Three Things to Know
Due to the success of spay and neuter programs and advancements in veterinary medicine, U.S. shelters are facing an aging cat and dog population. Unfortunately, senior animals are often considered less adoptable and are more likely to be euthanized.
Researchers studied the key factors influencing euthanasia rates for senior cats and dogs. They found that terminal medical conditions were the primary reason for euthanasia, while reasons for surrender and behavioral issues did not significantly impact outcomes for dogs.
Researchers recommended that shelters provide more support to families to keep their pets at home and offer preventive veterinary care to minimize the number of animals arriving in terminal condition. Additionally, shelters should prepare for longer stays and increased care costs by adjusting their operations.
The Full Picture
Millions of pets are surrendered to U.S. animal shelters each year. Common reasons for surrender include aggressive behavior, housing challenges, or personal difficulties. As spay and neuter practices become more widespread, the number of young animals in shelters has decreased. Consequently, older pets now make up a larger proportion of the shelter population.
Senior pets face unique challenges. They are more likely to be surrendered due to rising medical costs and have a higher risk of euthanasia because of illness, age, or lower adoption rates. Additionally, older animals are more likely to be returned after adoption, making them the most vulnerable group in shelters.
To address these issues, animal shelters need to adapt their practices to better support aging pets. A study titled “Factors Informing Outcomes for Older Cats and Dogs in Animal Shelters” examined the factors that influence the outcomes of senior cats and dogs. The goal of this research is to help shelters improve their policies and programs, reducing the length of stay and increasing positive outcomes for older animals.
Study Methods
Austin Pets Alive! (APA) is a private rescue known for its high success rate in saving animals, including those considered euthanasia candidates. This study analyzed data on senior cats and dogs (84 months or older) in APA’s care between November 2016 and November 2017. The data was collected from the ShelterLuv database, which tracks intake, care, and outcome information for animals.
The study focused on 124 senior cats and 122 senior dogs that were surrendered to the Austin Animal Center (AAC) or other Texas shelters. Common reasons for surrender included being found as strays, housing or personal challenges, inability to care for the animal’s health, neglect, and abandonment.
Key data points collected for each animal included:
- Animal characteristics: Age, weight, breed, and physical condition (terminal, poor, requiring medical attention, or healthy).
- Intake information: Reason for surrender, including medical or behavioral issues.
- Care timeline: Time spent in APA’s custody, both on-site and in foster care.
- Treatment plans: Medical interventions, such as medication or surgery, and behavioral interventions, like socialization or training.
- Outcomes: Adoption, euthanasia, death in custody, or continued care.
To determine the health and behavioral status of each animal, APA’s veterinary staff conducted thorough assessments. Animals were categorized into different health conditions (terminal, further attention needed, or healthy), and behavioral assessments were performed by the Behavior Management Team. Based on these assessments, customized treatment plans were developed to address each animal’s specific needs.
Study Results
Over half of the animals in the sample studied were over 9 years old, and a majority had been either abandoned or found as strays. After assessment, it was found that 80% of the animals had medical needs, while less than 20% had behavioral concerns. Common health challenges included heartworm (35 dogs), FIV (14 cats), FeLV (5 cats), and ringworm (5 cats).
Senior animals spent significantly more time in APA’s care compared to the general population. Senior cats averaged 68 days (vs. 57 days for the general population), while dogs averaged 89 days (vs. 51 days for the general population). These extended stays, often involving intensive medical care, reflect APA’s commitment to providing quality of life for these animals.
The study found that the health condition of the animal at intake was a major factor in determining their outcome. Animals with terminal conditions, especially dogs, had an extremely high likelihood of euthanasia. However, animals requiring further medical attention or those in poor body condition had relatively high adoption rates (over 70%). Behavioral issues did not appear to significantly impact euthanasia rates in this sample, while owner surrender reasons only affected the outcomes for cats, but not for dogs.
Shelter Considerations
While spay/neuter programs have reduced the number of young animals in shelters, the aging population of shelter animals poses unique challenges. This study highlights the impact of increased length of stay and the need for specialized care.
Shelters must adapt to the growing population of senior animals. This requires a willingness to invest in more intensive medical and behavioral care, even at higher costs per animal. While advancements in veterinary medicine can improve the quality of life for senior animals, balancing these costs with the benefits is crucial.
Tools like the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status (an assessment of fitness of health before a surgical procedure) and Asilomar Accords, which assess an animal’s health and predict outcomes, can be valuable in making more accurate assessments during intake. Further research is also needed to understand the physical and emotional impacts of extended stays on both animals and shelter staff.
Collaborations between shelters and community organizations can increase live outcomes for at-risk animals. The partnership between AAC and APA, supported by community donations, fostering, and volunteering, demonstrates the power of resource-sharing. Innovative adoption programs, such as temporary adoptions and behavioral training, can also improve outcomes for senior animals. In particular, off-site foster care plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for senior animals.
Supporting families with senior pets can help prevent unnecessary surrenders. Programs that assist families with veterinary costs and provide information on managing the challenges of aging pets can help keep animals in their homes. Further research is needed to identify effective community-based initiatives that support both animals and their caretakers.
Conclusion
By identifying the gaps in shelter programs for older cats and dogs, shelter management can address the factors that have led to this population being one of the most at-risk for euthanasia. This research emphasizes the importance of preventative outreach, specialized medical and behavioral programs, and a robust foster care system to meet the needs of older animals both in their homes and in shelter care.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Shelter Dogs > No-Kill Movement > Minimizing Euthanasia
Year of Publication:
2018
External Link:
Hawes S, Kerrigan J, Morris K. Factors Informing Outcomes for Older Cats and Dogs in Animal Shelters. Animals. 2018; 8(3):36. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8030036