Impact of euthanasia rates, euthanasia practices, and human resource practices on employee turnover in animal shelters.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of euthanasia rates, euthanasia practices, and human resource practices on the turnover rate among employees with euthanasia responsibilities at animal shelters.


METHODS
Cross-sectional original study.


METHODS
36 shelters across the United States that employed at least 5 full-time employees and performed euthanasia on site.


METHODS
By mail, 1 survey was sent to each shelter. Surveys were completed by a senior member of management and were returned by mail. Questions assessed characteristics (eg, euthanasia rates) and practices of the animal shelter, along with employee turnover rates. By use of correlation coefficients and stepwise regression analyses, key predictors of turnover rates among employees with euthanasia responsibilities were investigated.


RESULTS
Employee turnover rates were positively related to euthanasia rate. Practices that were associated with decreased turnover rates included provision of a designated euthanasia room, exclusion of other live animals from vicinity during euthanasia, and removal of euthanized animals from a room prior to entry of another animal to be euthanized. Making decisions regarding euthanasia of animals on the basis of factors other than behavior and health reasons was related to increased personnel turnover. With regard to human resources practices, shelters that used a systematic personnel selection procedure (eg, standardized testing) had comparatively lower employee turnover.


CONCLUSIONS
Data obtained may suggest several specific avenues that can be pursued to mitigate turnover among employees with euthanasia responsibilities at animal shelters and animal control or veterinary medical organizations.
Rogelberg
Steven G
SG
Department of Psychology and Organizational Science, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
Reeve
Charlie L
CL
Spitzmüller
Christiane
C
DiGiacomo
Natalie
N
Clark
Olga L
OL
Teeter
Lisa
L
Walker
Alan G
AG
Starling
Paula G
PG
Carter
Nathan T
NT
D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004285:Dogs; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010067:Ownership; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011155:Population Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce