ABSTRACT

The ability of animal shelter employees to identify poor welfare states in kenneled dogs is crucial for the mitigation of suffering. Animal shelter employees (n = 28), animal behavior professional (n = 49), and the general public (n = 41) watched 10 videos of kenneled dogs then rated the welfare of the dogs, stated the rationale for their score, indicated how they would improve the welfare, and rated the feasibility of improvements. Professionals gave slightly lower (poorer) welfare scores compared to the public (z = -1.998, p = 0.046). Shelter employees (z = -5.976, p < 0.001) and professionals (z = 9.047, p < 0.001) used body language and behavior to explain their welfare scores more than the public. All three populations mentioned the addition of enrichment to improve the welfare, however, shelter employees (z = -5.748, p < 0.001) and professionals (z = 6.046, p < 0.001) mentioned it significantly more. There were no significant differences in the perceived feasibility of changes. Future research should explore possible reasons for the lack of welfare improvements within animal shelters.

摘要

动物收容所员工识别养犬福利状况不佳的能力对于减轻痛苦至关重要。动物收容所员工 (n = 28)、动物行为专业人员 (n = 49) 和普通公众 (n = 41) 观看了 10 段狗舍视频，然后对狗的福利进行评分，陈述他们得分的理由，说明如何他们会改善福利，并对改善的可行性进行评级。与公众相比，专业人士给出的福利分数略低（较差）（z = -1.998，p = 0.046）。避难所员工 (z = -5.976, p < 0.001) 和专业人员 (z = 9.047, p < 0.001) 使用肢体语言和行为来解释他们的福利分数比公众更多。所有三个人群都提到增加浓缩物以改善福利，但是，庇护所雇员 (z = -5.748, p < 0. 001) 和专业人士 (z = 6.046, p < 0.001) 提到它的次数明显更多。在感知到的变革可行性方面没有显着差异。未来的研究应该探索动物收容所内福利改善不足的可能原因。