Comparison of the characteristics and attitudes of dog adopters from three dog rescue groups

274 Pages·2013·1.49 MB·English

by  A. Morrie Craig

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Zelda L. Zimmerman for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
in Animal Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology presented on May 31, 2013.

Title: Comparison of the Characteristics and Attitudes of Dog Adopters from Three Dog
Rescue Groups.

Abstract approved:

Linda L. Blythe

A web-based survey was conducted to investigate the relationships between adopters and
the dogs they adopted from three types of rescue groups/organizations: humane societies,
greyhound rescues, and pit bull rescues. The dog selected to adopt can vary for many
reasons, one of which is breed preference. This study found dog adopters from the three
rescues differ according to different owner demographic characteristics, reasons for
adoption, attitudes toward the adopted dog, feelings of attachment to the adopted dog,
and experiences with the dog and rescue organizations. Two thirds of the pit pull adopters
took their dog to obedience training while on one-third of the adopters from the other
rescue groups did. The majority of all adopters responding felt they had helped save a life
by adopting from a rescue organization but the pit bull adopters indicated felt most
strongly (82%) compared to humane society adopters (67%) and greyhound adopters
(60%). This study also found commonalities in the emotional experience of having a
close and caring relationship with a pet, irrespective of where an adopter finds the
companion dog. The majority of all adopters (93%) considered their adopted dog as
member of the family rather than a pet. Stereotypes associated with the types of rescue
dogs adopted were confirmed and/or dispelled. Overall, the adopters were satisfied with
their adopted rescue dog as well as feeling their adopted dog exceeded their expectations.
Nearly 95% of adopters in each rescue indicated they would adopt future dogs from the
same rescue organization. Future studies are needed to address underrepresentation of
males and minority racial/ethnic groups as well as access responses from adopters not
volunteering to participate in an online survey.

Key Words: dog rescue adoption, companion animal, human-animal bond, internet
survey
© Copyright by Zelda L. Zimmerman
May 31, 2013
All Rights Reserved
Comparison of the Characteristics and Attitudes of Dog Adopters
from Three Dog Rescue Groups

by
Zelda L. Zimmerman

A THESIS
Submitted to
Oregon State University

in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the
degree of

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

Presented May 31, 2013
Commencement June 2013
Master of Arts in Interdisiplinary Studies thesis of Zelda L. Zimmerman
Presented on May 31, 2013

APPROVED:

Major Professor, Representing Animal Sciences

Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program

Dean of the Graduate School

I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State
University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader
upon request.

Zelda L. Zimmerman, Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to acknowledge our furry friends (companion animals/pets) whose
gentle, nurturing ways have added enjoyment to our lives. This research on the
relationship between people and animals was conducted in order to further the knowledge
of the human-animal bond.
I would like to thank the humane societies (Lila Miller, DVM, Vice-President of
Veterinary Outreach at the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New
York; Cary Liberman, Executive Director at the Greenhill Human Society in Eugene,
Oregon; Kris Ottoman, DVM, Director of Shelter Medicine, Oregon Humane Society,
Portland, Oregon; Jamie Fitzpatrick, Shelter Operations Director, Willamette Humane
Society, Salem, Oregon), greyhound rescues (Gary Guccione, Director, National
Greyhound Association; and Brett and Donna Weeks, Greyhound Pets of America,
Maryland Chapter), and pit bull rescues(Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, Oregon State University)
for letting me assess their adopter databases. I would especially like to thank the adopters
(guardians/owners) who have contributed their ideas and experiences to this study.
Further, I would like to acknowledge the time and attention to this research by my
major professor and adjunct Animal Science Department committee representative,
Dr. Linda L. Blythe; my Sociology Department committee representative, Dr. Jeffrey A.
Hale; my Psychology Department committee representative, Dr. Frank J. Bernieri; and
my Graduate School representative, Dr. Deborah J. Rubel. I would also thank Dr. A.
Morrie Craig for financially supporting my time at OSU and his contributions to the
completion of this thesis.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Chapter 1: Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 1

Terminology ………………………………………………………………. 4
Pets verses companion animals …………………………… 4
Owners verses animal guardians ………………………….. 6
Companion Animal (Pet) Adoption ………………………………………. 7

Chapter 2: Histories of Rescue Organizations and Adoption Programs ………..……. 8

History of Animal Shelters and Humane Societies …………….……..…... 8
History of the Greyhound and Its Rescue Organizations ………...….……. 11
History of the Pit Bull and Its Rescue Organizations ………………...…… 16

Chapter : 3 :Research Aims and Study Objectives ……………………….…………. 21

Research Aims …………………………………………………………...... 21
Study Objectives ………………………………………………………...... 23

Chapter 4: Literature Review ………………………………………………………… 26

Dogs as Companions ……………………………………………………. 26
Internet Surveys …………………………………………………………. 30

Chapter 5: Justification ………………………………………………………………. 33

Chapter 6: Method …………………………………………………………………… 35

Survey Instrument ………………………………………………………… 35
Participants ………………………………………………………………... 36
Study Implementation …………………………………………………….. 37
Data Analysis ……………………………………………………………... 37

