Virginia Tech researchers, working with Arizona State University and two animal shelters, tracked 84 shelter dogs across a 17-day period: five days in the shelter, seven days in a foster home, and five days back in the shelter. The team collected over 1,300 urine samples to measure cortisol, a hormone linked to stress, and used collar-mounted activity monitors to record rest and movement.
During the week in a foster home, cortisol levels fell significantly and dogs spent more time resting. After returning to the shelter, their cortisol levels were not higher than before the foster stay. The study also found that dogs reunited with a familiar kennelmate rested more and had less high activity than dogs housed alone or with a new companion.
The authors say foster stays and cohousing familiar dogs are practical, low-cost strategies that shelters can use to help dogs and increase adoption chances.
Difficult words
- cortisol — a hormone produced when the body is stressed
- foster home — a temporary home for animals from shelters
- reunite — to bring together again after a separationreunited
- kennelmate — another animal kept in the same kennel
- cohousing — housing animals together in the same space
- adoption — the process of taking an animal into a home
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think short foster stays could help more dogs get adopted? Why or why not?
- What are the possible benefits and problems of keeping familiar kennelmates together in a shelter?
- If you worked at a shelter with little money, which strategy from the study would you try first and why?
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