of nearly 1.2 million dogs. Three large Colorado-based organizations responded to requests for details regarding the originating states from which they received dogs. The majority of these dogs were apparently shipped to Colorado from states with higher heartworm prevalence. New Mexico represented the source of the greatest number of relocated dogs, accounting for just over 30%. Nearly half (49%) of the dogs relocated by these three organizations came from either Texas or Oklahoma.ConclusionsAnimal welfare organizations and veterinarians should increase the testing and prevention of heartworm infections in dogs both prior to, and following, transportation from areas with high heartworm prevalence. Repeated testing is recommended due to the 6-month pre-patent-period associated with D. immitis. Veterinarians and pet owners should increase vigilance with heartworm testing and prevention, even in areas with historically low heartworm prevalence. Movement of dogs from highly endemic areas may increase the risks of local transmission.

Mоnitoring the features of the episothology of the talk in scada district of Kherson region

Mоnitoring the features of the episothology of the talk in scada district of Kherson region

Anthrozoology in Action: Performing Cognitive Training Paths in a Garden Shelter to Make Dogs More Suitable as Pets

ABSTRACTThe overpopulation of shelters and the increase of homeless dogs have become serious problems in many countries. One contributor to the number of both sheltered and homeless dogs is the abandonment and relinquishment of pet dogs by their owners for different reasons – in many cases depending on dogs’ undesirable or problematic behaviors. Luckily, the behavioral characteristics of a dog are, to some extent, modifiable parameters. The aim of this study was to train the dogs housed in a garden shelter in Italy to become suitable as pets by becoming familiar to different tools and situations that they could encounter in a domestic setting through a customized educational path based on social and environmental enrichment. Shelters can hardly afford the expenses for administering training to dogs. The problem could be overcome by engaging the best graduating students attending referenced training schools, whose mission is to train professionals with high theoretical and practical skills. Shelters’ administrators should choose referenced schools only, that teach positive training methods respectful of animals and that support the human–animal bond.