Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff

A comprehensive resource to understand the behavioral considerations for intake, management, and rehoming of dogs and cats

Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff provides readers with comprehensive information addressing the behavior of both animals and humans associated with the intake, management, and rehoming of dogs and cats. To aid in practical application, the book covers specific behavior considerations in both dogs and cats. Topics are separated by animal to allow for easy accessibility by professionals who are actively working in the field.

Sample topics covered within the book include:

• The behavior issues that are a common cause of pet relinquishment
• Behavioral assessment, behavior modification, the integration of behavioral well-being into sheltering
• Welfare assessment, psychopharmacology, safety net programs, and caring for animals during long-term legal holds
• Equine care and caring for small mammals

Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff is a must-have reference for evidence-based practical tips, techniques, and protocols for everyday use in animal shelters by shelter volunteers and staff, as well as professional trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians working with shelters.

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine & Feline Practice, Shelter Medicine Practice) is Senior Director of Shelter Medicine for the ASPCA and is based in Gainesville, FL, USA.

Victoria Cussen, PhD, CAAB is Senior Director of Applied Behavior Research for the ASPCA’s Behavioral Sciences Team and is based in Seattle, WA, USA.

Pamela Reid, PhD, CAAB is Vice President of the ASPCA’s Behavioral Sciences Team and is based in Hendersonville, NC, USA.

Kristen Collins, MS, ACAAB is Vice President of Rehabilitation Services at the ASPCA and is based in Mars Hill, NC, USA.

List of Contributors viii

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xii

About the Companion Website xiii

Part I Foundations in Behavioral Health

 Introduction 3

1 Introduction to Dog Behavior 5
Julie Hecht and Alexandra Horowitz

2 Introduction to Cat Behavior 30
Julia D. Albright, Christine Calder, and Amy Learn

3 How Animals Learn 53
Haleh Amanieh and Nicole R. Dorey

4 The Relationship between Physiology and Behavior in Dogs and Cats 67
Valarie V. Tynes, Colleen S. Koch, and Leslie Sinn

Part II Pets in the Community

5 Safety Net Programs 113
Erin Doyle and Seana Dowling-Guyer

6 Dog Behavior and Relinquishment to Shelters 133
Janis Bradley and Gary J. Patronek

7 Management of Community Cats 153
Margaret R. Slater

Part III Dogs in the Shelter

8 Handling Shelter Dogs 179
Trish McMillan and Kristina Spaulding

9 Assessing the Behavior of Shelter Dogs 205
Pamela J. Reid

10 Canine Housing and Husbandry for Behavioral Well-Being 236
Stephanie Janeczko, Lila Miller, and Stephen Zawistowski

11 Canine Enrichment 263
Lisa Gunter and Erica Feuerbacher

12 Training and Behavior Modification for Shelter Dogs 288
Pamela J. Reid and Tristan Rehner-Fleurant

13 Play and Playgroups 317
Lindsay R. Mehrkam

Part IV Cats in the Shelter

14 Handling Shelter Cats 351
Brenda Griffin

15 Feline Behavioral Assessment 384
Jacklyn J. Ellis

16 Feline Housing for Behavioral Well-Being 404
Chumkee Aziz

17 Feline Enrichment 423
Jacklyn J. Ellis, Katherine Miller, and Katie Watts

18 Training and Behavior Modification for Shelter Cats 445
Wailani Sung and Jeannine Berger

Part V Special Topics

19 Welfare and Ethical Decision-Making 479
Victoria A. Cussen and Brian A. DiGangi

20 Behavioral Care during Transportation and Relocation 504
Brian A. DiGangi and Karen S. Walsh

21 Behavioral Care of Animals in Disasters, Cruelty Cases, and Long-Term Holds 534
Victoria A. Cussen, Bridget Schoville, and Pamela J. Reid

22 Behavioral Pharmacology 564
Sara L. Bennett

23 Caring for Small Mammals 599
Elise Gingrich

24 Equine Care 613
Sue McDonnell

25 Animal Placement and Follow-Up 634
Alexandra Protopopova and Kelley Bollen

Appendix A Canine Body Language 659

Appendix B Feline Body Language 664

Appendix C Animal Behavior Professionals 669

Index 672

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.