Search Results (336)

Municipal conversion of dog shelters from contracted to direct operation often coincides with changes in facilities, staffing, veterinary access, adoption practices, euthanasia policy, and record keeping. The primary objective was to evaluate associations with municipality-level disposition and throughput outcomes; a secondary exploratory objective examined dog-level adoption and euthanasia pathways. We analyzed 68,032 dogs from 22 municipalities in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, during 2016–2025. The primary difference-in-differences comparison included four municipalities that converted around 2021 and nine contracted controls. Event-study, exact label-permutation, and comparison-pool analyses served as diagnostics. Estimates were imprecise, no exact permutation p-value was below 0.05, and adoption and euthanasia had different pre-conversion trends. Excluding five newly digitized controls changed the adoption estimate from +4.65 to −1.86 percentage points. Censor-aware analysis estimated 13.33 additional days without a recorded disposition during the first year, but uncertainty was wide and the day-365 unresolved difference was small. In the secondary 35,366-dog subframe, mixed/Jindo-type outdoor dogs had a lower adoption hazard ratio (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.35–0.45) and a higher euthanasia HR (1.61; 95% CI, 1.37–1.90). Direct operation was not supported as a uniform causal intervention; municipalities should evaluate welfare and management components and target support to dogs at elevated risk. Full article

In animal shelters, the census (in-care population) changes when monthly intakes and outcomes are not balanced, and census changes may in turn affect subsequent intakes and outcomes. This observational, retrospective study examined these relationships using monthly dog statistics from the Shelter Animals Count database for United States government-related (GRO) and non-government (NGO) sheltering organizations over 2022–2024. Two linear regression models were applied: a concurrent model that decomposes single-month imbalances by intake and outcome type, and a cumulative model that estimates the effect of past census changes on subsequent monthly intakes and outcomes. Concurrent imbalances involved larger contributions from intakes than outcomes for both organization types. Accumulated past census increments dissipated predominantly through increased outcomes rather than reduced intakes, with adoptions making the largest absolute contribution; noncommunity live outcomes and nonlive outcomes were markedly overrepresented relative to their average shares. The implied time for 95% census recovery averaged approximately 7.6 months for GRO and 5.2 months for NGO. The marginal live release rate fell below the bulk average for GRO (85.8% vs. 90.1%) but not for NGO (96.8% vs. 96.6%). These findings argue against assumptions of fixed adoption or transfer capacity and support a view in which census perturbations are dampened (through shelter efforts) rather than permanent or unbounded. Full article

Rationale: This research explores the connections between shelter and rescue revenues and expenses and live release outcomes, specifically focusing on the implications of a nonprofit having a government contract to provide animal control and welfare services. Methods: Two data sources were used for the project: nonprofit I990s as reported to the Internal Revenue Service (for financial data) and live release data from Shelter Animals Count (to measure shelter outcomes). The project focuses on financing for nonprofit shelters and rescues and 252 organizations from the Shelter Animals Count database, classified as nonprofits with and without government contracts, were used in the analysis. Data on revenue and expenditures were pulled from the nonprofit 990s using the GuideStar website. Results: Two variables—relinquishment rate and diversification of revenue—account for 40% of the variation in live release rates. Organizations with greater diversification of revenue have significantly higher live release rates and those with higher numbers of relinquished animals have lower ones. Conclusions: The study concludes that: a more even distribution of revenue between donations, programs, and government contracts for service is related to better outcomes; it is not so much whether a shelter or rescue has a government contract, but the portion of its revenue provided by the contract that is related to live release rates; and, overall, there are few significant relationships between revenue, expenditures, and outcomes. Full article

Vaccination is a fundamental tool for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in canine shelters, where high population density and frequent animal turnover increase the risk of pathogen transmission. However, in Italy there is currently no unified regulatory framework governing vaccination protocols for shelter dogs. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate vaccination protocols and preventive health practices adopted in canine shelters in the province of Bologna (Northern Italy). Data were collected through on-site visits and review of institutional documentation and collection of information from shelter personnel using a structured data collection instrument designed to gather information on vaccination protocols, vaccine types, administration intervals, epidemiological history of the facilities, and preventive measures. Additionally, vaccination records from a sample of dogs in each shelter were examined to compare the protocols formally adopted with the vaccinations actually administered. The analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity among shelters in the vaccination protocols applied, largely reflecting the professional discretion of veterinary practitioners. Furthermore, several inconsistencies and errors in vaccination schedules were identified, which may compromise immunological protection within the shelter population. These findings underline the importance of implementing standardized vaccination protocols tailored to the local epidemiological context to improve disease prevention and health management in canine shelters. Full article

