Comparisons of shelter and foster housed companion animals in the MidwestComparisons of shelter and foster housed companion animals in the MidwestShoshana Tanenbaum, Rachel Berkley, Claudia J Baldwin, DVM, MS; Richard B. Evans, PhD; Julie Ann C. Jarvinen, DVM, PhD Shoshana Tanenbaum, Rachel Berkley, Claudia J Baldwin, DVM, MS; Richard B. Evans, PhD; Julie Ann C. Jarvinen, DVM, PhD

College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University

Family PetsFamily Pets

UR and GI 24 Cats % 12 Dogs %

Sneezing 8 28.6 0 0.0

Coughing 2 8.0 1 3.6

Wheezing 2 8.0 0 0.0

Runny nose 7 28.0 0 0.0

Runny eyes 5 20.0 0 0.0

Fever 1 4.0 0 0.0

Anorexia/weight loss 1 4.0 1 3.6

Lethargy 1 4.0 0 0.0

Vomiting 3 12.0 0 0.0

Diarrhea 2 8.0 0 0.0

Signs, but don't remember 0 0.0 0 0.0

Do not remember 1 4.0 0 0.0

No signs 15 60.0 11 39.3

Total Affected 9 36 1 3.6

Foster pets        

  Adult   Litter  

UR n = 12   n = 37  

Sneezing 3 25.0 15 40.5

Coughing 2 16.7 2 5.4

Wheezing 1 8.3 4 10.8

Runny nose 2 16.7 9 24.3

Runny Eyes 3 25.0 12 32.4

Fever 0 0.0 1 2.7

Anorexia 2 16.7 4 10.8

Lethargy 2 16.7 6 16.2

Signs, but don't remember 0 0.0 0 0.0

Do notremember 0 0.0 0 0.0

No UR signs 8 66.7 21 56.8

Total Affected 4 33.3 16 43.2

GI        

Vomiting 1 8.3 3 8.1

Diarrhea 4 33.3 9 24.3

Anorexia/weight loss 2 16.7 6 16.2

Lethargy 2 16.7 8 21.6

Signs, but don't remember 0 0.0 0 0.0

Do not remember 0 0.0 0 0.0

No GI signs 7 58.3 24 64.9

Total Affected 5 41.7 13 35.1

AbstractRegrettably, while 8-10 million companion animals in the United States enter animal shelters each year, only half of those animals will be successfully adopted. The remainder, 4-5 million dogs and cats, are euthanized each year.1 A major reason for this disparity in adoption rates is the lack of housing in which to place the vast array of un-owned dogs and cats. Additionally, unhealthy animals are less likely to be adopted than healthy animals and it has been reported that approximately thirty-nine percent of animals adopted from shelters typically show signs of infectious disease within two weeks post adoption.2 To date, no studies are available providing data on animals in foster care. Thus, this project is a landmark study in evaluating disease incidence and comparing the health of animals housed in animal shelters and foster homes. Twenty-two fostering shelters, nineteen non-fostering shelters and forty-nine foster families in Iowa were surveyed, including three in Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois. Microscopic evaluation of feces was conducted to determine the incidence of parasitism. Based on survey responses, the percentage of foster animals demonstrating clinical signs of upper respiratory (UR) and gastrointestinal (GI) disease was calculated. Additional information collected from the surveys included fostering history, family pets, shelter instruction to the foster family, vaccination protocols, veterinary care, vaccination and deworming history. There was no significant overall difference in parasitic rate between shelter and foster animals. The majority of family and foster animals showed no clinical signs during the study period, however cats were more commonly affected than dogs. Further analysis of results is pending.

Preliminary Results• 9/22 (41%), 7/18 (29%) and 28/49 (57%) of fostering shelter, non-

fostering and foster family surveys have been returned, respectively. One shelter declined to participate after receiving the survey. The 49 families came from 12 shelters. 12 fostered animals (over eight weeks of age) were housed in 10 homes. 37 litters under eight weeks of age were housed in 26 homes. All but one shelter were utilizing a maximum of 5 foster families. The exception utilized approximately 50 families. Visits were made to 13 fostering and 6 non-fostering shelters (See Figures 1&2).

• Parasitic Evaluation: A total of 355 fecal samples were collected. 13 fostering shelters and 6 non-fostering shelters supplied 278 samples from shelter animals. 77 samples were collected from foster animals. The proportion of animals with parasites in foster homes was not statistically significantly different from shelter animals (p>0.05). There were high numbers of positive tests for roundworms, coccidia and hookworm in the foster population as compared to the shelter population. Further statistical analysis is pending.

