Factors Associated with Veterinary Professionals' Intent to Intervene in Cases of Animal Maltreatment

This study investigates the factors that contribute to veterinary professionals' intentions to intervene in cases of suspected animal abuse. A survey was distributed to students, faculty, and staff in two Veterinary Medicine programs. Factors assessed in this study include intentions to intervene, confidence to intervene and educate, time in practice, research knowledge, legal knowledge, procedural knowledge, and experiences applying and educating regarding animal abuse. These variables were assessed through bivariate correlations and path analysis. Results indicate that the perceived seriousness of animal abuse and confidence to intervene are significantly associated with intentions to intervene in cases of suspected animal abuse. In addition, perceived seriousness of animal abuse, procedural knowledge, and applied and educational experiences in relation to animal abuse are significantly associated with confidence to intervene and educate in cases of suspected animal abuse. Confidence was found to mediate the effect that procedural knowledge has upon intentions to intervene. Veterinary professionals' intentions to intervene in cases of suspected animal abuse may depend upon factors beyond their knowledge of how to intervene; such factors may include the perceived seriousness of such abuse, their procedural knowledge, and their confidence in their abilities to intervene.