Stress is a major influencing behavior, health, and welfare in free-roaming dogs, particularly in environments characterized by unpredictability, social instability, and frequent human interactions. Although research on canine stress responses has expanded considerably, current knowledge remains fragmented across the neurobiological, physiological, and behavioral domains, limiting the development of comprehensive welfare assessment strategies. Importantly, free-roaming and shelter-housed dogs should not be viewed as entirely separate populations, since many shelter dogs originate from free-roaming environments and share similar stress-related experiences. This narrative review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence on stress mechanisms in free-roaming and shelter-housed dogs The literature was explored across major scientific databases, and a total of 69 relevant studies were included. Particular emphasis was placed on the activation and regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, associated neuroendocrine alterations, and their behavioral expression. The strengths and limitations of commonly used physiological indicators, including cortisol measured in blood, saliva, feces and hair, were critically examined in relation to their applicability in real-world contexts. Behavioral manifestations of stress, such as fear- and anxiety-related responses, aggression, withdrawal, and stereotypic behaviors, were analyzed as functional outcomes of neurobiological activation and environmental challenges. Environmental stressors typical of shelter conditions as well as the role of human–dog interactions in stress modulation are also discussed. By combining neurobiological, physiological, and behavioral perspectives, this review highlights the importance of multidimensional stress assessment and proposes a conceptual framework linking biological mechanisms with observable behavioral indicators of welfare across the continuum from free-roaming to shelter environments. These findings may support the development of evidence-based welfare assessment and management strategies for free-roaming and shelter-housed dog populations. Full article

As animal shelters strive to promote positive welfare and successfully place dogs into adoptive homes as functional pets, the ability to identify dogs that may not be coping well within the shelter is critical. Although traditional behavior evaluations may serve multiple purposes, one of their primary purposes in animal shelters has been to predict how dogs may behave after adoption. Most traditional tests utilize a series of provocative and often artificial interactions, despite mixed evidence to support their predictive value. This study examined the reliability and validity of the LIFE (Living Interactions and Functionality Evaluation) tool, an observational assessment designed to evaluate canine coping abilities in real time within a shelter setting and identify dogs in need of intervention. Over 800 dogs were evaluated during routine shelter interactions, including kennel handling, leash walking, and interactions with people and other dogs. Observable behaviors associated with positive or negative emotional states were assigned numerical values to generate objective coping scores, which were then compared with subjective classifications assigned by trained evaluators and an expert in animal behavior. Objective scores increased significantly across subjective classification categories and aligned closely with expert assessments across all evaluated contexts. Inter-rater reliability was high, supporting consistency between evaluators. These findings support the LIFE tool as a valid and reliable welfare-focused assessment approach for identifying dogs experiencing coping difficulties within shelter environments and guiding more targeted intervention strategies, with or without a behavior expert on staff. Full article

Free-living unowned cats are prevalent across the UK and may experience numerous welfare challenges. However, there is limited research around this. Cat shelter workers were interviewed on the complexities of unowned cat welfare and management, current barriers and recommended solutions. A total of 25 participants partook in semi-structured one-to-one interviews, which were thematically analysed. Some of the main welfare concerns described were overpopulation, health issues, the absence of preventative medical care, cruelty, and neglect. Key barriers included limited resources, funding, personnel and infrastructure, alongside inappropriate management of cats not suited to domestic lifestyles. External barriers included insufficient government support, limited public awareness around cat welfare issues, and fragmented care provision of cats within the community. Other overlapping barriers include inconsistent terminology use and management practices within shelters and communities. Participants recommended more strategic use of shelter resources towards population management programmes including TNR, professional staff training, and the standardisation of terms such as “stray” and “feral”. They advocated for a shared responsibility framework for unowned cats involving animal welfare organisations, the veterinary sector, communities, and the government. This would include stronger collaboration between charities to share knowledge and establish industry best practice, alongside greater government support through the introduction and enforcement of legislation. Full article

Hurricanes cause severe impacts on lives, livelihoods, and essential systems. Hurricane Melissa impacted Jamaica as a Category 5 cyclone, resulting in estimated losses of approximately 41% of national GDP (US$8.8 billion) and eliciting widespread damage to housing, healthcare, agriculture, and urban infrastructure. Agriculture sustained heavy losses, with 41,000 hectares of damaged farmland and the loss of more than 1 million livestock animals. These impacts resulted in exposed animal closures with biological hazards. Using systems thinking, the PESTHEEL framework, and a One Health lens, we argue for viewing Hurricane Melissa as series of cascading inter-related One Health threats of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, degraded indoor and outdoor air quality, chemical pollution, and shifting migration and border dynamics. These each unfold at different timings. A structured synthesis for Jamaica and other Caribbean Small Island Developing States is provided by integrating systems thinking, One Health, and the PESTHEEL framework. Immediate and lagged risk pathways are identified, and practical risk reduction actions are proposed to support anticipatory, multisectoral recovery: enhanced syndromic, laboratory, wastewater, vector, and rodent surveillance; resilient WASH and shelter systems; non-insecticidal and integrated vector management; biosecure aid and border protocols; environmental toxicology monitoring; and climate–health intelligence. Full article