Chapter 7: Results ……………………………………………………………………. 40

Demographic Information (Q1-11, & Q13) …………………….………… 41
Resources Used for Adoption Information (Q12 and Q14) ………...…….. 59
Influences on the Adoption Decision (Q15 - 22) …………………...…….. 61
Comfort from Companion Animal Scale (CCAS) (Q18, & Q23 – 34 ……. 74
Adopter’s Feeling of Satisfaction with the Adopted Rescue Dog (Q35) …. 91
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
Chapter 7: Results (Continued)

Number of Dogs and the Length of Time Lived with Rescue Dog
(Q36 - 39) …………………………………………………………………. 92
Activities Rescue Adopters do with Their Adopted Dogs (Q40 - 41,
& Q44) …………………………………………………………………….. 96
Responsibilities for the Care and Health of the Adopted Dog (Q42 - 43) .. 99
Influence on Decision to Proceed with Expensive Medical Procedure
(Q45) ……………………………………………………………………… 102
Behavior Problems Exhibited by the Adopted Rescue Dogs (Q46) ……… 103
Possible Reasons for Relinquishment of the Adopted Rescue Dog (Q47) .. 105
Other Household Pets (Other Dogs and Cats) (Q48 - 49) ………………… 106
Feelings About Future Rescue Adoptions (Q50) …………………………. 108
Feelings Toward the Adopted Rescue Dog (Q51 – 52) …………………... 109
Adopter’s Volunteer Characteristics (Q53 – 55) ………………………….. 112

Chapter 8: Discussion 116

Demographic Information (Q1-11, & Q13) …………………………….… 116
Resources Used for Adoption Information (Q12 and Q14) ………….…… 125
Influences on the Adoption Decision (Q15 - 22) ………………………..... 130
Comfort from Companion Animal Scale (CCAS) (Q18, & Q23 – 34) ..….. 151
Adopter’s Feeling of Satisfaction with the Adopted Rescue Dog (Q35) …. 166
Number of Dogs and the Length of Time Lived with Rescue Dog
Q36 - 39) ………………………………………………………………….. 168
Activities Rescue Adopters Do with Their Adopted Dogs (Q40 - 41,
& Q44) …………………………………………………………………….. 173
Responsibilities for the Care and Health of the Adopted Dog (Q42 - 43) ... 177
Influence on Decision to Proceed with Expensive Medical Procedure
(Q45) ……………………………………………………………………… 179
Behavior Problems Exhibited by the Adopted Rescue Dogs (Q46) ……… 180
Possible Reasons for Relinquishment of the Adopted Rescue Dog (Q47) .. 183
Other Household Pets (Other Dogs and Cats) (Q48 - 49) …………….…... 188
Feelings About Future Rescue Adoptions (Q50) …………………….…… 190
Feelings Toward the Adopted Rescue Dog (Q51 - 52) ………………...…. 191
Adopter’s Volunteer Characteristics (Q53 - 55) …………………..…..….. 199

Chapter 9: Conclusion ………………………………………………………………... 204

References ……………………………………………………………………………. 211

Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………... 237

Rescue dog adopter survey instrument ……………………………………. 238
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1. Comparison of rescue groups on Q1, gender of the respondent. …………….… 42
2. Comparison of rescue groups on Q2, age of the respondent. ..……………….… 43
3. Comparison of rescue groups on Q3, marital status of the respondent. …….….. 44
4. Comparison of rescue groups on Q4, race/ethnicity of the respondent. …….…. 45
5. Regions of the US. The State in which the rescue dog adopters lived was
associated with one of the five regions of the United States. ………..……….… 46

6. Comparison of rescue groups on Q5, respondent’s region of residence. ……..... 47
7. Comparison of rescue groups on Q6, youngest age of adopter’s child. ………... 48
8. Comparison of rescue groups on Q7, the adopter’s highest level of education. .. 49
9. Comparison of rescue groups on Q8, adopter’s income level. ...…………….…. 50
10. Comparison of rescue groups on Q9, adopter’s employment. ………..……....... 52
11. Comparison of rescue groups on Q9, adopters’ spouse/partners’
employment. ………………………………………….….………………….….. 53

12. Comparison of rescue groups on Q11, adopter’s place of residence. ….….…... 54
13. Comparison of rescue groups on Q13, whether the rescue dog adopter grew-up
with a dog in their household. ………………………………………….…...….. 58

14. Comparison of rescue groups on Q12, resources rescue adopters used for
information about rescue dog adoption. ….…………….……………..….…….. 60

15. Comparison of rescue groups on Q14, the person most instrumental in
influencing the rescue dog adoption. …..……………………………………….. 61

16. Comparison of rescue groups on Q15, how adopters felt their dog’s adoption
was influenced by the desire to adopt a purebred dog. …….….……..…………. 63

17. Comparison of rescue groups on Q16, how adopters felt their dog’s adoption
was influenced by helping to save a life. …………………….…..….……..….... 64

18. Comparison of rescue groups on Q17, how adopters felt their dog’s adoption 66
was influenced by the opportunity to meet and interact with new people. ……..

19. Comparison of rescue groups on Q18, how adopters felt their dog’s adoption
was influenced by their desire for companionship. .….……………………....… 68