Three Things to Know
Building upon previous research that identified adoption as the preferred method of dog acquisition, this study aimed to investigate the potential influence of social pressure on these preferences and explore its impact on post-adoption care.
The study revealed an overwhelming preference for adopting from shelters and rescues over breeders or pet stores. However, evidence of social pressure to “say the right thing” emerged, highlighted through respondents downplaying the importance of breed and appearance when describing their ideal dog.
While the method of dog acquisition did not significantly predict future veterinary care, with owners across all acquisition sources demonstrating regular veterinary visits, there remains an opportunity to increase the adoption of preventive care measures such as heartworm treatments.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
This research reveals a complex picture of dog acquisition. While adoption is socially favored, individuals still value choice. Factors like breed preference and informal acquisition from friends and family contribute to the gap between preference and action.
To encourage adoption, shelter professionals can play a crucial role by highlighting breed rescues as an alternative option. Many potential adopters may be unaware of breed rescues, overlooking a valuable resource. Instead of simply turning away individuals seeking specific breeds, shelters can connect them with relevant breed rescue organizations. Integrating this information on shelter websites can effectively guide potential adopters towards suitable options.
The Full Picture
How people acquire dogs affects their relationships with them and their views on ethical dog ownership. A previous study found that adoption was overwhelmingly considered the most ethical way to get a dog, favored by 80% of respondents. However, “adoption” is a broad term, sometimes used to describe acquiring dogs from breeders or pet stores partnered with shelters. Public adoption campaigns may influence people’s views, potentially leading to social desirability bias (SDB), where people answer in ways they believe are socially acceptable.
While adoption is seen as an ethical choice, more research is needed to understand public perceptions and how different acquisition methods impact dog welfare. This study, titled “Exploring Social Desirability Bias in Perceptions of Dog Adoption: All’s Well that Ends Well? Or Does the Method of Adoption Matter?” expands on previous findings by this same author. Using surveys and choice experiments, it explores ethical views on dog acquisition, the influence of SDB, and post-adoption care practices.
Study Methods
An online survey was conducted between October 3 and November 24, 2017, asking current, former, and non-dog owners about their preferences for acquiring dogs.
Participants shared information about how they acquired their dogs, their reasons for choosing those methods, and their dog care practices, such as veterinary visits and preventive care. Acquisition methods included adoption, purchasing from breeders, and buying from pet stores. Responses were analyzed for trends related to demographics and care practices. A choice experiment also explored preferences for different adoption sources, including shelters and breeders.
Finally, participants rated the importance of various dog characteristics when acquiring a dog. They also indicated what they perceived to be societal expectations. This allowed the study to measure social desirability bias (SDB) by comparing personal values with perceived societal values to identify instances where respondents may have overstated their adherence to socially desirable behaviors.
Study Results
The survey participants generally reflected the U.S. population in terms of demographics, with slight variations in age, income, education, and regional distribution. Of the 767 participants, nearly half (45%) currently owned a dog, and 19% had owned one within the past five years.
Attitudes on Dog-Related Issues
Most respondents agreed that dogs can be bred responsibly (89%) and ethically (82%). In addition, more respondents agreed than disagreed that people should be free to choose how and where they acquire dogs, including buying purebred dogs and importing dogs for sale or adoption. On the other hand, opinions were mixed on more controversial topics like dog overpopulation and importing dogs for sale or adoption.
Despite the prevalence of adoption campaigns, many respondents believed in ethical breeding and the importance of having diverse acquisition options, suggesting a belief that choice increases satisfaction. This desire for choice highlights the need for further research into factors influencing shelter adoptions and awareness of dog population issues.
Acquisition Preferences and Behaviors
Overall, the study showed a strong preference for adopting dogs from municipal animal shelters (56%), followed by breed rescues (22%) and privately owned shelters (14%). Buying from breeders (5%) or pet stores (3%) was the least popular.
