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Using Free Adoptions to Reduce Crowding and Euthanasia at Cat Shelters: An Australian Case Study
Heather M Crawford1, Joseph B Fontaine2, Michael C Calver3
1Environmental and Conservation Sciences Cluster, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Australia. crawfh01@gmail.com.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|December 7, 2017
Summary
Waiving adoption fees for adult cats in shelters successfully increased adoptions by 533% without negative outcomes. This approach, including for first-time cat owners, proved safe and effective for animal welfare.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Welfare
- Shelter Medicine
Background:
- Shelters euthanize healthy adult cats due to overcrowding.
- Waiving adoption fees is a strategy to increase rehoming.
- Concerns exist about attracting less responsible owners to free adoption events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a free adoption drive for adult cats.
- To compare post-adoption outcomes between free and fee-paying adopters.
- To assess owner compliance with animal husbandry legislation.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a free adoption drive for cats aged one year or older.
- Comparison of free adopters with a control group of normal-fee adopters.
- Tracking of cat fate, health, and owner legislative compliance post-adoption.
Main Results:
- Free adoption drive rehomed 137 cats, increasing weekly adoptions by 533%.
- First-time adopters were more prevalent in the free group.
- Post-adoption retention rates (>90%), medical/behavioral issues, and legislative compliance were similar between groups.
- Full-fee kitten adoptions increased by 381% during the drive.
Conclusions:
- Free adoption drives for adult cats are effective in increasing rehoming rates.
- No evidence suggests adverse outcomes or reduced owner responsibility associated with free adoptions.
- Shelters can utilize free adoption events during overflow periods to reduce euthanasia and improve overall adoption numbers.
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