Dog- and owner-related risk factors for consideration of euthanasia or rehoming before a referral behavioral consultation and for euthanizing or rehoming the dog after the consultation

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2017.09.007

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Volume 22, November–December 2017, Pages 46-56

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.09.007 Get rights and content

Abstract

The objective of our research was to identify pet-, owner-, and environment-related risk factors for euthanasia or rehoming of dogs presenting to a veterinary behavioral service. In this retrospective clinical study, we examined 302 patient records for dog and owner demographics, presenting complaints, clinical diagnoses, home environment, behavioral and medical history, and disposition of the patient at 3 and 6 months after visit. Data were analyzed for the association of pet-, owner-, and environment-related factors with (A) owners having considered euthanasia before the behavioral consultation; (B) owners having considered either rehoming or euthanasia before the consultation; (C) owners having rehomed or euthanized the dog up to 3 months after the consultation; (D) owners having rehomed or euthanized the dog 6 months after the consultation. In order to individuate the risk factors for rehoming and euthanasia, logistic regression analysis was conducted on pet-, owner-, and environment-related factors significantly associated (P < 0.05) with A, B, C, and D. Canine variables associated with a greater risk of rehoming or euthanasia and/or the owners considering rehoming or euthanasia included heavier weight; mixed breed; aggression to familiar people over resources, resting places, or when groomed/medicated; aggression to unfamiliar people during interactions; a history of biting; and living in a family with children aged 13-17 years. Associated owner variables included the use of punishment-based training and previous consultation with a nonveterinary behaviorist or trainer. Several pet-, owner-, and environment-related factors, other than the behavioral problem itself, can increase the likelihood of rehoming and euthanasia. These findings can provide an indication to closely follow-up with owners after the behavioral consultation to minimize the likelihood of actual rejection of the dog.

Introduction

Although 20%-30% of pet owners report significant and prolonged grief after the death of their pets (Adrian et al., 2009, Adams et al., 2000), millions of owners choose to have their pets euthanized in the United States every year (New et al., 2000). Among the possible causes of relinquishment and euthanasia, behavioral problems are known to play an important role (Kass et al., 2001, Scarlett et al., 2002). Behavioral problems are the leading cause of relinquishment of dogs to shelters (Salman et al., 2000) and are also a frequent cause of euthanasia in dogs (Edney, 1998, Proschowsky et al., 2003, Stead, 1982). Aggressive behavior, in particular, is probably the most commonly cited behavioral reason for euthanasia (Lund et al., 2010, Reisner et al., 1994).

Forty percent of dogs were surrendered to 12 US shelters with one or more behavioral problems reported by their owners (Salman et al., 2000). Kwan and Bain (2013) reported a similar finding in which 48% of owners among 3 shelters in California stated that at least 1 problem behavior was a strong influence on their decision to relinquish their pet. However, these percentages may underestimate the contributing role of behavioral problems in relinquishment of dogs, since owners may not report behavioral problems for fear of pet euthanasia following surrender (Segurson et al., 2005, Weiss et al., 2014). When behavioral problems were reported as the sole reason for relinquishment, biting and aggression to people were cited most frequently. Furthermore, in a study conducted in the United Kingdom, behavioral problems were the second most frequent reason—after medical problems—for euthanasia in dogs (Stead, 1982). A more recent study from the United Kingdom reports a change in this dynamic in which the leading causes of owner relinquishment are behavioral problems and a need for attention greater than what could be afforded by the owner (Diesel et al., 2010). These findings concur with a recent meta-analysis reporting that frequently cited reasons for relinquishment or euthanasia of pet dogs were behavioral problems and aggression (Lambert et al., 2015). Additional reasons for relinquishment included moving, owner health/illness, human expectation, no time for pet, and cost, whereas additional reasons for euthanasia were associated with injury and being geriatric and/or having a medical disease (Lambert et al., 2015). Other risk factors for rehoming and euthanasia have been identified. Having attended training classes decreases the probability of relinquishment and increases the probability of a successful adoption in sheltered dogs (Diesel et al., 2008, Patronek et al., 1996). The presence of other household pets, including adoption of a new pet, was significantly associated with relinquishment of a dog, particularly for behavioral reason (Salman et al., 2000). Thirty-nine percent of dogs relinquished because of a behavioral problem that had been acquired from a shelter (Salman et al., 2000), and mixed-breed dogs were at a greater risk of being relinquished (New et al., 2000, Patronek et al., 1996). In a study investigating relinquishment of dogs over 40 pounds in 2 metropolitan cities, Weiss et al. (2014) reported that changes in the household and several dog-related factors including behavior, aggression, expense, and size contributed to the owners' decision.

