Data and facts about efforts to lower shelter dog return rates.
Jump to: Overview | Reasons for Return | Increasing Owner Satisfaction
Highlights
- Most returns happen quickly, with 80% occuring within two weeks.
- Owners expectations: Owners who returned their dogs exhibited higher expectations regarding the dogs’ behavioral standards, physical health, and emotional connection.
- Owner satisfaction: A dog’s personality is the sole factor significantly influencing owner satisfaction. Age, size, and breed had no impact on satisfaction levels.
Overview
- Most returns happened quickly. (Source, 2022)
- About 25% occurred within two days.
- Around 80% occurred within two weeks.
- Nearly all returns occurred before four months.
Reasons for Return
Jump to: Role of Owner Expectations | Texas Shelter Intakes & Returns
Role of Owner Expectations
External link:
Dinwoodie, Ian R., Vivian Zottola, Karla Kubitz, and Nicholas H. Dodman. 2022. “Selection Factors Influencing Eventual Owner Satisfaction about Pet Dog Adoption” Animals 12, no. 17: 2264. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172264
Data from Past Studies
- Return Rates: Roughly 15% of all adopted animals are eventually returned to shelters.
- Behavioral Issues: Behavioral problems are a major reason for returns.
- In South Carolina, 36% of dogs were returned due to behavior, and another 18% didn’t get along with other pets.
- In Texas, 56% of returns were caused by behavioral issues, often aggression.
- In the UK, three out of five dogs were returned due to behavioral problems.
- In Australia, 22% of returns were due to behavior, and 12.9% were due to problems with other pets.
- Unrealistic Expectations: Unrealistic expectations about dog ownership contribute to returns in 7 to 13% of cases.
Returns from Current Study
- Return Rate: Of the 132 adopted dogs, 29 (22%) were returned to the shelter within three months.
- Median length of ownership: 8 days.
- Reasons for Returns: Most returns (58.6%) were due to animal-related issues, mainly behavioral problems. Owner-related reasons accounted for 34.5% of returns.
| Return Reason | n | % |
|---|---|---|
| Animal-based reasons | 17 | 58.6 |
| Chases animals | 1 | 3.4 |
| Doesn’t like other pets | 3 | 10.3 |
| Escapes | 2 | 6.9 |
| Multiple behavior issues | 1 | 3.4 |
| Pets in home didn’t like | 4 | 13.8 |
| Too active | 3 | 10.3 |
| Too much energy | 1 | 3.4 |
| Too noisy | 1 | 3.4 |
| Requires too much exercise | 1 | 3.4 |
| Owner-based reasons | 10 | 34.5 |
| Change in lifestyle | 1 | 3.4 |
| Homeless | 1 | 3.4 |
| Inadequate housing/yard | 1 | 3.4 |
| Landlord issues | 1 | 3.4 |
| Not enough time | 4 | 13.8 |
| Travel | 1 | 3.4 |
| Unwanted | 1 | 3.4 |
| Other/Unspecified | 2 | 6.9 |
| Total | 29 | 100.0 |
- Time to Return: Dogs returned for animal-related issues were typically returned sooner (average 2.5 days) compared to those returned for owner-related reasons (average 8 days).
- Owner Characteristics: There were no significant differences between owners who returned their dogs and those who didn’t in terms of gender, age, or previous pet ownership experience.
- Dog Characteristics: The dogs that were returned did not differ significantly from those who were kept in terms of age, sex, size, how they came into the shelter, whether they had been returned before, how long they were in the shelter, or breed group.
Expectations for Ownership
- Higher Expectations: Owners who returned their dogs had overall higher expectations for their dog’s behavior. They were more likely to want a dog who was friendly with children, not afraid of new situations, and didn’t cause damage.
- Health Expectations: A study found that 60% of prospective dog owners thought it was extremely important that their dog was healthy at adoption. However, this expectation doesn’t always match reality, as 50% of adopted dogs develop health problems within the first two weeks.
- Human-Dog Bond: Returning owners had stronger expectations for their emotional connection with their dog. They wanted their dog to provide support, be sensitive to their feelings, respond to training, and be excited to see them.
- Shared Responsibilities: Both returning and non-returning owners agreed on the responsibilities of dog ownership. They understood the need for walks, training, playtime, and helping their dog adjust to their new home.
- Unexpected Costs and Changes: Owners also recognized that dog ownership can bring unexpected financial costs and require changes to their schedules.
Owners’ Perceptions of Adoption
- High Satisfaction: Most owners were very satisfied with their dogs.
- At two days, 87.3% were satisfied.
