title: RandAgiamo™, a Pilot Project Increasing Adoptability of Shelter Dogs in the Umbria Region (Italy).
abstract: Current Italian legislation does not permit euthanasia of dogs, unless they are ill or dangerous. Despite good intentions and ethical benefits, this 'no-kill policy' has caused a progressive overpopulation of dogs in shelters, due to abandonment rates being higher than adoption rates. Shelter overcrowding has negative implications for dog welfare and increases public costs. The aim of this paper is to describe the pilot project "RandAgiamo" implemented in a rescue shelter in the Umbria Region and to evaluate its effectiveness on the rate of dog adoption using official data. RandAgiamo aimed to increase adult shelter dogs' adoptability by a standard training and socialization programme. It also promoted dogs' visibility by publicizing them through social media and participation in events. We analysed the official data of the Umbria regional health authorities regarding dog shelters of the Perugia province of the year 2014. In the RandAgiamo shelter, the dog adoption rate was 27.5% higher than that of dogs housed in other shelters located in the same geographical area (P < 0.001). The RandAgiamo project could be beneficial for the dogs' welfare, owner satisfaction, shelter management, and public perception of shelter dogs. However, staff were required to provide dog training and related activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Perugia University, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy. lallymen@libero.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Menchetti
authors.affiliation: Public Veterinary Services for Urban Hygiene and Prevention of Stray Dogs, USL Umbria 1, Municipal Rescue Dog Shelter, Strada per Brufa snc, 06148 Collestrada (Perugia), Italy. stefania.mancini@uslumbria1.it.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Consultant, 06100 Perugia, Italy. mchiaracatalani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Catalani
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Consultant, 06100 Perugia, Italy. beabocc@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boccini
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ethology and Animal Welfare (LEBA), Department of Veterinary Medicine, Perugia University, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy. silvana.diverio@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diverio
keywords: RandAgiamo project; adoption rate; human-dog interaction; no-kill policy; shelter dogs; training