• Clinical signs in family and foster pets: Table 1 depicts the clinical signs seen in family pets within 4 weeks of beginning foster care. Table 2 lists reported clinical signs in foster animals seen within 2 weeks of foster care initiation. Both tables summarize the number of animals reported to show signs in the row “Total Affected.” Family cats were reported to have a higher percentage of clinical signs of disease (36%) after the initiation of foster care than did family dogs (3.6%)

• Clinical signs in shelter animals: Results from shelters regarding clinical signs in shelter and foster animals could not be reported because many shelters either excluded that information or supplied it to us in a form that we could not use for comparison.

• Family Pet Information: Out of 77 cats and 41 dogs, all but 2 cats and 2 dogs were altered. 86% of cats were housed exclusively indoors, while 71% of dogs were housed indoor/outdoor. The remaining dogs were housed exclusively indoors (29%) and exclusively outdoor (5%).

• Veterinary Care: Approximately 50% of foster animals were taken to the veterinarian upon observation of UR and GI disorders.

• Satisfaction from Fostering: 100% of respondents reported they would foster again. 82% said they felt fostering was a rewarding experience all the time. 18% reported a rewarding experience most of the time.

Statement of Problem• Providing an environment that helps maintain health and prevents

exposure to the vast array of potential infectious diseases is a considerable challenge that shelters face in successfully placing animals.

• As many as 40% of shelter animals may be infected with gastrointestinal parasites which pose a health risk to humans,3 and could create gastrointestinal signs.

• Very little information about animals in foster care is known.

Supported by The Maddie’s Fund, The Pet Rescue FoundationVeterinary Summer Scholar Research Program, The College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University

Specific Aims1. Estimate the incidence of upper respiratory and gastrointestinal signs in

companion animals housed in shelter and foster environments in the Midwest.

2. Estimate the incidence of intestinal parasitism in companion animals housed in shelter and foster environments in the Midwest.

3. Gain knowledge of shelter protocols and practices and foster family home environments.

Table 2: Clinical signs in foster dogs and cats after initiation of foster care, as reported from foster families

Table 1: Reported clinical signs in family dogs and cats after initiation of foster care, as reported from foster families

MethodsSurvey MethodologySurveys were mailed to twenty-three fostering shelters, nineteen non-fostering shelters (see Figures 1 and 2) and forty-nine foster families. The interval of interest was two weeks and four weeks post initiation of fostering for foster pets and family pets, respectively. Stool Sample Collection and AnalysisShelters provided randomly selected fecal samples. Individual foster homes supplied one sample per foster pet or litter, as logistics allowed. Parasitic evaluation was performed within 72 hours of collection. Evidence of roundworms, hookworms, coccidia, whipworms, lungworms, tapeworms and Giardia was recorded. The degree of parasitism was compared between all shelter and foster animals using z test for proportions..

HypothesisAnimals placed in foster homes are healthier than those housed in shelters.

Figure 2: Non-fostering shelters surveyedFigure 1: Fostering shelters surveyed

ConclusionsThere was statistically no difference in overall parasite load in foster and shelter samples, but further analysis of individual parasites is pending. Overall, the majority of family and foster animals showed no clinical signs during the study periods, however cats were more commonly affected. Additionally, many shelters returned incomplete surveys which may be due to incomplete record keeping or faulty instrument (survey) use. It appears that it would be advantageous to assist the shelters in establishing a quality documentation system.This study was conducted during the season that is busiest for shelters in order to maximize the number of animals included in the study. This may have contributed to our difficulty in obtaining and analyzing fecal samples from all willing shelters and foster homes. The high percentage of altered family pets reflects responsible foster families. It was rewarding to expand and share our knowledge of Midwestern shelters and their characteristics. We greatly appreciate the assistance of all participating shelters and foster homes.

References1. www.hsus.org. March 27, 2003.2. Neidhart, L., Boyd, R. (2002). Companion animal adoption study. Journal of Applied Animal

Welfare Science, 5(3), 175-192. 3. Spain, C.V., Scarlett, J.M., Wade, S.E., McDonough, P. (2001). Prevalence of enteric

zoonotic agents in cats less than 1 year old in central New York State. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 15(1), 33-8.