Characteristics of Relinquished Dogs and Their Owners at 14 Rehoming Centers in the United Kingdom

Diesel, Gillian; Brodbelt, David; Pfeiffer, Dirk U.

doi:10.1080/10888700903369255

Cited by 123 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Therefore, a careful selection and education of the new owners is highly recommended [2]. Although no studies exist that tested these recommendations for laboratory beagles, Diesel et al [28, 40] confirmed their usefulness based on their experience with shelter dogs. Gazzano et al [41] showed that a 1-hour counseling of puppy owners reduced the occurrence of subsequent behavior problems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do rehomed laboratory beagles behave in everyday situations? Results from an observational test and a survey of new owners

Döring¹,

Nick²,

Bauer

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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When laboratory dogs are rehomed into private households, they experience an extreme change in their life situation. They leave their familiar, limited environment in the research facility and encounter a multitude of animate and inanimate stimuli in their new home. Although literature reports have described the experiences with rehoming as being mostly positive, scientific observations of the dogs in everyday situations have not been done. Hence, we conducted an observational test with 74 laboratory beagles 6 weeks after adoption in their new homes. This test included standardized tasks and elements; the dogs were observed during specific interactions with their new owners and during a walk. Furthermore, the owners of these 74 and of 71 additional dogs participated in standardized phone interviews 1 and 12 weeks after adoption, during which they answered questions about the dogs’ behavior in everyday situations. In the observational test, the dogs behaved mostly friendly towards humans and dogs, were tolerant during manipulations by the owner and were relaxed during the walk, even in traffic. Eighty percent (of n = 71) of the dogs walked well behaved on the leash without pulling. According to the interviews, the majority of the dogs showed desired, friendly and relaxed behavior, and the survey results reflected the bonding between dog and owner. The analysis of a possible influence of various factors (age, sex, origin, etc.) using mixed regression models confirmed the results from two previous behavior tests and interviews. Specifically, dogs that had been bred in the research facility scored significantly better than dogs that the research facility had purchased from commercial laboratory dog breeders (p = 0.0113). The results of this study demonstrate a successful adaptation of the rehomed beagles to their new life situation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do rehomed laboratory beagles behave in everyday situations? Results from an observational test and a survey of new owners

Döring¹,

Nick²,

Bauer

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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show abstract

“…It has been suggested that animals obtained at low or no cost are at increased risk of relinquishment, presumably because they may represent a less committed purchase [12]. Behavioural problems have been shown to increase the risk of relinquishment [29], and relinquishing owners have been shown to be relatively poorly informed on basic behaviour. For example, in one study >50% of relinquishing cat and dog owners thought that their animals misbehaved 'out of spite' [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demographics and economic burden of un-owned cats and dogs in the UK: results of a 2010 census

et al. 2012

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BackgroundThe population of dogs and cats passing through rescue shelters may be subject to compromised welfare and increased susceptibility to disease. Little information exists to describe this population, its dynamics and associated management practices. The aim of this study was to carry out a census of un-owned cats and dogs in the UK in 2010, and to document the origins, destinations, husbandry and costs associated with the care of these animals.ResultsA sampling frame was constructed by searching the databases of publicly registered charities for England, Scotland and Wales, registers of breed rescues, and by internet searches of animal welfare websites. Overall, 2,352 contacts for 1,380 organisations were identified. All were sent a postal questionnaire asking for data on the number of dogs and cats housed, their origins and eventual outcomes, and details of husbandry between January 1st and December 31st 2010. For those which were registered charities (595), financial records were also obtained.A response rate of 38.8% was obtained. Overall, in 2010, 89,571 dogs and 156,826 cats entered the care of the participating organisations. Approximately half of these animals were relinquished by their owners. Other origins included being found as strays or confiscated for welfare purposes. Seventy-five per cent of dogs and 77.1% of cats were rehomed. The next most common outcome was euthanasia, accounting for 10.4% of dogs and 13.2% cats. For dogs and cats, 44.3% and 62% of participants respectively reported having a waiting list, which frequently exceeded the actual capacity of the facility. Over 19,000 people were involved in the care of these animals, on a paid or voluntary basis. Financial records were available for 519/595 (87.2%) of the registered charities, and their total expenditure in 2010 was £340 million.ConclusionsThis study showed that a large number of animals become un-owned each year, which could have considerable implications for their welfare. Despite the resources expended, demand still exceeds capacity for many organisations, and a substantial number of both cats and dogs are euthanased, suggesting that further understanding of how and why these animals become un-owned is essential in order to target interventions.

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“…Previous studies have highlighted sex differences for the number of dogs and cats being relinquished to centers (Diesel, Brodbelt, & Pfeiffer, 2010;Lepper, Kass, & Hart, 2002;Salman et al, 1998), and Ulfsdotter et al (2016) also reported a 5.1% difference in the number of male and female rabbits being relinquished through online advertisements in Sweden, with more males being relinquished. Similar to the findings of Ulfsdotter et al,4.8% more male rabbits were relinquished in the present study.…”

Section: Rabbit Factorsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Analysis of Factors Relating to Companion Rabbits Relinquished to Two United Kingdom Rehoming Centers

Ellis

McCormick

Tinarwo

2017

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

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Rabbits are a common companion animal in the United Kingdom, and some reports have suggested that large numbers are relinquished to rehoming centers each year. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of rabbits relinquished to 2 UK rehoming centers and explore reasons given for relinquishment. The centers contributed data for all rabbits who entered their center during 2013 (n = 205). Most rabbits (59.5%) were relinquished by a guardian. Similar numbers of males and females were relinquished, and a larger number of rabbits were not neutered (72.4%) and adults (56%). Most rabbits were healthy on arrival (61.5%). The most common reasons for relinquishment were: "too many rabbits/unplanned litters" (30.3%) and "housing problems" (23.8%). Rabbit-related reasons accounted for 12.2% of rabbits relinquished. Reasons for relinquishment were associated with 1 of the recorded rabbit characteristics. Further detailed studies are needed to explore the dynamics of companion rabbit ownership and factors that affect the breakdown of rabbit-guardian relationships in the United Kingdom.

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Characteristics of Relinquished Dogs and Their Owners at 14 Rehoming Centers in the United Kingdom

Cited by 123 publications

References 19 publications

How do rehomed laboratory beagles behave in everyday situations? Results from an observational test and a survey of new owners

How do rehomed laboratory beagles behave in everyday situations? Results from an observational test and a survey of new owners

Demographics and economic burden of un-owned cats and dogs in the UK: results of a 2010 census

Analysis of Factors Relating to Companion Rabbits Relinquished to Two United Kingdom Rehoming Centers

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