Estimates suggest that approximately 400 million dogs are kept as pets worldwide. Despite their popularity, around 10% to 30% are surrendered to rescue shelters each year. Shelter workers play a pivotal role in the success of dog adoptions and provide ongoing support to help owners keep these dogs in their homes. However, research that captures their perspectives and experiences regarding the dog adoption process remains limited. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland shelter teams participated in six focus group discussions to share their perspectives and experiences of the dog adoption process in their shelters. Reflexive thematic analysis of the gathered data generated three themes: 1. “Doing great adoptions” starts with an inclusive, well-resourced application process and a skilled team. 2. Finding the right fit involves navigating the duality of carer and advocate through honest, informative interactions with the whole family. 3. Successful outcomes involve supporting and educating the public to care for and keep their dog. This grounded understanding of the challenges facing shelters in their work could provide valuable feedback to help shelter leaders and staff develop policies and practices that support positive adoption outcomes, tailor programmes to local needs, and reduce return rates. Full article

Understanding how individuals decide to adopt shelter dogs remains a significant challenge within animal welfare research, as existing studies identify correlates of adoption outcomes without explaining the underlying decision process. This hypothesis introduces a conceptual framework that synthesizes empirical findings from dog adoption studies with interdisciplinary theories to explain how adoption decisions emerge. Using a signal-to-noise perspective, the framework conceptualizes early bond formation between a potential adopter and a dog as a valuation signal that competes with uncertainty arising throughout the process. The functional model describes the adoption process as a lifecycle involving search, visitation, interaction, and decision phases, during which potential adopters seek information, evaluate available dogs, and form perceptions of compatibility. Interdisciplinary decision models, including Prospect Theory and the Diffusion Decision Model, are integrated to explain how information is framed, evaluated, and accumulated until a decision is reached. Empirical findings from human–dog interaction research are used to support the hypothesis that potential adopters evaluate companionship potential based on early bond formation associated with human–dog interactions. The framework offers a broad perspective on how adoption decisions may occur and establishes a theoretical foundation to guide future hypothesis development, measurement, and experimental research in companion animal adoption. Full article

Individuals in the southeastern United States of America (USA) have an increasing risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. Land use changes, changing climate, and redistribution of both ticks and their hosts make systematic tick and tick-borne pathogen investigation crucial for public health protection. Prior to 2020, South Carolina had limited data on tick species distribution and tick infection rates. In this work, we describe establishment of a sustainable tick and tick-borne pathogen collaborative network for South Carolina. A major determinant of program success was sharing work effort between the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Public Health, and key partners including state park employees, local veterinarians, students, and volunteers. The program collected questing ticks from public lands and host-attached ticks from animal shelters. Amblyomma americanum was the most commonly collected tick, with highest density in South Carolina’s southern coastal region. A greater tick species diversity was seen in animal shelter collected versus questing ticks. Pathogen testing results yielded a high presence of Rickettsia amblyommatis among Am. americanum ticks with several other Rickettsia spp. detected including Rickettsia parkeri, Candidatus R. andeanae, R. montanensis, and R. asembonensis. Additional Rickettsiales detected included multiple Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species, with higher presence in the state’s northern region. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was detected in one questing Ixodes keiransi from the southern coastal region. The current report presents the initial steps for pathogen and tick species surveillance in South Carolina, providing successes and pitfalls as a model for other states and regions to establish similar efforts to improve national tick surveillance. Full article

Animal shelters operate under capacity constraints in which average length of stay (LOS) determines the number of animals in care and the resources required to maintain humane standards. Shelters commonly distinguish between fast-track animals, which are expected to be adopted quickly, and slow-track animals, which tend to remain longer. Many operational interventions, such as preferential kennel placement or active marketing, are limited resources that must be allocated among these groups. We developed a mathematical framework to evaluate how simple, broadly applicable interventions affect expected LOS as a function of an animal’s baseline LOS. We analyzed the impact of marketing interventions with multiplicatively higher adoption odds. We showed analytically that marketing interventions yield larger reductions in expected LOS when applied to slow-track animals. To examine population-level consequences, we constructed a steady-state kennel allocation example and validate the results using Monte Carlo simulation with stochastic intakes and adoptions. Across both analyses, prioritizing slow-track animals for marketing resources minimizes the total in-care census count relative to the opposite strategy. These findings provide a quantitative basis for allocating limited shelter resources. Preferential marketing of slow-track animals helps reduce mean LOS and maintain the in-care census count within capacity. Full article

