Three Things to Know
Researchers analyzed four months of pet return data at a shelter and found that behavioral issues were the primary reason for returning dogs, accounting for 55.9% of cases.
Most shelters prioritize reducing returns within the first 30 days. However, this research shows that many pets were returned after over a year of ownership, suggesting a need to extend post-adoption services.
Despite offering lifetime behavior support, over 50% of dog owners who returned their pets did not use the service. Researchers suggested that addressing systemic issues, like financial or housing constraints, could improve the utilization of these services.
The Full Picture
In the U.S., between 7% and 20% of adopted pets are returned to shelters within six months. Returned pets, especially those with health, age, or behavioral problems, are more likely to be euthanized. By understanding why pets are returned, we can develop programs to keep more pets in loving homes.
This study, “Factors Informing the Return of Adopted Dogs and Cats to an Animal Shelter,” examines why dogs and cats are returned. The study analyzes factors like how long people owned the pets, the reasons for returning them, and whether people used pet retention services.
Study Methods
Shelter Selection
This study focused on a private animal shelter in Austin, Texas. The shelter specializes in at-risk animals, including those facing euthanasia or long-term stays in other shelters. The shelter was chosen due to its innovative programs, high success rate in placing difficult-to-adopt animals, and detailed record-keeping.
To reduce pet relinquishment and promote pet retention, the shelter offers several programs:
- Relinquishment Alternatives: Provides counseling, education, and temporary financial assistance to help owners keep their pets or find foster care during difficult times.
- Low-Cost Veterinary Care Referrals: Connects pet owners with affordable spay/neuter services and veterinary clinics.
- Behavior Support Team: Offers free, lifetime behavior advice for adopted pets.
- Free Wellness Exam: Includes a coupon for a wellness check and preventive treatments in adoption packets.
- Medical Support: Provides ongoing medical care for pets with pre-existing conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Adoption contracts require returned pets to be brought back to the original shelter, rather than another organization.
Study Subjects
This study analyzed data on pets returned to the shelter between July and October 2018. Returned pets were categorized into two groups: “returned adoptions” (owned for less than 30 days) and “owner/guardian surrenders” (owned for more than 30 days). For each pet, the following information was collected: species, sex, age, size, breed, length of ownership, reason for return, and subsequent outcome.
Study Results
Reason for Returns
The study revealed distinct patterns in the reasons and timing of animal returns. The primary reason for returning dogs to the shelter was behavioral issues, accounting for 55.9% of returns. Specifically, aggression towards humans (23.5%) and other animals (14.7%) were the most common behavioral problems. For cats, personal reasons were the leading cause of returns, cited in 56.9% of cases. The most frequent personal reasons included moving (19.4%), health issues of the adopter (11.1%), and inability to afford care (11.1%). Behavioral issues were the second most common reason for cat returns (34.7%), with aggression towards humans (12.5%) and destructive behavior (11.1%) being the most prevalent. Medical issues were the least common reason for returns, accounting for 8.8% of dogs and 5.6% of cats.
Timing of Returns
Regarding the length of ownership, the study found that most returned dogs (51%) and cats (57%) had been in their adoptive homes for over 60 days, with a notable portion returned more than a year after adoption (22.6% of dogs and 29.2% of cats). Contrary to previous studies suggesting that the majority of returns occur within the first two weeks, only 27% of animals in this study were returned during that period. This discrepancy highlights inconsistencies in how pet retention and return timelines are defined and measured.
The shelter’s policy of providing unlimited post-adoption support might contribute to longer ownership durations before returns, potentially helping retain pets. The study suggests that shelters may benefit from redefining “return” and “relinquishment” and extending the eligibility period for post-adoption resources to better support adopters and reduce return rates.
Impact of Shelter Support Program
While the shelter offered various support programs to help adopters, many were not fully utilized. Despite most adopters (89.2% who returned dogs) being aware of the Behavior Support Team, a significant portion (51%) did not use the service. This indicates a gap in effectively connecting adopters with available post-adoption support.
Behavior training courses have shown promise in reducing dog behavior issues, but participation remains low. While education is often emphasized as a preventive strategy, systemic issues like financial constraints, housing restrictions, and language barriers play a more significant role in pet relinquishment. The study found that a significant portion of dogs and cats were returned due to personal reasons linked to systemic challenges, such as affordability and housing restrictions. These systemic challenges may also prevent owners from seeking help from the Behavior Support Team. As such, researchers emphasized the importance of addressing systemic barriers and improving the accessibility and effectiveness of pet retention programs.
Outcomes for Returned Pets
During the study period, a majority of returned animals were successfully rehomed: 52% of dogs and 63.9% of cats. Euthanasia rates were low: only 1% of dogs and 2.8% of cats were euthanized. However, a significant portion remained in the shelter’s care: 44.1% of dogs and 33.3% of cats.
These outcomes align with findings from a study by Patronek and Crowe, which showed high live release rates (97%) for animals returned to a similar shelter model in Tucson, Arizona. In contrast, general trends in other shelters report euthanasia rates of 40-50% for returned dogs, often citing health concerns, size issues, escape behaviors, and separation anxiety as reasons.
Conclusion
The study examined the primary reasons for returning adopted cats and dogs to a shelter in Austin, Texas. Behavioral issues were the main reason for returning dogs, while personal reasons, such as moving or financial difficulties, were most common for cats. These findings emphasize the need for pre- and post-adoption programs that address behavioral challenges and systemic barriers like access to affordable veterinary and behavioral care. Additionally, the study advocates for expanding the definition of returned adoptions beyond 30 days post-adoption to better understand the complexities of pet retention.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Shelter Dogs > Post-Adoption Management > Reasons for Return
Year of Publication:
2020
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