The introduction of no-kill policy for Italian sheltered dogs has resulted in their permanently detention in long-term facilities, if they are not returned to the owner or adopted. In this scenario sheltered dogs can be exposed to many stressors such as poor environment, social deprivation, spatial confinement and changes in their routine For this reason the welfare of sheltered dogs is an important topic for the scientific community as well as for public opinion. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors which affected mostly the welfare of sheltered dogs through the application Shelter Quality protocol (SQP) in Italian long-term shelters by linking input/outcome variables. The SQP was applied in 64 Italian long-term shelters which took part to the study voluntarily. Logistic regression analysis were carried out on data collected to identify the main factors which affect the welfare of dogs in shelter environment. Management factors such as feeding regimen ad libitum (β 0.59; P<0.05), type of diet with cooked food (β 2.27; P<0,001),the impossibility to access daily to outdoor area (β 0,93; P<0,001) showed a significant association with inadequate BCS. The probability to observe skin lesions was influenced by bedding inadequacy (β 0,54; P<0,01) and bedding type (β -1.0501; P< 0.05). The presence of clean bedding materials was significantly associated with lower probability to observe dirty/wet dogs (β -0.86; P<0.001) as well as the presence of one bed per dog (β -0.49; P<0.001). The inadequacy of shelter from adverse weather conditions (β 1,52; P<0,001) and bedding materials (β 1,16; P<0,05) were significantly associated with manifestation of polypnoea. The absence of training activities with dogs (β 0,30; P<0,05), the impossibility to outdoor areas’ access (β 0,44; P<0,01) and to walk on leash (β 0,26; P<0,05) increased significantly the probability to observe fear and aggressive dogs’ reaction toward humans. The probability to observe signs of diarrhoea increased significantly when the feeding regimen is one/day (β 1,56; P<0,01) or ad libitum (β 1,31; P<0.05), and when the access to outdoor areas was not allowed (β 0,72; P<0,05). The SQP has confirmed its useful in identifying most welfare hazards in the shelter environment and management. The identification of critical aspects can also permit to plan strategic interventions in order to minimize the risks and improve the welfare of dogs housed in long-term shelters.

Risk factors' evaluation for dogs' welfare housed in long-term shelters / G. Berteselli, L. Arena, L. Candeloro, P. Dalla Villa, F. De Massis - In: Conference: UFAW Animal Welfare Conference Recent advances in animal welfare science VI[s.l] : UFAW, 2018. - pp. 39-39 (( Intervento presentato al 6. convegno Conference: UFAW Animal Welfare Conference Recent advances in animal welfare science VI tenutosi a Newcastle upon Tyne nel 2018.

Risk factors' evaluation for dogs' welfare housed in long-term shelters

G. Berteselli
Primo
;
2018

Abstract

The introduction of no-kill policy for Italian sheltered dogs has resulted in their permanently detention in long-term facilities, if they are not returned to the owner or adopted. In this scenario sheltered dogs can be exposed to many stressors such as poor environment, social deprivation, spatial confinement and changes in their routine For this reason the welfare of sheltered dogs is an important topic for the scientific community as well as for public opinion. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors which affected mostly the welfare of sheltered dogs through the application Shelter Quality protocol (SQP) in Italian long-term shelters by linking input/outcome variables. The SQP was applied in 64 Italian long-term shelters which took part to the study voluntarily. Logistic regression analysis were carried out on data collected to identify the main factors which affect the welfare of dogs in shelter environment. Management factors such as feeding regimen ad libitum (β 0.59; P<0.05), type of diet with cooked food (β 2.27; P<0,001),the impossibility to access daily to outdoor area (β 0,93; P<0,001) showed a significant association with inadequate BCS. The probability to observe skin lesions was influenced by bedding inadequacy (β 0,54; P<0,01) and bedding type (β -1.0501; P< 0.05). The presence of clean bedding materials was significantly associated with lower probability to observe dirty/wet dogs (β -0.86; P<0.001) as well as the presence of one bed per dog (β -0.49; P<0.001). The inadequacy of shelter from adverse weather conditions (β 1,52; P<0,001) and bedding materials (β 1,16; P<0,05) were significantly associated with manifestation of polypnoea. The absence of training activities with dogs (β 0,30; P<0,05), the impossibility to outdoor areas’ access (β 0,44; P<0,01) and to walk on leash (β 0,26; P<0,05) increased significantly the probability to observe fear and aggressive dogs’ reaction toward humans. The probability to observe signs of diarrhoea increased significantly when the feeding regimen is one/day (β 1,56; P<0,01) or ad libitum (β 1,31; P<0.05), and when the access to outdoor areas was not allowed (β 0,72; P<0,05). The SQP has confirmed its useful in identifying most welfare hazards in the shelter environment and management. The identification of critical aspects can also permit to plan strategic interventions in order to minimize the risks and improve the welfare of dogs housed in long-term shelters.
dog; shelter; risk assessment; welfare
Settore AGR/19 - Zootecnica Speciale
2018
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/922675
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