DETERMINING FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION OF DOGS FROM AN ANIMAL SHELTER

Objective-To determine whether certain characteristics of dogs offered for adoption are associated with successful adoption. Design-Retrospe ctive cohort study. Animals-1.468 relinquished dogs offered for adopti on at a local humane society. Procedure-Data regarding dogs offered fo r adoption were obtained from surveys completed by previous owners. Da ta were analyzed by use of bivariate statistics and multivariable logi stic regression. Results-Of dogs offered for adoption, 1,073 were succ essfully adopted, 239 were not adopted, and 157 were returned to the s helter after adoption. Terrier, hound, toy, and nonsporting breeds wer e found to be significantly associated with successful adoption (P < 0 .05, chi(2) analysis). Certain coat colors (gold, gray, and white), sm all size, and history of an indoor environment were also significant p redictors of successful adoption. The correlation coefficient (0.048) indicated that only a small percentage of variance in adoption success could be explained by the multiple logistic regression model. Clinica l Implications-Animal shelter managers with limited kennel capacity ma y wish to periodically use surveys to determine whether the type of do g being offered to the public reflects the type of dog the public will adopt.