People who feed cats that they do not perceive own (sometimes called semi-owners) are thought to make a considerable contribution unwanted cat numbers because the support generally sterilized. Understanding people's perception of ownership and psychology underlying semi-ownership could inform approaches mitigate negative effects semi-ownership. The primary aims this study were investigate examine its association with human-cat interactions caretaking behaviours. A secondary aim was evaluate...

Despite high numbers of cats admitted to animal shelters annually, there is surprisingly little information available about the characteristics these cats. In this study, we examined 195,387 admissions 33 Australian RSPCA and six friends groups from July 2006 June 2010. The aims study were describe entering shelters, reasons for cat surrender. Data collected included shelter, state, admission source, age, gender, date arrival, color, breed, reproductive status (sterilized or not prior...

A lack of information limits understanding the excess cat problem and development effective management strategies. This study describes cats entering Royal Society for Prevention Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Queensland shelters identifies risk factors euthanasia.Data relevant (July 2006-June 2008) were obtained from RSPCA's electronic database. Univariable multivariable logistic regression analyses conducted identify euthanasia.Of 33,736 admitted, 46% adult (≥3 months) 54% kittens (<3 months)....

Shelter environments are stressful for dogs, as they must cope with many stimuli over which have little control. This can lead to behavioural changes, negatively affect their welfare and downgrade the human-animal bond, affecting re-homing success. Arousal is evident in behaviour, particularly increased activity frequent vocalisation. Environmental enrichment plays an important role reducing arousal either through direct physiological effects or by masking stimuli. The present study focused...

Over 200,000 stray and surrendered dogs are admitted to shelters municipal facilities in Australia each year, approximately 20% euthanized. Contemporary, comprehensive data on the characteristics outcomes of entering required reduce shelter admissions euthanasia. However, there currently limited up-to-date published dog admission into shelters. A retrospective single cohort study was conducted describe population Royal Society for Prevention Cruelty Animals, Queensland (RSPCA-QLD) 2014 (n =...

Free-roaming cats in urban and peri-urban areas rural towns pose significant challenges due to their nuisance behaviors, threats wildlife, potential disease transmission. Traditional management methods often involve trapping euthanizing many of these cats, which is not only costly but also distressing for the shelter staff involved, have failed reduce numbers impounded or cat-related complaints. Our study aimed evaluate effectiveness a Community Cat Program that provided free sterilization,...

This retrospective study of cat admissions to RSPCA Queensland shelters describes changes associated with improved outcomes ending in live release 2016 compared 2011. There were 13,911 2011 and 13,220 2016, approximately 50% both years admitted as strays from the general public or council contracts. In contrast, owner surrenders halved 30% 15% admissions. Percentages euthanasia decreased 58% 15%. Only 5% reclaimed each these years, but percentage rehomed increased 34% 74%, which 61% increase...

In shelters it is usual to conduct standardised behaviour assessments on admitted dogs. The information gathered from the assessment used identify dogs that are suitable for adoption and assist in matching dog with adopters. These also guide modification programs display some unwanted behaviours. For dogs, results may indicate they unsuitable either re-training or adoption. these circumstances be euthanised. We investigated predictive value of a protocol currently an Australian shelter...

A lack of published information documenting problems with the microchip data for reclaiming stray animals entering Australian shelters limits improvement current microchipping system. retrospective study analysing admission stray, adult dogs (n = 7258) and cats 6950) Royal Society Prevention Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Queensland between January 2012 December 2013 was undertaken determine character frequency their impact on outcome animal. Only 28% 9% were microchipped, a substantial...

Most cats surrendered to nonhuman animal shelters are identified as unowned, and the surrender reason for these is usually simply recorded "stray." A cross-sectional study was conducted with people surrendering 4 Australian shelters. Surrenderers of unowned commonly gave reasons relating concern cat his/her welfare. Seventeen percent noncaregivers had considered adopting cat. Barriers assuming ownership most related responsible concerns. Unwanted kittens contributed decision both caregivers...

Animal shelters can be stressful environments and time in care may affect individual dogs negative ways, so it is important to try reduce stress arousal levels improve welfare chance of adoption. A key element the response activation autonomic nervous system (ANS), a non-invasive tool measure this activity heart rate variability (HRV). Physiologically, result production corticosteroids, increased decreased HRV. Environmental enrichment help related behaviours study focused on sensory...

