Preliminary analysis of post-adoption outcomes for kittens and adult cats rehomed through a New Zealand animal shelter

ABSTRACT

Aims: To determine the frequency of different types of health and behavioural problems observed in the first month after adoption in kittens and adult cats rehomed through an animal shelter in New Zealand, to assess satisfaction of adopters and to determine the preferences of adopters for provision of post-adoption support.

Methods: The adopters of kittens and cats from an animal shelter in Auckland, New Zealand between 15 October 2016–4 December 2016 were invited to complete a survey 1 week and 1 month after adoption. Respondents were asked about how well the animal was settling into the household, whether they had observed any health or behavioural problems, and what their preferences were for receiving post-adoption support.

Results: Data from at least one survey were available for 83/115 (72.2%) kittens and 70/155 (45.6%) adult cats, with 39/115 (34%) adopters of kittens and 35/155 (23%) adopters of adult cats completing surveys at both 1 week and 1 month after adoption. By 1 month after adoption 57/60 (95%) adopted kittens and 40/53 (75%) adopted adult cats had settled well into their new home. At 1 month after adoption 28/60 (47%) kittens and 26/53 (49%) cats had ≥1 reported behavioural problem, and 16/60 (27%) kittens and 18/53 (34%) cats had ≥1 reported health problem. The most common problem behaviours for kittens were episodes of hyperactivity and scratching household items, and for adult cats were spending most of the time hiding and scratching household items. The most common health problems for kittens were eye problems and sneezing or a runny nose, and for adult cats were sneezing or a runny nose. Amongst respondents, the most helpful support for recent adopters was considered to be an email or phone call 1 month after adoption from the animal shelter.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Although many adopters reported health and/or behavioural issues in their adopted kittens and adult cats, most issues were generally mild and the adopters were generally satisfied with their animals. Providing new adopters with advice about managing common health and behavioural issues such as upper respiratory disease and scratching household items may increase satisfaction with adoptions.

KEYWORDS:

• Animal adoption
• human-animal bond
• kitten adoption
• post-adoption follow-up
• animal shelter
• animal welfare

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the adopters who participated in the study and the shelter staff for their assistance.

ORCID

MC Gates http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7790-1945

Notes

1 https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2019.1662340

2 https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2019.1662340

3 https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2019.1662340