Successful and Unsuccessful PET Adoptions

Abstract

To investigate possible reasons why millions of cats and dogs are adopted and then rejected each year, 120 male and 223 female adopters from the San Francisco Bay Area shelters completed George's Pet Expectations Inventory, which rates the physical, emotional, and intellectual effects of roles pets are expected to play, and the 50 fathers and 89 mothers rated the roles expected to affect their children's lives. Six-month phone call follow-ups ascertained whether they still had the adopted pet, and if not, why not. Analysis of responses indicated that: (1) subjects who already had or previously had pets retained significantly more newly adopted pets than those who had never had pets. (2) Men rejected a significantly higher percentage of pets than did women, as did significantly more parents than nonparents. (3) Although there were no significant differences in total scores between subjects who retained and those who rejected pets either for themselves or for their children, specific role expectations differed considerably between men and women, parents and nonparents, and retainers and rejecters. Adopters held higher expectations for dogs than for cats. Present results could help shelter workers reduce the number of adopted pets abandoned and euthanized.

An Investigation of the Complexities of Successful and Unsuccessful Guide Dog Matching and Partnerships

“…These numbers also relate to the 16.0% of pet dogs adopted from animal shelters in New Zealand returned for unacceptable behaviors (36). Breakdowns in the owner–pet relationship may occur because the owner has unrealistic expectations of the role of a pet and/or is ignorant of breed-specific behaviors, and the time and money required for maintenance (37). Although guide dogs are provided free of charge in many countries, and guide dog schools protect the dogs’ welfare in cases of hardship, the use of guide dogs can be expensive.…”

Evaluation of association between retention in the home and attendance at puppy socialization classes

“…9 Adopters' lack of information and understanding may be a reason why certain humane society pet adoptions are unsuccessful. 10,11 According to 1 study, 7 owners who received helpful advice on pet behavior were at 94% lower risk for relinquishing their pet than owners who received advice that was not helpful.…”

“…This finding is consistent with findings in other studies. 7,[9][10][11] Small children compete for the time and attention of adults, and having a puppy increases the responsibility for the adults in the home. Children are often the reason behind acquiring a dog; however, unrealistic expectations make relinquishment more likely.…”

The Bond That Never Developed: Adoption and Relinquishment of Dogs in a Rescue Shelter

“…According to statistics from U.S. animal shelters, millions of dogs are surrendered to these facilities every year (Houpt, Utter Honig, & Reisner, 1996;Kidd, Kidd, & George, 1992). To delineate the issue of the companion animal surplus in the United States, the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy coordinated three studies: The National Household Survey, The Regional Shelter Survey, and the Shelter Statistic Study (Salman et al, 1998).…”