Oral Presentation The International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ): 27th Annual Conference 2018

The expectations of prospective adopters for dog ownership. (#44)

Lauren Powell 1 , Debbie Chia 1 , Paul McGreevy 2 , Anthony L Podberscek 3 , Kate M Edwards 4 , Brendon Neilly 5 , Adam J Guastella 6 , Vanessa Lee 1 , Emmanuel Stamatakis 1
  1. Charles Perkins Centre, Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  6. Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Introduction: Dog ownership is highly prevalent worldwide, with many human-dog dyads forming successful attachment bonds. However, millions of dogs are surrendered to animal shelters annually, possibly due to mismatches between owner expectations and the realities of dog ownership. The current study explored the benefits and challenges people expect from dog ownership and how these expectations vary with previous ownership history.

Methodology: An Australian-wide convenience sample of 3465 prospective adopters completed a self-administered online questionnaire about the physical, mental and psychosocial health benefits and challenges associated with dog ownership. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine associations between dog ownership status and the most common expected benefits and challenges.

Main Results: Among the potential benefits, respondents expected increased walking (89%), happiness (89%) and companionship (61%) and decreased stress (74%) and loneliness (61%). Among the challenges, they expected increased responsibility (64%) and the need for dog training (62%). Ownership history influenced respondents’ expectations, with current/previous dog owners having consistently greater odds of expecting physical, mental and psychosocial health benefits than non-owners, including reduced blood pressure (OR current owners 1.62; 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.25; OR previous owners 1.37; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.89), increased happiness (OR current owners 2.12; 95% CI: 1.36-3.29; OR previous owners 1.67; 95% CI: 1.10-2.55) and getting to know the neighbourhood (OR current owners 1.41; 95% CI: 1.03-1.94; OR previous owners 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02-1.91). Current/previous dog owners also displayed reduced odds of expecting challenges than non-owners, such as increased responsibility (OR current owners 0.42; 95% CI: 0.29-0.60; OR previous owners 0.68; 95% CI: 0.48-0.98) and dog training (OR current owners 0.51; 95% CI: 0.36-0.73; OR previous owners 0.63; 95% CI: 0.45-0.89). A possible explanation is that previous/current dog owners’ exhibit bias when considering dog ownership by selectively recalling positive experiences from previous ownership.

Principal Conclusions and Implications for Field: Our findings highlight the need for education of prospective dog owners to ensure their expectations align with the realities of ownership, based on current evidence.