Adoption and Relinquishment Interventions at the Animal Shelter: a Review

35 © 2017 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Animal Welfare 2017, 26: 35-48 The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, ISSN 0962-7286 Hertfordshire AL4 8AN, UK doi: 10.7120/09627286.26.1.035 www.ufaw.org.uk Adoption and relinquishment interventions at the animal shelter: a review A Protopopova* † and LM Gunter ‡ † Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA ‡ Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA * Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected] Abstract Each year, nearly 4 million dogs will enter one of over 13,000 animal shelters operating in the United States. We review programmes implemented at shelters aimed at increasing the likelihood of adoption. The morphology of shelter dogs plays a large role in in-kennel adopter selection, but their behaviour is also influential in out-of-kennel adopter interactions. Previous studies suggest that dogs have the ability to readily learn new behaviours at the shelter, and programmes designed to improve behaviour of the dogs can increase adoption rates. Whilst human interaction has been well-established to improve behavioural and physiological outcomes of dogs living in shelters, analysis of the effects of sensory, environmental, and social-conspecific enrichment has not resulted in clear conclusions. We also review the literature on the relinquishment of owned dogs and return rates of previously adopted dogs. Whilst owner- and dog-related risks to relinquishment are discussed, we show that there is a notable lack of research into programmes that address issues that may prevent the initial surrender of dogs to shelters, or that could prevent re-relinquishment. It is likely that factors, unrelated to the dog, play a larger role than previously believed. Suggestions for further research include multi-site studies, investiga - tions into the efficacy of in-shelter enrichment programmes, predictive validity of behavioural assessments, understanding of adopter behaviour at the shelter, and programmes within the community focused on keeping dogs in their homes. Keywords : adoption, animal shelter, animal welfare, dog, relinquishment, review Introduction However, findings from a 2010 census from the United The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Kingdom suggest that the number of owner-surrendered dogs Animals (ASPCA) estimates that over 13,000 animal may be nearer to 50% of that country’s shelter dogs (Stavisky shelters operate in the United States. Each year, nearly et al 2012) while in Australia that number is only 15% 4 million dogs will enter one of these shelters (ASPCA (Marston et al 2004). A majority of owner-surrendered dogs 2016). Recent survey data from the American Pet Products are young, intact and not purebred (New et al 2000). In Association (APPA) indicate that 54 million homes in the Patronek et al (1997), dogs relinquished to the shelter United States have a dog, with 78 million dogs living in accounted for nearly 4% of the canine population in the human households (APPA 2016), approximately 20% of community with authors noting that owners likely under- which were adopted from shelters (Campbell 2012). The reported surrendering their pets when questioned. number of dogs living in the US is comparable to that of Dogs entering as strays compose 53–83% of shelter Europe, where more than 80 million dogs live in over 20% canine populations (Wenstrup & Dowidchuk 1999; of the region’s households (The European Pet food Industry Lepper et al 2002; Marston et al 2004; Protopopova et al Federation [FEDIAF] 2014). The percentage of the US 2012). In a 2009 study investigating microchip prevalence population that is dog-owning has remained relatively in United States animal shelters, 58% of microchipped stable for the last twenty-five years (Scarlett 2013). dogs arrived as strays. Of those dogs, 52% were returned Dogs may arrive at the animal shelter in one of four ways: i) to their owners compared to 22% of the shelters’ total surrendered by their owners; ii) as strays; iii) returned to the stray dog population (Lord et al 2009). Overall, dogs that shelter after adoption; or iv) confiscated as part of cruelty and come into shelters but then are reunited with their owners criminal cases. Results from the National Council on Pet make up 13–23% the shelter dog population, with older Population Study and Policy’s survey of 4,700 United States dogs having higher rates of being reclaimed than those shelters from 1994–1995 indicate that close to 30% of dogs under six months of age (Zawistowski et al 1998; that entered shelters did so as owner-surrenders (Zawistowski Wenstrup & Dowidchuk 1999; Bartlett et al 2005). et al 1998). This complements more recent statistics from the Calculations about the number of dogs returned to ASPCA that finds twice as many dogs enter shelters as strays owners, however, are often based on total dogs received at rather than as relinquishments by their owner (ASPCA 2016). the shelter and not solely on stray intakes. