Factors Informing the Return of Adopted Dogs and Cats to an Animal Shelter

Hawes, Sloane M.; Kerrigan, Josephine; Hupe, Tess M.; Morris, Kevin N.

doi:10.3390/ani10091573

Cited by 37 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Behavioral issues were a key reason for return of both dogs and cats, which parallels the current body of evidence and affirms the importance of animal behavior in the development of a positive human-animal relationship 8 , 9 , 12 , 18 . Charleston Animal Society provides a multitude of behavioral support services for adopters, although data regarding the utilization of these services was not available.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

“…Behavioral problems are reported as a key reason for unsuccessful dog adoptions worldwide 6 , 8 , 17 , 18 . A recent study of 102 returned dogs at a shelter in Texas found 56% of dogs were returned due to behavioral issues, 31% were returned for owner-related reasons and 9% were returned for medical needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study of 102 returned dogs at a shelter in Texas found 56% of dogs were returned due to behavioral issues, 31% were returned for owner-related reasons and 9% were returned for medical needs. Aggression towards humans and animals were listed as the two most common return reasons 18 . In the UK, 59% of dogs returned to Dogs Trust shelters occurred due to behavioral problems, with dogs displaying aggression towards people having the highest likelihood of return 8 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The primary factors that drive cat returns are less clear cut 5 , 18 , 19 . Hawes, et al 18 found that cats were returned more frequently due to owner-related reasons than animal-based reasons, such as moving, inability to afford basic care and medical needs of the adopter. However, when considering the return reasons individually, aggression towards humans and destructive tendencies were ranked as the second and equal third most common reasons 18 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hawes, et al 18 found that cats were returned more frequently due to owner-related reasons than animal-based reasons, such as moving, inability to afford basic care and medical needs of the adopter. However, when considering the return reasons individually, aggression towards humans and destructive tendencies were ranked as the second and equal third most common reasons 18 . Other studies have reported behavior as the most prevalent return reason, although allergies to the cat and owner circumstances also led to a number of unsuccessful adoptions 5 , 19 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes

Powell

Reinhard

Satriale³

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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A considerable number of adopted animals are returned to animal shelters post-adoption which can be stressful for both the animal and the owner. In this retrospective analysis of 23,932 animal records from a US shelter, we identified animal characteristics associated with the likelihood of return, key return reasons, and outcomes post-return for dogs and cats. Binary logistic regression models were used to describe the likelihood of return, return reason and outcome based on intake age, intake type, sex, breed and return frequency. Behavioral issues and incompatibility with existing pets were the most common return reasons. Age and breed group (dogs only) predicted the likelihood of return, return reason and post-adoption return outcome. Adult dogs had the greatest odds of post-adoption return (OR 3.40, 95% CI 2.88–4.01) and post-return euthanasia (OR 3.94, 95% CI 2.04–7.59). Toy and terrier breeds were 65% and 35% less likely to be returned compared with herding breeds. Pit bull-type breeds were more likely to be returned multiple times (X2 = 18.11, p = 0.01) and euthanized post-return (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.47–4.61). Our findings highlight the importance of animal behavior in the retention of newly adopted animals and provide useful direction for allocation of resources and future adoption counselling and post-adoption support services.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes

Powell

Reinhard

Satriale³

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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A comparison of paired‐ and multiple‐stimulus‐without‐replacement preference assessments to identify reinforcers for dog behavior

Payne,

Fulgencio,

Aniga

2023

J Exper Analysis Behavior

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Dogs may be relinquished to shelters and are unlikely to be adopted if they engage in problem behavior. A successful way to eliminate problem behavior is through training techniques based on behavioral principles. Obedience training with the use of positive reinforcement has been successful in treating problematic behavior by dogs. In order for this method to work, it is essential that the stimuli selected function as reinforcers. Preference assessments can be used to identify these potential reinforcers. A preference assessment is a systematic method used to identify stimuli that may serve as possible reinforcers by yielding preference hierarchies. Although preference and reinforcer assessments have been successfully used with humans, research with nonhuman animals is limited. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and efficiency of paired‐stimulus preference assessment with a multiple‐stimulus preference assessment. The results suggested that the results of both preference assessments corresponded with reinforcer assessments but that the paired‐stimulus method was the most efficient.

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Research on the Strategy of Digital Services in the Adoption Scene of Pet Shelters

Liu

2023

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

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Factors Informing the Return of Adopted Dogs and Cats to an Animal Shelter

Cited by 37 publications

References 44 publications

Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes

Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes

A comparison of paired‐ and multiple‐stimulus‐without‐replacement preference assessments to identify reinforcers for dog behavior

Research on the Strategy of Digital Services in the Adoption Scene of Pet Shelters

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