- At two weeks, 91.9% were satisfied.
- At four months, all owners were satisfied.
- Easier Than Expected: Around half of the adopters found dog ownership easier than they anticipated.
- At two days, 50% found it easier.
- At two weeks, this increased to 62.1%.
- At four months, it was 66.6%.
- More Difficult Than Expected: A small percentage of owners found dog ownership more challenging than expected.
- At two days, 9.2% found it more difficult (three of these owners later returned their dogs).
- At two weeks, 13.5% found it more difficult (only one returned their dog).
- At four months, only 3.7% found it more difficult.
Dog Behavior Post-Adoption
| No Problems | Minor Problems | Moderate Problems | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two days after adoption | 29.1% (n=16) | 65.5% (n=36) | 5.5% (n=3) |
| Two weeks after adoption | 32.4% (n=12) | 59.5% (n=22) | 8.1% (n=3) |
| Four months after adoption | 33.3% (n=9) | 66.7% (n=18) | 0% (n=0%) |
| Time after adoption | 2 Days (%) | 2 Weeks (%) | 4 Months (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-BARQ subscales | |||
| Stranger-directed aggression | 44.4 | 40.0 | 55.6 |
| Owner-directed aggression | 8.7 | 10.3 | 24.0 |
| Dog-directed aggression | 40.0 | 43.3 | 68.0 |
| Familiar dog aggression | 14.3 | 37.5 | 33.3 |
| Stranger-directed fear | 37.8 | 28.6 | 34.6 |
| Nonsocial fear | 76.1 | 85.7 | 85.2 |
| Dog-directed fear | 60.0 | 53.3 | 58.3 |
| Separation-related behavior | 79.2 | 83.3 | 85.2 |
| C-BARQ miscellaneous items | |||
| Escapes | 52.2 | 41.9 | 58.3 |
| Chews inappropriate objects | 52.6 | 68.4 | 70.4 |
| Urinates against objects in home | 31.6 | 36.8 | 22.2 |
| Urinates when left alone | 34.7 | 35.1 | 29.6 |
| Defecates when left alone | 20.8 | 27.0 | 25.9 |
| Hyperactive, restless, has trouble settling down | 58.6 | 50.0 | 59.3 |
| Chases tail/hind end | 28.1 | 39.5 | 33.3 |
| Barks persistently when alarmed or excited | 46.4 | 59.5 | 51.9 |
Research Summary | Back to Top
Texas Shelter Intake & Return
External link:
Hawes SM, Kerrigan JM, Hupe T, Morris KN. Factors Informing the Return of Adopted Dogs and Cats to an Animal Shelter. Animals. 2020; 10(9):1573. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091573
Returns
| Reasons for Return | Dogs (n=102) | % of Dog Sample | Cats (n=72) | % of Cat Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical | 8.8% | 5.6% | ||
| Medical needs of animal | 6 | 5.9% | 3 | 4.2% |
| Medical costs | 3 | 2.9% | 1 | 1.4% |
| Behavioral | 55.9% | 34.7% | ||
| Aggressive toward animals | 15 | 14.7% | 7 | 9.7% |
| Aggressive toward humans | 24 | 23.5% | 9 | 12.5% |
| Destructive tendencies | 11 | 10.8% | 8 | 11.1% |
| Separation anxiety | 7 | 6.9% | 1 | 1.4% |
| Personal | 31.4% | 56.9% | ||
| Allergies | 3 | 2.9% | 6 | 8.3% |
| Behavior/temperament of resident pet | 3 | 2.9% | 3 | 4.2% |
| Inability to afford basic care | 2 | 2.1% | 8 | 11.1% |
| Death of owner or family member | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 1.4% |
| Medical needs of adopter | 4 | 3.9% | 8 | 11.1% |
| Moving | 7 | 6.9% | 14 | 19.4% |
| Unrealistic expectations | 13 | 12.7% | 1 | 1.4% |
| Other | 3.9% | 2.8% | ||
| Breed or species restrictions | 4 | 3.9% | 2 | 2.8% |
| Length of Ownership | Dogs (n = 102) | % of Dog Sample | Cats (n = 72) | % of Cat Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <30 Days | 42.2% | 34.7% | ||
| 0–2 Weeks | 28 | 27.5% | 20 | 27.8% |
| 2–4 Weeks | 15 | 14.7% | 5 | 6.9% |
| 30–60 Days | 6.8% | 8.3% | ||
| 4–6 Weeks | 4 | 3.9% | 5 | 6.9% |
| 6–8 Weeks | 3 | 2.9% | 1 | 1.4% |
| >60 Days | 51.0% | 57.0% | ||
| 2–4 Months | 8 | 7.8% | 8 | 11.1% |
| 4–6 Months | 6 | 5.9% | 5 | 6.9% |
| 6–8 Months | 10 | 9.8% | 4 | 5.6% |
| 8–10 Months | 4 | 3.9% | 1 | 1.4% |
| 10–12 Months | 1 | 1.0% | 2 | 2.8% |
| >1 Year | 23 | 22.6% | 21 | 29.2% |
Outcome for Returned Animal
