title: No Dog Left Behind: A Hedonic Pricing Model for Animal Shelters.
abstract: Companion animal overpopulation is a growing problem in the United States. In addition to strays, an average of 324,500 nonhuman animals are relinquished to shelters yearly by their caregivers due to family disruption (divorce, death), foreclosure, economic problems, or minor behavioral issues. As a result, estimates of animals in shelters range from 3 million to 8 million, and due to overcrowding, euthanasia is common. This analysis seeks to determine the appropriate pricing mechanisms to clear animal shelters of dogs in the manner most desirable-that is, through adoption. Based on a survey of Michigan residents, it is clear there are a number of correlations between the traits of dogs and the individuals who care for them. Hedonic pricing models indicate that animal shelters need to proactively vary their pricing systems to discount particular traits, specifically for mixed-breed, older, and black dogs. Premiums can be charged for puppies, purebred dogs, and those who have received specific services such as microchipping.
authors.affiliation: a Global Urban Studies, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.|b Political Science, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.affiliation: c Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.|d Economics, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skidmore
authors.affiliation: a Global Urban Studies, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.|c Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dyar
authors.affiliation: a Global Urban Studies, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.|b Political Science, Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosebrook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000823:Animal Identification Systems / Q000191:economics; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000191:economics*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D010067:Ownership / Q000191:economics; D057805:Pets / Q000191:economics*; D012044:Regression Analysis
keywords: Shelter animal pricing; companion animal traits; hedonic pricing