The influence of kennel size on the dogs' chronic stress in animal shelter

Abstract

Due to people’s constantly growing empathy towards homeless animals, taking care of their well-being has become important. To assess the level of well-being, scientists, in addition to observing behaviour, measure the intensity of the stress reaction. The analysis of animal stress includes the body’s reactions to stressors, the differences between short-term and long-term stress, and the impact of stress on animal health and behaviour [1]. Cortisol has been identified as a major indicator of stress, the level of which can be measured in many biological materials [2]. Testing the cortisol level in hair has become a popular method for assessing animal stress due to the ease and non-invasiveness of collecting the material [3]. The work is based on a study of cortisol levels in dogs from one animal shelter in Poland, where dog kennels have been enlarged in line with new veterinary requirements. In the shelter, dogs spend most of their time in a limited space, negatively affecting their physical and mental condition [4]. That is why it is so important to ensure appropriate living conditions, including selecting an appropriate space that ensures comfort [5]. The study involved 16 dogs, including 11 males and 5 females, who had stayed in the shelter for at least 7 months and lived constantly in the same kennels. Hair samples were taken twice from the same place right next to the animal’s skin. The first samples were taken from dogs in old, smaller kennels just before moving to new, larger ones. The second one was 6 weeks after being moved to new kennels. The goal was to understand the effect of the kennel size on the cortisol levels of shelter dogs. The results showed an increase in cortisol levels in the dogs’ fur as an indicator of the intensity of chronic stress. It can be stated that changing the place is stressful for animals and requires adaptation. Results can help to understand the welfare of dogs in animal shelters.