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Shelter and rescue programmes associated with higher live release and lower return rates for dogs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

LA Reese
LA Reese*
Affiliation:
Urban and Regional Planning and Global Urban Studies, Michigan State University, Human Ecology Building, 552 W Circle Drive, Room 208A, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
*
email: reesela@msu.edu
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Abstract

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Typically, animal shelters and rescues are judged on their live release rates. This research explores the relative impact that shelter traits and programmes have on positive outcomes for dogs. Using a survey of 370 animal shelters and rescues across the US, it concludes that eschewing the use of breed labels for all dogs that do not appear to be pure-bred, having a robust foster programme, and using a matching programme are correlated with higher live release and lower return rates. Resources are not wholly determinative of success — it is the programmes shelters and rescues implement, not simply their human and financial resources — that are associated with positive outcomes.

Keywords

animal welfarebreed labelsfoster programmeslive release rates for dogsmatching programmestransfer programmes
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , November 2021 , pp. 419 - 430
Copyright
© 2021 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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