Dog relinquishment remains a pressing issue for animal welfare organizations in the United States. In an effort to understand the strategies that best support retention, Amanda R. Russo and colleagues conducted a national survey of 111 animal welfare organizations serving dogs. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, explored how shelters and community programs address the underlying causes that lead owners to give up their pets.
Respondents identified several major factors contributing to relinquishment, including limited access to affordable veterinary and behavioral services and a lack of pet-friendly housing. Many shelters have responded by implementing community-based programs such as behavior helplines, pet food banks, subsidized veterinary care, and temporary boarding for families in crisis.
Despite these efforts, the study revealed that resource limitations remain a critical barrier. Organizations often discontinued programs due to insufficient funding, staff shortages, or lack of partnerships. The authors argue that effective dog retention depends on strategic program development tailored to each community’s specific needs and on stronger collaboration with veterinary professionals and canine behavior experts.
This research highlights that dog retention is not solely a behavioral issue but also a social and economic one. When families receive the support needed to overcome temporary hardships, dogs are less likely to be surrendered, reducing shelter intake and improving welfare outcomes for both pets and people. Community-level engagement, rather than reactive sheltering, is emerging as a sustainable approach to dog welfare.
Source: Russo, A. R., Dowling-Guyer, S., & McCobb, E. (2021). Community Programming for Companion Dog Retention: A Survey of Animal Welfare Organizations. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 26, 117–131. Published February 2, 2021.
