Dog relinquishment remains a pressing welfare and social issue, with shelters often serving as the last resort for guardians unable to keep their pets. In this study, Eagan, Gordon, and Protopopova (2022) examined 32,081 cases of dog relinquishment to BC SPCA shelters between 2008 and 2019. The goal was to identify how animal- and region-related factors predicted specific reasons for relinquishment.
The most common reasons were: too many dogs (19%), housing issues (17%), personal issues (15%), financial issues (10%), dog behavior (10%), and guardian health (8%). Importantly, trends shifted over time. The proportion of relinquishments due to too many dogs and behavioral issues increased significantly, while those attributed to financial problems declined slightly.
Predictive analysis revealed demographic and regional patterns. For example, puppies, mixed breeds, and small dogs from smaller communities were most often relinquished for “too many.” Senior dogs from larger cities were frequently given up due to housing restrictions, while young adult or adult large dogs were more likely to be relinquished for behavioral reasons. Guardians’ own health challenges also played a role, particularly for small senior dogs from rural areas.
These findings underscore the need for region-specific interventions. In small communities, addressing issues of animal overpopulation may reduce relinquishments, while in urban centers, pet-inclusive housing policies and accessible veterinary care could help keep families and dogs together. The study highlights how relinquishment is not only about the dog’s traits but also about broader social and economic factors influencing guardianship.
Source: Eagan, B., Gordon, E., & Protopopova, A. (2022). Reasons for Guardian-Relinquishment of Dogs to Shelters: Animal and Regional Predictors in British Columbia, Canada. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9. Published April 14, 2022.
