A Study on the Association between Number of Impounded Days and Adoption Rate of Stray Dogs at Public Animal Shelters in Changhua County, Taiwan

Abstract

According to the adoption records of the animal shelter in Changhua county from 2004 to 2010, this study investigated if there was a statistically advantageous length of shelter stay, from the time when dogs impounded until their adoption. The adoption records during this period of time showed that a total of 1,533 dogs were adopted. The number of days for dogs to be impounded was divided into different categories and the adoption rate (number of dogs in each category divided by the total number of dogs being adopted) was calculated. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the association between the number of days of impoundment and the adoption rate. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to perform the analyses, in which the numbers of impoundment days were divided into three categories: 0-6 days, 7-13 days, and over 13 days. The association between these three categories and the adoption rate was tested. The results of the test showed that the adoption rate of dogs impounded for 7-13 days was significantly higher than those impounded for other lengths of time. It was concluded that the adoption rate of dogs being impounded for 7-13 days was the highest.