Cats are among the most beloved and affectionate companion animals to humans. Historically, they have been utilised to manage pests or offer comfort and companionship, a practice that continues today. Due to human malpractice, unowned free-roaming cats (as stray pets or feral cats) are now considered amongst the 100 worst invasive species, and are responsible for the decline and even the disappearance of many wild species worldwide. Free-roaming cats maintain their hunting instincts, causing problems for native species, which is recognised as a major issue in island biodiversity. Despite their impact, limited studies have been conducted to understand the spatial activity of free-roaming cats in the Mediterranean when they are away from their caregivers (owners who feed and care for their cats while allowing unrestricted outdoor roaming). To investigate this, we used GPS tracking collars to monitor 15 free-roaming cats on the island of Cyprus, during spring–autumn 2022. The monitored cats were active in a spectrum of different habitats, from forests and farmland to shrublands and the suburbs. We monitored cats for 5.6 days, on average, to investigate their home range sizes (KDE 95%; median: males = 55,678 m²; females = 11,377 m²), daily distance travelled (median: males = 1233 m; females = 538 m), and daily/nocturnal activity, and the factors that influence these patterns. The animals’ sex, shelter availability, and the type of coverage in an area show statistically significant differences in relation to their home range, while activity peaked during the afternoon hours, a finding that is also statistically confirmed. Although the sample size of the study is relatively small, the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the home range of free-roaming cats in Cyprus is revealed. These findings offer quantitative evidence and can contribute to wildlife conservation and free-roaming cat management. Full article

Each year, millions of cats enter U.S. animal shelters, where black cats experience lower adoption rates. This study examined whether three factors contribute to this disparity: (1) superstitious beliefs, (2) projected skin-color bias, and (3) difficulty interpreting black cats’ emotions in online photographs sourced from Petfinder, an online searchable, adoption database. A total of 1004 U.S.-based participants completed a 10 min online survey in which they viewed 40 cat adoption advertisement photos: 10 each of black, white, orange tabby, and brown tabby cats. For each image, participants selected one of six basic emotions, rated their confidence, and judged the likelihood that the cat would be adopted within two weeks. Additional items measured superstition and skin-color bias. Black cats were rated as significantly less adoptable than other cats. Participants also attributed negative emotions, such as fear and anger, to black cats more frequently and reported lower confidence when interpreting their emotional expressions. Superstition and skin-color bias, however, did not significantly affect adoptability rating or emotional perception. These findings suggest that difficulty interpreting black cats’ emotional cues in photographs may increase perceptual uncertainty, which in turn influences judgments of adoptability. Full article

Enclosure space constitutes the fundamental habitat for captive animals, directly influencing domestication success and production performance. Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), an endangered ungulate present on the Tibet plateau and surrounding areas, has been commonly farmed in captivity as an essential strategy for the ex situ conservation and sustainable musk production. In captive musk deer farming, understanding spatial selection patterns within enclosures is critical for improving farming practices. To evaluate patterns of space use under captive conditions and the effect of enclosure designing, we studied 70 captive Alpine musk deer housed in 17 enclosures at the Zhuanglang Musk Deer Breeding Farm (Gansu, China) during the summer of 2022 (from July 1st to August 29th). Focal sampling and all-occurrence recording were adopted to collect the behavioral data of the musk deer, and the point occupancy rate was calculated to analyze the enclosure space utilization patterns. The results showed significant differences in activity site selection and shelter use time among captive musk deer (p < 0.05). The central enclosure site (G5), which contains the shelter, exhibited the highest utilization rate (21.21 ± 9.19%). Shelter use was significantly higher in adults (22.09 ± 7.80%) than in subadults (17.27 ± 3.98%) (p < 0.05), and significantly higher in males (29.55 ± 5.65%) than in females (20.86 ± 7.95%) (p < 0.05). However, at equal population density, the shelter use time between all-male and mixed-sex groups was not significant (p > 0.05). These results reveal that captive Alpine musk deer display distinct shelter use patterns, with shelters acting as key spatial resources. Therefore, this study provides practical implications for optimizing enclosure design (e.g., increasing shelter quantity and improving spatial distribution) to enhance the welfare and productivity of captive Alpine musk deer. Full article