Birth and Death Rate Estimates of Cats and Dogs in U.S. Households and Related Factors

Im, Piljae; Kelch, William J.; Hutchison, Jennifer; Salman, Mo; King, Michael G.; Scarlett, Janet M.; Kass, Philip H.

doi:10.1207/s15327604jaws0704_1

Cited by 77 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Approximately 1 million dogs and 2 million cats are adopted from animal shelters each year [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], meaning that about 23% of all owned dogs and 25% of owned cats were selected from shelters [ 1 , 4 ]. While there have been several studies investigating the change in the human-animal bond when an animal is relinquished to a shelter [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], there has been little inquiry or clear findings regarding how and why a particular animal is initially selected in a shelter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Did You Choose This Pet?: Adopters and Pet Selection Preferences in Five Animal Shelters in the United States

Weiss

Miller

Mohan‐Gibbons

et al. 2012

Animals

146

107

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Simple SummaryThis study examined reasons why adopters chose their pet in an animal shelter, what behaviors were first exhibited by the pet to the adopter, what information was important during their selection process, and the relative importance of seeing the animals’ behavior in various contexts.AbstractResponses from an adopter survey (n = 1,491) determined reasons for pet selection, type of information received by the adopter, and the context in which the animal’s behavior was observed. Appearance of the animal, social behavior with adopter, and personality were the top reasons for adoption across species and age groups. Most adopters stated that information about the animal from a staff member or volunteer was more important than information on cage cards, and health and behavior information was particularly important. Adopters found greater importance in interacting with the animal rather than viewing it in its kennel. The results of this study can be used by shelters to create better adoption matches, prioritize shelter resources and staff training, and potentially increase adoptions. Additionally, some simple training techniques are suggested to facilitate adopter-friendly behaviors from sheltered dogs and cats.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Did You Choose This Pet?: Adopters and Pet Selection Preferences in Five Animal Shelters in the United States

Weiss

Miller

Mohan‐Gibbons

et al. 2012

Animals

146

107

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the United States, millions of cats enter animal shelters each year [ 1 , 2 ]. The handling, housing, and disposition ( i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical and Behavioral Measures that Predict Cats’ Socialization in an Animal Shelter Environment during a Three Day Period

Slater

Garrison

Miller

et al. 2013

Animals

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Simple SummaryInformation from surveys completed by the cats’ caregivers provided a score for the level of socialization of cats. We examined the effectiveness of structured assessments and measures in their ability to distinguish More and Less Socialized cats in a shelter-like setting over a three day period. Statistical models were developed that best predicted More and Less Socialized cats. Measures from these models were used to calculate a point system where more points indicated more socialization. In combination with key socialized behaviors, these points were able to fairly accurately distinguish More Socialized from Less Socialized cats. AbstractAnimal welfare organizations typically take in cats with unknown levels of socialization towards humans, ranging from unsocialized cats well-socialized but lost pets. Agencies typically determine the socialization status and disposition options of cats within three days, when even a well-socialized pet may be too frightened of the unfamiliar surroundings to display its typical behavior. This is the third part of a three-phase project to develop and evaluate a reliable and valid tool to predict cats’ socialization levels. We recruited cats from the full spectrum of socialization and, using information from the cats’ caregivers regarding typical behavior toward familiar and unfamiliar people, assigned each cat to a Socialization Category. This information was compared to the cats’ behavior during three days of structured assessments conducted in a shelter-like setting. The results of logistic regression modeling generated two models using assessments from the mornings of the second and third day, focusing on predicting shyer or more aloof but socialized cats. Using the coefficients from each of these models, two sets of points were calculated which were useful in differentiating More and Less Socialized cats. In combination with key socialized behaviors, these points were able to fairly accurately identify More and Less Socialized cats.

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“…It is estimated that 180 million kittens are born in the United States each year, and inestimable numbers of these kittens are abandoned, orphaned, or relinquished to be fostered by thousands of U.S. animal shelters (13)(14)(15). While the exact statistics are unknown, approximately 15% of kittens fostered by these shelters will die or be euthanized because of severe illness before they reach 8 weeks of age (Jim Babbitt, chief veterinarian, San Diego Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [SPCA], and Mondy Lamb, marketing director, Wake County, NC, SPCA, personal communications).…”

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confidence: 99%

Association of Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with Diarrhea and Related Mortality in Kittens

et al. 2017

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Diarrhea is responsible for the death of approximately 900,000 children per year worldwide. In children, typical enteropathogenic (EPEC) is a common cause of diarrhea and is associated with a higher hazard of death. Typical EPEC infection is rare in animals and poorly reproduced in experimental animal models. In contrast, atypical EPEC (aEPEC) infection is common in both children and animals, but its role in diarrhea is uncertain. Mortality in kittens is often attributed to diarrhea, and we previously identified enteroadherent EPEC in the intestines of deceased kittens. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and type of EPEC in kittens and whether infection was associated with diarrhea, diarrhea-related mortality, gastrointestinal pathology, or other risk factors. Kittens with and without diarrhea were obtained from two shelter facilities and determined to shed atypical EPEC at a culture-based prevalence of 18%. In contrast, quantitative PCR detected the presence of the gene for intimin () in feces from 42% of kittens. aEPEC was isolated from kittens with and without diarrhea. However, kittens with diarrhea harbored significantly larger quantities of aEPEC than kittens without diarrhea. Kittens with aEPEC had a significantly greater severity of small intestinal and colonic lesions and were significantly more likely to have required subcutaneous fluid administration. These findings identify aEPEC to be prevalent in kittens and a significant primary or contributing cause of intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, dehydration, and associated mortality in kittens.

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Birth and Death Rate Estimates of Cats and Dogs in U.S. Households and Related Factors

Cited by 77 publications

References 10 publications

Why Did You Choose This Pet?: Adopters and Pet Selection Preferences in Five Animal Shelters in the United States

Why Did You Choose This Pet?: Adopters and Pet Selection Preferences in Five Animal Shelters in the United States

Physical and Behavioral Measures that Predict Cats’ Socialization in an Animal Shelter Environment during a Three Day Period

Association of Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with Diarrhea and Related Mortality in Kittens

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