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Science in the Service of Animal Welfare 36 Protopopova and Gunter A small portion of dogs in animal shelters are owner more recent statistics from the ASPCA (2016), shelter confiscations due to abuse or neglect (McMillan et al euthanasia continues to be the leading cause of canine death 2015). Such cases are uncommon and, as such, it is difficult in the United States (Olson et al 1991). In an effort to reduce to determine prevalence on a national scale as they are the number of healthy dogs dying in animal shelters, under - often included in multi-use (‘other’) categories that do not standing the efficacy of interventions that reduce the provide for a detailed breakdown. From regional studies, number of dogs arriving at animal shelters and increase Protopopova et al (2012) found that confiscated dogs those leaving alive are the foci of this paper. comprised approximately 10% of the shelter dog popula - Increasing adoption rates tion at a Florida municipal shelter. A collective confiscate percentage at four shelters in Massachusetts over a two- Extensive research suggests that adopters select shelter dogs and-a-half year period was 3% (Dowling-Guyer et al 2011) based on their morphology, background, and behaviour. The while dogs held under legal order in Australia made up following section discusses these variables as predictors of only 1% of admissions (Marston et al 2004). adoption. In the behavioural literature, we focus on a growing and promising area of research in the training of The majority of dogs living in animal shelters are under shelter dogs to behave attractively in the shelter in order to two-years old (Patronek et al 1995; Bollen & Horowitz increase their likelihood of adoption. 2008; Protopopova et al 2014; Barnard et al 2015), although their exact ages are often difficult to determine. In an Predictors of adoption attempt to describe shelter dogs, researchers have often Several studies have attempted to answer the question of identified the prevalence of certain breeds in these facilities what makes a dog attractive to adopters. Wells and Hepper to understand demographics of the shelter dog population (1992) found that participants in Northern Ireland reported and often various aspects of their adoption success. that the temperament of shelter dogs was the most important However, breed assignment performed at animal shelters is variable they would consider when asked to imagine often based on visual appearance; and this method has been adopting a dog. However, extensive research has now found to be an inconsistent and unreliable means of identi - shown, through retrospective and correlational studies, that fication (Voith et al 2009; Olson et al 2015). the morphology of the dog is highly important to actual Instead, genetic canine heritage testing may more accurately adopters. In fact, appearance was the single most important describe the breeds present in today’s shelter dogs and allow reason adopters provided as to why they choose a specific us to better infer the influence of breed on outcomes, dog (Weiss et al 2012), and photographs of adopted dogs however the majority of shelter dogs may be mixed breed were rated as more attractive than euthanased dogs by with only a small percentage of purebreds (Barnard et al potential adopters (Protopopova et al 2012). 2015). In a study of over nine hundred shelter dogs at two US shelters, using the MARS Wisdom Panel, only 3–8% of Specifically, more adopted dogs have been shown to be dogs were purebreds and the majority of dogs had more light than dark-coloured (eg Posage et al 1998; Lepper et al than two breeds identified. While dogs having a pit-bull- 2002), long-haired than short-haired (eg Wells & Hepper type or Chihuahua comprised roughly 50% of the popula - 1992; Siettou et al 2014), young than old (eg Lepper et al tion at both shelters, the remaining dogs consisted solely of 2002; Clevenger & Kass 2003; Normando et al 2006; other breeds. In total, 125 single-breed populations were Brown et al 2013; Siettou et al 2014; Žak et al 2015), small identified with Labrador Retrievers comprising a very small than medium-sized (eg Lepper et al 2002; Protopopova proportion. With the MARS Wisdom Panel product used in et al 2012; Brown et al 2013; Siettou et al 2014; Žak et al this study, DNA is extracted from the buccal cells and typed 2015), and were of toy breed-type (eg Clevenger & Kass at 321 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the 2003; Protopopova et al 2012; Brown et al 2013). Neuter canine genome (Gunter et al in prep). status has also been found to influence adoption likelihood Whilst almost one-and-a-half million dogs entering US (eg Lepper et al 2002; Clevenger & Kass 2003) but, as shelters will find homes, over 30% will ultimately be most shelters mandate spay and neuter prior to adoption, euthanased (ASPCA 2016).

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