For
Immediate Contact:
Katie
Timmerman
PH: (662)
325-0465
KTimmerman@cvm.msstate.edu
Starkville, MS (May 3, 2018) –
Mississippi State University (MSU) and its College of Veterinary Medicine
announced today that it is conducting a first-of-its-kind survey of dog
shelters in five states across the country.
The survey, which is funded by the Stanton Foundation, will provide
valuable information about dog populations in shelters in key geographic
regions across the country. The goal of
the survey, which will be one of the most comprehensive shelter surveys in U.S.
history, is to gather detailed information on the number and physical characteristics
of dogs entering shelters and what happens to them.
“The
lack of reliable data makes it difficult to most effectively serve and help
dogs in need. This survey will ultimately enable organizations that seek to
promote canine welfare to help the greatest number of dogs,” said Dr. Kent H.
Hoblet, Dean of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “The information will be
beneficial to shelter operators, policymakers and ultimately dog owners across
the nation because it will provide vital insights into patterns and behaviors
regarding dog ownership, adoption, transfers, outcomes and resource
distribution.”
The team
conducting the survey will be reaching out to more than 400 shelters in five
states – Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado and Oklahoma – that they
have identified as eligible to participate. The five states were chosen because
they each have a registry of shelters and provide a diverse geographical
representation of the U.S. The college
is offering an honorarium of $100 to each participating shelter.
MSU’s
College of Veterinary Medicine will build on previous work measuring and
assessing dog shelters. For this current study, MSU’s team of researchers and
students will visit shelters in person to gather data, which will help ensure
the quality of data is strong. The individual
data gathered will be kept confidential.
Additionally, the researchers are interested in hearing feedback from
stakeholders and others about this initiative.
“People in
all regions of the country care very much about canine welfare, and we believe
that this study will help dog owners, elected and appointed officials, and
shelter operators make informed decisions,” said Dean Hoblet. “We appreciate the shelters that are partnering
with us to help us acquire this data and are looking forward to working with them.”
