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"Human and Animal Factors Related to the
Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats in 12 Selected Animal Shelters
in the United States"
Authors of original article: M.D. Salman,
John G. New, Jr., Janet M. Scarlett, Phillip H. Kass, Rebecca
Ruch-Gallie, and Suzanne Hetts
Originally published in Journal of Applied Animal Welfare
Science
Volume 1, Number 3, 1998*
Coordinated by the National Council on Pet Population Study and
Policy, the authors studied the reasons for the U.S. companion dog
and cat overpopulation problem that results in millions of
animals' being euthanized each year in shelters. In their survey,
people surrendering dogs or cats to animal shelters that euthanize
unadopted animals provided information about themselves, the
animals they were relinquishing, and reasons they were
relinquishing the animals. People were surveyed at 12 shelters in
six states: New Jersey, New York City, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Colorado, and California. Shelters were selected as being
representative of the nation's geographical diversity and of
urban, suburban, and rural areas.
The mean number of animals entering the participating shelters in
the survey period-February 1995 through April 1996-was 14,042 per
shelter. The mean number of animals exiting the shelters was
9,831, the majority of whom, 55 percent, were euthanized.
Interviews were completed with 3,772 owners relinquishing 3,676
dogs and litters and 1,409 cats and litters. Other people who
surrendered animals at the shelters were not included in the
analysis for various reasons. The 71 reasons given for
relinquishing animals were categorized into 12 broad classes.
Among the 10 most common reasons for relinquishment of dogs or
cats were: moving, landlord not allowing pets, too many animals in
the household, cost of pet maintenance, owner having personal
problems, inadequate facilities, and no homes available for litter
mates. For cats, allergies in the family, house soiling, and
incompatibility with other pets were among the 10 reasons most
frequently stated. For dogs, the 10 most common reasons included
owner having no time for the animal, animal illness, and biting.
Approximately the same number of males and females relinquished
dogs, and more women than men relinquished cats. Most people
relinquishing cats had lower income levels than those
relinquishing dogs. Large percentages of people surrendering
animals had important misconceptions about animal behavior and
reproduction.
Referring to other recent studies, the authors state that not
being spayed or neutered, being obtained at little or no cost,
being older than 6 months when obtained, spending most of the day
in a yard or crate, and being more work than expected are factors
that increase dogs' risk for surrender. Factors decreasing their
risk appear to be regular veterinary care and participation in an
obedience class. Being sexually intact is also a risk factor for
cats, as is being allowed outdoors, never receiving veterinary
care, frequent house soiling, being more work than expected, and
an owner's having preconceptions of the cat's role in the family.
Diminishing cats' risk is keepers' having read about feline
behavior, provided veterinary care, and obtained the cat as a
stray. Those who do not keep companion animals at least 6 months
are more likely to be first-time adopters, adopters with children
in the house, males, younger than those who keep pets longer, and
more likely to have obtained an animal "for the children." Such
knowledge should be helpful for educating the public about
responsible animal adoption and how to prevent relationships
between humans and other animals from failing.
*Available from Psychologists for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals, P.O. Box 1297, Washington Grove,
MD 20880-1297; 301-963-4751.
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