The percentage of adult cats euthanized in animal shelters is greater than that kittens because are less likely to be adopted. This study aimed provide evidence inform the design strategies encourage cat adoptions. One such strategy discount adoption prices, but there concerns this may result poor outcomes. We surveyed 382 adopters at time adoption, assess potential determinants adopters' age group choice (adult or kitten) and, for adopters, price they willing pay. same respondents were...

Animal neglect and cruelty are important welfare social issues. We conducted an epidemiological study of dog complaints identified risk factors. The retrospective included 107,597 received by RSPCA Queensland from July 2008 to June 2018. factors considered were the age dogs year being reported. number each increased 6.2% per year. most common poor body conformation, insufficient food and/or water, receiving inadequate exercise, confined or tethered. Increasing numbers evident for living...

Human-dog relationships are an important contributor to the welfare of dogs, but little is known about importance socioeconomic status dogs' owners. We conducted a retrospective study canine complaints, using Australian government statistics on inhabitants at location alleged issue. The score relevant postcode was assumed be that plaintiff. Our dataset included 107,597 complaints had been received by RSPCA Queensland between July 2008 and June 2018, each with following information: number...

The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs is increasing globally and spreading into new areas. Prevalence dirofilariosis the state Queensland, Australia, was as high 90% before introduction macrocyclic lactones. Limited research on D. Queensland has been reported last 30 years. Antigen testing most common method for detection but its accuracy reduced by antigen getting trapped (blocked antigen) immune complexes (ICs). objectives this were to determine from two geographical...

Unwanted cats surrendered to nonhuman animal shelters are generally categorized as either "owned" or "stray." This classification is misleading because "stray" may include many "semiowned" cats, for which people provide care but who not perceived being owned. differentiation important effective strategies designed reduce cat admissions to, and euthanasia rates in, rely on accurate information about populations contributing shelter intake; semiowners will likely respond different than with no...

Canine behaviour assessments are commonly used in shelters to identify problems dogs prior adoption. The aim of this study was evaluate whether kennel monitoring could early signs problems, thereby facilitating intervention and better management displaying problems. Kennel monitored for (n = 38) their first five days kennels at a shelter Brisbane, Australia. This compared formal assessment exploratory, handling, play, run/freeze, food guarding behaviour, as well stranger fake toddler...

Previous studies have indicated that human gender and canine sex influences human-dog interactions. However, the majority of considered interaction when dogs were off-leash behavioural interactions are walked on a leash not been addressed. This study investigated shelter volunteers take for an on-leash walk. Video records made 370 walks, involving 74 111 dogs, tension meter was used to determine pull strength walkers. Human had dyadic effects during Male tended more frequently created...

Leash tension forces exerted by dog and handler during walks affect their welfare. We developed a novel ambulatory measurement device using load cell tri-axial accelerometer to record both the direction of on leashes. Data were relayed telemetrically laptop for real time viewing recording. Larger heavier dogs higher leash but had lower pulling frequency than smaller lighter conspecifics. This pattern was observed in reactional handlers. Young pulled more frequently walks, which also mirrored...

In shelters, it is usual to conduct a standardised behaviour assessment identify adoption suitability. The information gathered from the used of dogs, its suitability for and match dog with an ideal home environment. However, numerous studies have demonstrated lack predictability in terms post-adoption these assessments. We investigated if owners' perception dogs' was reflected RSPCA Queensland assessment, conducted on same dogs during visit shelter. A total 107 owners their aged 1-10 years...

In Australia, cat owners are encouraged to keep their pet cats contained on property at all times. This study explores the relationship between intentions and behaviours of 72 kitten adopters from a RSPCA Queensland animal shelter, provide more in-depth understanding factors influencing adoption containment behaviours. At time adoption, 64 participants (89%) indicated they were intending fully contained. Eight weeks after 63 (87%) reported doing so (59 who had stated intention 4 not). We...

While the roles and efficacy of assistance animals have received attention in literature, there has been less research focused on animal welfare issues regarding animals. This is a pertinent area, given burgeoning types animals, situations which they are employed, access arising from increased engagement. Animal as pertains to discussed this paper with respect overall concerns variety contexts, training issues, legal regulatory concerns. Relevant examples global well specific Australian...