Predictors of successful diversion of cats and dogs away from animal shelter intake: Analysis of data from a self-rehoming website. (16th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ly, Lexis H; Protopopova, Alexandra
• Is Part Of: Animal welfare. Volume 32(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-16
• Subjects: animal adoption -- animal sheltering -- animal welfare -- capacity for care -- companion animals -- intake diversion
• DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-1538

Abstract

Abstract: As animals experience distress in animal shelters, leaders call for increased efforts to divert intake of companion animals away from shelters. One novel intake diversion strategy is supported self-rehoming, where owners find new homes for their animals without surrendering to a physical shelter. This study aimed to identify predictors of successful diversion of animals through the AdoptaPet.com 'Rehome' online platform. Data for dogs (n = 100, 342) and cats (n = 48, 484) were analysed through logistic regression to assess the association of animal- and owner-related factors and outcome. Overall, 87.1% of dogs and 85.7% of cats were successfully diverted from animal shelters, out of which, 37.8% of dogs and 35.3% of cats were kept by their original owner. Multiple animal-related factors predicted increased odds of diversion (e.g. younger, smaller). Dog and cat owners who set a longer rehoming deadline (i.e. > 8 weeks) were over twice as likely to keep or adopt out their animal. Dog owners who surrendered for owner-related reasons had increased odds of diversion in comparison to animal behaviour issues. We conclude that online-supported, self-rehoming platforms provide pet owners with an alternative to relinquishment that may reduce the intake of animals to shelters; however, owners with animals that are not preferred by adopters may have to decide whether to keep their animal or relinquish their animal to a shelter or rescue. These results provide guidance for animal shelter professionals on the likelihood of successful diversion programmes given certain animal and owner characteristics.