探索德克萨斯州动物收容所接收犬只当前喂养方式的横断面调查：一项描述性研究。

Cross-sectional survey exploring current intake practices for dogs admitted to animal shelters in Texas: a descriptive study.

作者信息

Cranford Mackenzie, Bing Abbey, Cisneros Alissa, Carroll Amber D, Porter Hannah, Stellato Anastasia Chiara

机构信息

Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.

出版信息

Front Vet Sci. 2023 Dec 19;10:1296425. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1296425. eCollection 2023.

DOI:10.3389/fvets.2023.1296425

PMID:38173552

原文链接:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10763234/

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Entering an animal shelter is a stressful experience for dogs that can impair their welfare, adoptability, and shelter staff safety; thus, it is crucial to reduce the stress experienced during intake. This study investigated the current intake practices for dogs admitted in animal shelters in Texas, United States.

METHODS

To gather data, an online survey was designed and distributed to shelter employees responsible for intake at animal shelters. The survey collected information about examination procedures, the type of information collected from owner-surrenders, as well as the housing environment for the dogs.

RESULTS

Survey participants ( = 64) were shelter staff from municipal (59%, 38/64) and private shelters (23%, 15/64) in 47 counties. Handling techniques reported to be used during intake exams varied depending on the dog's behavior, with participants reporting higher restraint for aggressive dogs and lower restraint for calm dogs. If the dog was displaying fear, participants reported offering food and attention (89%, 47/53), using towel restraint (64%, 34/53) and conducting the exam on someone's lap (49%, 26/53). In cases of aggression, it was commonly reported to use muzzles (81%, 42/52) and catch poles (77%, 40/52), and shorten the exam (71%, 37/52). After the exam, most reported placing dogs on the adoption floor (45%, 27/60) or placing them wherever space was available (20%, 12/60).

DISCUSSION

Results provide descriptive information on current intake procedures and routine handling techniques used in Texas shelters. Future research should explore shelter dog responses to routine handling techniques to support the development of evidence-based protocols during routine intake examinations and procedures.

摘要

引言

进入动物收容所对狗来说是一种压力很大的经历，这可能会损害它们的福利、被领养的可能性以及收容所工作人员的安全；因此，减少收容期间的压力至关重要。本研究调查了美国得克萨斯州动物收容所接收狗的当前收容做法。

方法

为了收集数据，设计了一项在线调查并分发给动物收容所负责收容的员工。该调查收集了有关检查程序、从主人那里接收的信息类型以及狗的居住环境的信息。

结果

调查参与者（n = 64）是来自47个县的市政收容所（59%，38/64）和私人收容所（23%，15/64）的收容所工作人员。据报告，在收容检查期间使用的处理技术因狗的行为而异，参与者报告对攻击性强的狗采取更高程度的约束，对温顺的狗采取较低程度的约束。如果狗表现出恐惧，参与者报告提供食物和关注（89%，47/53）、使用毛巾约束（64%，34/53）以及在某人腿上进行检查（49%，26/53）。在攻击行为的情况下，普遍报告使用嘴套（81%，42/52）和捕捉杆（77%，40/52），并缩短检查时间（71%，37/52）。检查后，大多数人报告将狗安置在领养区（45%，27/60）或安置在有空余空间的任何地方（20%，12/60）。