Although some risk factors for rehoming and euthanasia of dogs have been identified, there have been no studies to date of risk factors in dogs presented to a referral behavioral clinic. Awareness of the risk factors for rehoming and euthanasia of dogs with behavioral problems may help both primary care and specialty clinicians to identify cases needing a strongly emphatic approach and more frequent follow-up to support those owners who are at an increased risk to reject their pet. Even when the decision to euthanize is made, clinicians can provide appropriate support and assistance during this painful process.

The goal of this clinical study was to determine pet-, owner-, and environmental-related factors associated with (A) the consideration of euthanasia before a behavioral consultation by owners of dogs presented to a referral veterinary behavioral service; (B) the consideration of either rehoming or euthanasia before a behavioral consultation; in addition to, (C) owners who decided to rehome or euthanize their dog within 3 months following the behavioral consultation, and (D) owners who decided to rehome or euthanize their dog within 6 months of the initial consultation. An additional objective was to determine which of these factors might increase the risk of the consideration to rehome and/or euthanize prior to the consultation and of the decision to rehome or euthanize the dog after the consultation.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

The medical and behavioral records of all dogs presenting to the Behavior Service of the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (BS-VHUP) from October 2008 to October 2010, which included a lengthy behavior questionnaire, were included in the study. Owners scheduled for an appointment with the BS-VHUP completed a questionnaire prior to the consultation (A copy of the questionnaire is available upon request from the corresponding author.), which solicited

Results

Medical and behavioral files of 302 dogs were analyzed. Twelve questionnaires were excluded because of extensive missing data or because the dog was owned by a rescue service (in which case rehoming was expected). A total of 290 questionnaires were used for data collection.

The results of descriptive statistics from the questionnaire completed by the owner (Table 1) and from the diagnoses formulated during the consultation (Figure) are presented in the following subsections.

Discussion

Previous studies have investigated risk factors for relinquishment and likelihood of success of adoption of shelter dogs (Diesel et al., 2008; Patronek et al., 1996, Patronek et al., 1995), and the outcome associated with specific behavioral problems, for example, canine aggression and biting (Guy et al., 2001a, Guy et al., 2001b, Reisner et al., 1994, Reisner et al., 2005). However, to our knowledge, this study is the first to examine factors associated with dog owners' thoughts of rehoming or

Conclusion

Aside from the diagnosed behavioral problems, several owner-, pet-, and environment-related factors can increase the risk of consideration of euthanasia and/or rehoming before a behavioral consultation and of following through with euthanasia or rehoming after the appointment. These factors might therefore help veterinary practitioners explain the implications for outcome. Many of the risk factors for rehoming and euthanasia are routinely included in the anamnesis of a dog presented for

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank Ms. Alison Seward for her assistance in data collection and entry.

The idea of the paper was conceived by Ilana R. Reisner. The protocol was designed by Ilana R. Reisner and Carlo Siracusa. The data collection was performed by Carlo Siracusa. The data were analyzed by Carlo Siracusa and Lena Provoost.

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Canine ResearchDog- and owner-related risk factors for consideration of euthanasia or rehoming before a referral behavioral consultation and for euthanizing or rehoming the dog after the consultation

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Prev. Vet. Med.

Trends Neurosci.

Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.

Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.

Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.

Prev. Vet. Med.

Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.

J. Vet. Behav.: Clin. Appl. Res.

Prev. Vet. Med.

Predictors of owner response to companion animal death in 177 clients from 14 practices in Ontario

J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.

Complicated grief and posttraumatic stress disorder in humans' response to the death of pets/animals

Bull. Menninger Clin.

Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in dogs: 1,644 cases (1991-2001)

J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.

Animal-related activities and appreciation of animals among children and adolescents

Anthrozoös

From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain

Nat. Neurosci.

Pet care during preadolescence: developmental considerations

Child Care Health Dev.

The role of the family in behavioral therapy

Developmental changes in adolescents' perceptions of relationships with their parents

J. Youth. Adolesc.

Characteristics of relinquished dogs and their owners at 14 rehoming centers in the United Kingdom

J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci.

Reason for euthanasia of dogs and cats

Vet. Rec.

Dog keeping in Taiwan: its contribution to the problem of free-roaming dogs

J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci.

Understanding animal companion surplus in the United States: relinquishment of non-adoptables to animal shelters for euthanasia

J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci.

Canine Research
Dog- and owner-related risk factors for consideration of euthanasia or rehoming before a referral behavioral consultation and for euthanizing or rehoming the dog after the consultation