Sandra D. Cardoso , Ceres B. Faraco , Gonçalo D.G. Pereira , Harry Eckman
{"title":"A survey of acquisition and animal-related factors leading to microchipping and neutering of dogs and cats in Portugal","authors":"Sandra D. Cardoso , Ceres B. Faraco , Gonçalo D.G. Pereira , Harry Eckman","doi":"10.1016/j.jveb.2023.06.005","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Microchipping and neutering are useful tools for animal control and are mandatory in some countries. In Portugal, microchipping for dogs became mandatory in 2008 and for cats in 2022. However, despite being mandatory, it is frequently disregarded. By contrast, neutering, which is not mandatory, is perceived as expensive. Little is understood about the reasoning related to microchipping or neutering decisions. The authors used an online questionnaire to investigate the characteristics of dogs and cats, as well as acquisition factors, that might contribute to microchipping and neutering decision-making. The analysis is based on 1047 valid responses obtained from companion animal guardians living in Portugal, using the non-parametric Chi-Square test. The authors found that male cats were more frequently neutered (74%) than male dogs (35%) and that fewer cats were microchipped (12%) compared to dogs (77%). It was also found that companion animals acquired from municipal shelters or from animal protection associations had a higher probability of being neutered and microchipped than companion animals collected from the street. Municipal shelter and animal protection association staff generally inform guardians, during the adoption process, about the benefits of neutering and the obligation of microchipping dogs. It is important that information regarding responsible guardianship, including the need for neutering and microchipping, is also provided when companion animals are acquired in other places, such as when they are acquired from the street. A national campaign to create awareness about, and increase the level of, neutering and microchipping for both species is recommended, even when the animals are indoor-only pets.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":17567,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787823000710","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Microchipping and neutering are useful tools for animal control and are mandatory in some countries. In Portugal, microchipping for dogs became mandatory in 2008 and for cats in 2022. However, despite being mandatory, it is frequently disregarded. By contrast, neutering, which is not mandatory, is perceived as expensive. Little is understood about the reasoning related to microchipping or neutering decisions. The authors used an online questionnaire to investigate the characteristics of dogs and cats, as well as acquisition factors, that might contribute to microchipping and neutering decision-making. The analysis is based on 1047 valid responses obtained from companion animal guardians living in Portugal, using the non-parametric Chi-Square test. The authors found that male cats were more frequently neutered (74%) than male dogs (35%) and that fewer cats were microchipped (12%) compared to dogs (77%). It was also found that companion animals acquired from municipal shelters or from animal protection associations had a higher probability of being neutered and microchipped than companion animals collected from the street. Municipal shelter and animal protection association staff generally inform guardians, during the adoption process, about the benefits of neutering and the obligation of microchipping dogs. It is important that information regarding responsible guardianship, including the need for neutering and microchipping, is also provided when companion animals are acquired in other places, such as when they are acquired from the street. A national campaign to create awareness about, and increase the level of, neutering and microchipping for both species is recommended, even when the animals are indoor-only pets.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research is an international journal that focuses on all aspects of veterinary behavioral medicine, with a particular emphasis on clinical applications and research. Articles cover such topics as basic research involving normal signaling or social behaviors, welfare and/or housing issues, molecular or quantitative genetics, and applied behavioral issues (eg, working dogs) that may have implications for clinical interest or assessment.
JVEB is the official journal of the Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group, the British Veterinary Behaviour Association, Gesellschaft fr Tierverhaltensmedizin und Therapie, the International Working Dog Breeding Association, the Pet Professional Guild, the Association Veterinaire Suisse pour la Medecine Comportementale, and The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.