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Today, SCIL’s volunteer data scientist, Dr. Michael Mavrovouniotis, published a peer-reviewed paper in the American Journal of Veterinary Research titled “Changes in live release rates of dogs in government-related animal shelters are retrospectively associated with changes in adoptions but not returns to owner or any intake category.” The study examined whether changes in live release rates (LRRs) at government-related shelters are associated with changes in intake, returns to owner, or adoptions at those same facilities.
The analysis found that, on average, improvements in LRRs are not associated with reductions in intake. In contrast, increases in LRRs are consistently associated with increases in adoptions.
While these findings are based on averages and should be interpreted with appropriate caution, they raise important concerns. In particular, the results call into question the growing emphasis within the sheltering industry on restricting intake as a primary strategy for improving outcomes.
Shelter transparency is a precondition for this type of study to guide shelters and policymakers. SCIL has consistently advocated for full disclosure of shelter statistics. We urge shelters to disclose their data voluntarily, and we urge legislators to mandate transparency for publicly-funded shelters.
The study looked at one-year changes. On a longer horizon, SCIL believes that strengthening spay and neuter programs, and enforcing breeding and spay-neuter ordinances as the most efficient and humane approach to addressing pet overpopulation.
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