ABSTRACT

Animal sheltering organizations in the United States offer programs to support dog ownership, yet little is known about what has been implemented across the U.S. In order to systematically examine factors sheltering organizations believe contribute to canine relinquishment and identify what programs they employ to address relinquishment in their communities, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of U.S. animal sheltering organizations. In total, 111 participants from organizations serving dogs completed the organizational survey. Organizations believed a lack of access to affordable veterinary and behavioral services as well as affordable pet-friendly housing were common reasons for dog relinquishment. Most organizations offered at least one program to address relinquishment such as behavior helplines, pet food banks, and veterinary care. Reasons for discontinuing a program or not being able offer a program that was desired included lack of staff and other resources. Given limited resources, animal welfare organizations should strategically develop programs for their individual communities and actively work to partner with the veterinary and the canine behavior profession to provide necessary medical and behavioral resources.

摘要

美国的动物庇护组织提供了支持狗拥有权的计划，但对于在美国各地实施的计划知之甚少，为了系统地检查庇护组织认为导致犬只放弃的因素，并确定他们采用了哪些计划来解决犬只放弃的问题。社区，我们对美国动物庇护组织进行了横断面在线调查。总共有111位来自服务犬的组织的参与者完成了组织调查。组织认为，缺乏获得负担得起的兽医和行为服务以及负担得起的宠物友好住房是放弃狗的常见原因。大多数组织提供了至少一项解决放弃问题的计划，例如行为帮助专线，宠物食品银行和兽医护理。中止计划或无法提供所需计划的原因包括人员不足和其他资源。在资源有限的情况下，动物福利组织应从战略上为其个人社区制定计划，并积极与兽医和犬类行为专业合作，以提供必要的医疗和行为资源。