The researchers identified three distinct groups based on their demographics, attitudes, and preferences:
- “Municipal Shelters First”: This group overwhelmingly preferred municipal shelters (66%).
- “Adoption is Great”: This group showed balanced preferences across all adoption options.
- “Breed Matters”: This group prioritized breed, with over 30% preferring breed rescues and almost 40% preferring breeders.
Demographics influenced group membership. Younger respondents were more likely to belong to the “Adoption is Great” group, while those with college degrees were more likely to be in the “Breed Matters” group.
Younger respondents had more positive views on adoption, likely reflecting greater awareness of animal welfare issues, such as high euthanasia rates and shelter populations. On the other hand, more highly educated individuals tended to prioritize breed characteristics, aligning with societal trends where dogs can be seen as status symbols. This suggests that preferences for breed and appearance may be linked to social and cultural factors, particularly fashion trends and status.
Comparison between Preferences and Actions
Over 90% expressed a preference for adopting dogs from shelters and rescues. In reality, the most common ways people acquired dogs were adopting from shelters or rescues (40%), receiving a dog as a gift (30%), buying from a breeder in person (20%), and taking in a stray (13%). The main reasons for acquiring a dog were the belief that it was “the right thing to do” (47%) and a preference for a specific breed (30%).
Dog Characteristics and Social desirability Bias
Respondents rated how important they believed various dog characteristics were when acquiring a dog. However, Social Desirability Bias (SDB) significantly influenced these ratings.
Respondents tended to downplay the importance of physical traits like breed, appearance, and cost, likely due to societal pressures to appear more ethical. Conversely, they overemphasized the importance of traits like compatibility, behavior, and health. This suggests a desire to present themselves as prioritizing more “responsible” dog ownership qualities.
Dog owners, especially women, exhibited a stronger SDB related to appearance, possibly reflecting societal expectations. Younger respondents, with their heightened awareness of ethical consumerism, were also more susceptible to this bias. Furthermore, the study found that individuals with experience in dog training, specifically obedience training, demonstrated a stronger preference for dogs with compatible behavioral traits, highlighting the influence of prior experience on dog acquisition preferences.
Care for the Dogs
A majority of dog owners (90%) reported annual veterinary visits, with approximately half consistently using heartworm prevention (55%) and slightly more using flea and tick prevention (59%). Demographic factors played a significant role in care practices, with younger owners and those with higher incomes demonstrating greater adherence to regular veterinary care and preventative treatments. Interestingly, the method of dog acquisition (e.g., shelter, breeder, etc.) did not significantly predict future care behaviors, as over 85% of owners across all acquisition methods followed regular veterinary and preventative care routines.
Despite the documented risks of heartworm and flea/tick infestations to both dogs and humans, significant gaps exist in the consistent use of preventative medications. Financial limitations likely contribute to these disparities, as lower-income owners may face challenges affording veterinary care and preventative treatments. Furthermore, perceptions of low regional risk or confusion regarding appropriate preventative schedules may also hinder consistent use.
Considering the potential financial and health burdens associated with treating preventable conditions, these findings underscore the critical need for targeted educational initiatives and interventions. These efforts should aim to improve preventative care practices, particularly among lower-income dog owners.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that preferences for “adoption” are nuanced. While an overwhelming majority favor adoption as a dog acquisition method, individuals also value having a variety of options. Actual behaviours may also differ from their preferences.
The study also investigated the influence of Social Desirability Bias (SDB) on stated preferences. Results suggest SDB may influence responses regarding breed and appearance, potentially leading to responses that align with perceived social norms.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Shelter Dogs > Improving Rehoming Success > Enlarging Adoption Pipeline
Year of Publication:
2018
External Link:
Bir C, Olynk Widmar N, Croney C. Exploring Social Desirability Bias in Perceptions of Dog Adoption: All’s Well that Ends Well? Or Does the Method of Adoption Matter? Animals. 2018; 8(9):154. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8090154