Rehoming and relinquishment
"Better luck next time" is the title of a project being undertaken by one of our DVM (Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine) students. A DVM is a qualification undertaken by a qualified vet combining clinical work (in this case at a rescue shelter, Dogs Trust Loughborough) with a PhD level research project.
The aim of this project is to look at the experience owners have when they adopt a rescue dog, and investigate why some adoptions are successful and others are not. The project focuses on the attachment that owners form with their new pet, and the effect returning a dog has on the owner, dog and shelter staff.
A survey of a variety of different re-homing organisations, with varying protocols and populations of dogs, is currently being undertaken. Owners will be recruited when they choose their dog and will be followed over time. Information will be gathered by questionnaires and interview, both with owners who keep their pet and those who do not.
This project has only just started and the results will be made available as soon as possible.
Contacts: Gemma Clark, Rachel Dean, Jenny Stavisky, Lucy Asher