| Outcome | Dogs(n = 102) | % of Dog Sample | Cats (n = 72) | % of Cat Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adopted | 53 | 52.0% | 46 | 63.9% |
| Euthanized | 1 | 1.0% | 2 | 2.8% |
| Returned to owner/guardian | 3 | 2.9% | 0 | 0.0% |
| Still in care | 45 | 44.1% | 24 | 33.3% |
Related Data From Same Study (Reducing Shelter Intake)
Related Data From Same Study (Post-Adoption Management)
Research Summary | Back to Top
Increasing Owner Satisfaction
Jump to: Selection Criteria
Role of Selection Criteria
External link:
Dinwoodie, Ian R., Vivian Zottola, Karla Kubitz, and Nicholas H. Dodman. 2022. “Selection Factors Influencing Eventual Owner Satisfaction about Pet Dog Adoption” Animals 12, no. 17: 2264. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172264
Owner Satisfaction
- Dog Satisfaction: 83% of adopted dogs fully met owner expectations, 16% partially met them, and less than 1% did not.
- Overall Satisfaction: 90% of owners were satisfied with at least one dog, and 76% were satisfied with all.
- Gender Comparison: 90% of femaleand 89% of male were satisfied with at least one dog. 76% of females and 78% of males indicated satisfaction with all their reported dogs.
- Future Adoption: 91% of owners would consider adopting another dog.
- 91% of owners who were satisfied with all their dogs indicated they would consider another dog in the future; 3% indicated they would not.
- 96% of owners who indicated satisfaction with some, but not all, of their dogs indicated they would consider another dog in the future; 3% indicated they would not.
- 84% of owners who were not satisfied with any of their dogs indicated they would consider another dog in the future; 14% indicated they would not.
- Expectation Fulfillment: Among dogs that were lost, euthanized, rehomed, or surrendered, expectations were met most often for lost dogs and least often for surrendered dogs. Owners were satisfied with:
- 100% of the dogs that had been lost;
- 94% of the dogs that had been euthanized;
- 86% of the dogs not living with their owner for reasons other than those asked on the questionnaire;
- 83% of the dogs that had died;
- 20% of the dogs that had been rehomed; and
- None of the dogs that had been surrendered.
Behaviours and Criteria Before Acquiring A Dog
Time Spent Thinking
- Adoption Timeframes: 49% of dogs were adopted after 1 week to 6 months of deliberation, 34% took 6 months to 6 years, 13% were adopted quickly (less than 1 week), and 4% took over 6 years.
- Satisfaction and Forethought: Owners who spent 6 months or more thinking about adoption were less likely to be satisfied than those who made quicker decisions.
Acquisition Sources
- Sources: 55% of dogs were adopted from shelters/rescues, 31% from breeders, 8% from friends/family, 4% from pet shops, 3% were found, and less than 1% were adopted from foreign countries.
- Owner Ages: The average owner age was 51 for shelter/rescue, 56 for breeder, 51 for friends/family, 48 for pet shops, 49 for found dogs, and 53 for foreign adoptions.
Primary Motivation
- Adoption Reasons: 55% of dogs were adopted for companionship, 15% for another pet, 12% for unspecified reasons, 7% for work/sports, 5% for exercise, 5% due to family, 1% for social interaction, and less than 1% for protection.
- Satisfaction and Motivation: Owners who adopted for reasons other than companionship (exercise, family, work/sports) were less likely to be satisfied.
Characteristics Rank
| Characteristics | Rank Position – Past Adoptions | Rank Position – Future Adoptions |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 4.31 | 4.59 |
| Appearance | 4.54 | 5.47 |
| Breed | 3.63 | 4.38 |
| Compatibility | 4.49 | 3.33 |
| Personality | 2.5 | 2.16 |
| Size | 4.28 | 4.3 |
| Trainability | 4.65 | 4.01 |
- For future adoptions, survey participants prioritized behavioral factors like personality, compatibility, and trainability. Physical attributes such as age, appearance, and breed were less important in their decisions.