Three Things to Know
As part of a larger study on pet ownership trends during the pandemic, researchers investigated cat and dog owners who had relinquished or were considering relinquishing their pets. The study aimed to determine whether online pet acquisition or specific owner characteristics increased the likelihood of relinquishment.
Findings revealed that male owners and those living in households with children were significantly more likely to consider or proceed with relinquishment. Notably, the study found no evidence suggesting that the specific online source of dog acquisition influenced the risk of relinquishment.
The study observed a significantly higher relinquishment rate among American pet owners compared to those in Britain or Italy. This disparity requires further investigation, as all three countries experienced severe impacts from the pandemic.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
This research found no significant impact of the online source of acquisition on the likelihood of pet relinquishment.
However, given the increasing prevalence of online dog acquisition in the Western world, dog welfare professionals should strive to make online marketplaces more conducive to informed decision-making by potential dog owners. Simultaneously, efforts must be made to eliminate unethical breeders who prioritize profit over animal welfare.
In the UK, the government has mandated adherence to certain Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) advertising standards. Dog welfare professionals in other regions can benefit from studying these standards, advocating for similar or stricter regulations in their respective jurisdictions, and collaborating with third-party platforms to ensure their implementation.
The Full Picture
Pet ownership underwent significant changes in recent years, notably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns fueled a surge in demand for cats and dogs as people sought companionship to combat loneliness.
Studies reveal a growing trend of online pet acquisition, with most cats sourced from rescue websites and dogs from advertising sites. This shift has brought challenges, including the rise of unethical breeders exploiting regulatory gaps, transnational crime, and impulsive purchases. Moreover, pets acquired online are thought to be at higher risk of relinquishment, particularly with the complexities of regulating social media platforms. In contrast, pets adopted through animal rescues benefit from pre- and post-adoption support, potentially reducing the risk of relinquishment.
This study, titled “Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Households with children at greatest risk of relinquishing a cat or dog,” aims to:
- Assess how online acquisition sources and country of residence influence the risk of pet relinquishment during the pandemic.
- Investigate the characteristics and experiences of individuals who relinquished their pets.
- Compare the demographics of those who relinquished or considered relinquishing pets with other pet owners.
Study Methods
This study expands upon previous research that surveyed pet owners to investigate cat and dog relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic. An initial survey recruited 3,495 participants. Participants who reported considering or having relinquished a pet were invited to complete a detailed follow-up survey, gathering data on demographics, living arrangements, COVID-19 restrictions, and their relinquishment experience. A third survey, conducted seven months later, reassessed relinquishment among these participants. In addition, researchers conducted a final comparison group survey, targeting individuals who had never considered giving up their pets, to analyze demographic differences between groups.
Study Results
This study investigated the factors contributing to cat and dog relinquishment, focusing on online acquisition methods, owner demographics, and the relinquishment process.
Out of almost 4,000 participants, a total of 21 individuals relinquished their pets during the study period. Notably, a significant proportion (63.2%) of these relinquishers were first-time pet owners. While most individuals found the decision to give up their pets emotionally challenging, the study also revealed that relinquishment decisions were generally well-considered.
Species Differences
While no significant species differences emerged when considering individuals who contemplated relinquishment, 16 of the 21 those who relinquished their pets (76.2%) gave up dogs. This finding aligns with previous research demonstrating a higher relinquishment rate for dogs compared to cats. However, this discrepancy may partially stem from the higher prevalence of dog ownership. Future research should delve deeper into species-specific relinquishment patterns, considering the relative popularity of dogs and cats as companion animals.
The current study also revealed that younger animals faced a higher risk of relinquishment.
Does Online Acquisition Influence the Risk of Pet Relinquishment?
Among pets acquired online, 66% were dogs and 34% were cats, with significant differences observed in acquisition sources. While advertising sites, such as GumTree and Pets4Home, were the most common online source for both species, dogs were more frequently acquired through breeder websites and online ad sites, whereas cats were more commonly sourced from rescue websites. No significant difference in species acquisition was found for social media.
Only seven out of the 21 participants who relinquished their pets had acquired them online. No association was found between the source of online acquisition and relinquishment status. The researchers suggest that future research could investigate the relinquishment risks associated with acquiring pets from sites that adhere to voluntary standards, such as the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) guidelines, compared to those that do not.
Characteristics of Those Considering Relinquishment or Have Relinquished, Compared to Other Pet Owners
Researchers analyzed the characteristics of the 21 individuals who relinquished their pets and an additional 125 participants who were considering relinquishment, comparing these groups to a sample of 193 non-relinquishers.
Geographical Differences
Relinquishment rates varied significantly across countries, with the USA exhibiting the highest percentage (9.9%) of participants considering or having relinquished a pet, followed by the UK (3.0%) and Italy (4.4%). Although COVID-19 had a severe impact in the USA, UK, and Italy, the lower relinquishment rates in the UK and Italy suggest that factors beyond the pandemic likely contribute to these disparities. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying reasons for these between-country variations.
Household Composition
Gender and the presence of children in the household emerged as significant predictors of relinquishment. Male participants exhibited a 49.6% increased probability of relinquishment compared to female participants. Households with children were almost five times more likely to consider or proceed with relinquishment. The heightened risk of dog bites during COVID-19 lockdowns further underscores this challenge. Animal shelters should proactively educate families about potential risks associated with pet adoption and provide comprehensive post-adoption support to mitigate these challenges.
Conclusion
This study, despite its limitations due to the small number of participants who actually relinquished their pets, provides valuable insights by comparing those considering relinquishment with those who have not.
While initial concerns suggested a link between specific online acquisition sources and higher relinquishment rates, the study did not find such an association. However, it did reveal significant geographical variations, with the USA exhibiting the highest relinquishment rates among the surveyed countries.
Although most owners found relinquishing their pets emotionally difficult, they generally viewed the decision as logical. Factors such as the presence of children, male ownership, and younger pet age significantly increased the risk of relinquishment.
Future research should prioritize cross-country comparisons to better understand the factors contributing to these geographical variations. Additionally, investigating the specific reasons why households with children face a higher risk of relinquishment is crucial. By addressing these knowledge gaps, more effective strategies can be developed to mitigate the challenges of pet ownership and improve animal welfare outcomes.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Pet Dog Acquisition > Acquisition Channels
Year of Publication:
2023
External Link:
Carroll GA, Torjussen A, Reeve C. Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Households with children at greatest risk of relinquishing a cat or dog. Anim Welf. 2023;32:e56. Published 2023 Aug 18. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2023.77