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Free to good home?
A new study analyzes the impact of free adoptions in a shelter on the number of cats adopted, the type of people who adopted, and the care and retention of those cats.
The shelter waived all adoption fees for adult cats because it was full.
The study noted that, “Waiving adoption fees is the most controversial option, because of concerns that people attracted to low-cost or free adoptions may be less responsible owners who subsequently neglect or rehome cats, or use them for nefarious purposes.”
It found what all of us hoped it would find:
1. Adoptions did go up (reducing killing);
2. The type of cat adopted did not change;
3. The type of person doing the adoption did NOT change (with two positive and crucial differences); and most importantly,
4. Attachment to and quality of their care of the cat did NOT change.
As to No. 3 above, while the kind of person who adopted when the cats were free were demographically similar to those who paid the normal adoption fee, which should give people comfort, there were two (good) differences. First, many were first time adopters from a shelter (though not necessarily first time cat families). Second, they were drawn to the shelter by media promotion of the event. They heard in the media that the shelter was jammed, was trying to avoid killing, and was promoting cats for adoption.
This is incredibly good news.
In other words, they were motivated to help and they can now be counted on saving the lives of other cats in the future. Welcome to the family.
Most importantly, there was no difference between fee-paid and fee-waived adoptions in terms of rates of the cat wearing a collar, staying in the home post-adoption (retention), or receiving veterinary care.
In other words, they kept the cat, took care of the cat, and loved the cat.
The study concluded that fee-waived adoptions are good for cats (“Preventing euthanasia of healthy adult cats is an obvious, immediate positive outcome of reducing crowding by offering occasional free adult cat adoption-drives”), good for adopters, and good for shelters and shelter workers.
A win-win.
The study adds to a growing body of literature that reached similar conclusions.
From the Cornell Feline Health Center: "A study in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science examined the attachment of adopters to their cats in relation to payment or fee waiver for adoption… Statistical analysis of the result showed no significant difference in the two groups 'attachment' to their adopted cat.
The authors conclude 'implementing a free adult cat adoption program in shelters around the country could dramatically affect the lives of thousands of shelter cats who otherwise either would reside in the shelter for months awaiting adoption or be euthanized.
The ultimate goal of shelters is to adopt their animals into loving homes with families who are committed to the success of their pet. The free adult cat adoption program may accomplish these goals, and shelters can feel confident in implementing the program.'" See also nathanwinograd.com/?p=6359 and nathanwinograd.com/?p=11272
The study, “Using Free Adoptions to Reduce Crowding and Euthanasia at Cat Shelters: An Australian Case Study,” is here: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/7/12/92
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