Sex, age and size as factors affecting the length of stay of dogs in Czech shelters

Abstract

Certain factors associated with the characteristics of sheltered dogs can be important in the adoption process. This study focused on the sex, age, and size of abandoned dogs in Czech shelters. Abandoned male dogs remained significantly longer in shelters (median 27 days) compared to abandoned females (median 21 days). With respect to potential adopters, bitches were the preferred sex in Czech shelters. Young abandoned dogs up to the age of one year had the shortest length of stay (median 19 days), whereas older dogs had the longest length of stay, i.e. dogs in the age range of 7-9 years (median 53.5 days) as well as dogs older than 9 years (median 54 days). Abandoned dogs over 65 cm at the withers, i.e. giant dogs, and abandoned dogs up to 35 cm at the withers, i.e. small dogs, had the shortest length of stay in Czech shelters, with medians of 16 days and 21 days, respectively. Medium-sized dogs, i.e. dogs measuring between 35-50 cm at the withers, and large dogs, i.e. dogs measuring between 51-65 cm at the withers had the longest length of stay in shelters. A better understanding of factors that negatively affect the adoption process in abandoned sheltered dogs can significantly shorten the length of stay of such dogs in Czech shelters and help to improve the adoption process itself as well as the welfare of sheltered dogs.