The Impact of Companion Animal Problems on Society and the Role of Veterinarians

Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice

Volumn 39, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 327-345

  Voith, Victoria L ^a  

^a WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES   (United States)

Author keywords

Animals; Behavior problems; Companion animals; Society

Indexed keywords

AGGRESSION; AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL BEHAVIOR; ANIMAL CARE; ANIMAL WELLBEING; COMMUNITY LIVING; DOG BITE; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR; FAMILY STRESS; FECES; HOUSEHOLD; HUMAN; MEDICAL SPECIALIST; NOISE POLLUTION; NONHUMAN; PATIENT REFERRAL; PET ANIMAL; PHYSICIAN ATTITUDE; PRACTICE GUIDELINE; PUBLIC HEALTH; REVIEW; SOCIAL PROBLEM; VETERINARY MEDICINE;

AGGRESSION; ANIMAL WELFARE; ANIMALS; ANIMALS, DOMESTIC; BEHAVIOR, ANIMAL; BITES AND STINGS; EUTHANASIA, ANIMAL; HUMANS; PROFESSIONAL ROLE; REFERRAL AND CONSULTATION; VETERINARIANS;

ANIMALIA; CANIS FAMILIARIS; FELIS CATUS;

EID: 58649103123     PISSN: 01955616     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2008.10.014     Document Type: Review

References (128)

1. Anderson R.A. Pet animals and society (1975), Bailliere Tindall, London
2. Katcher A.H., and Beck A.M. New perspectives on our lives with companion animals (1983), University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia
3. Beck A., and Katcher A. Between pets and people (1996), Pudue University Press, Purdue
4. Becker M. The healing powers of pets (2002), Hyperion, New York
5. Wells D.L. Domestic dogs and human health: an overview. Br J Health Psychol 12 1 (2007) 145-156
6. Murray RW. Urban animal problems. Animal behaviour: the TG Hungerford refresher course for veterinarians Proceedings (214). July 5-9, 1993
7. Voith V.L. Clinical animal behavior. California Veterinarian 28 (1979) 21-25
8. Borchelt P.L., and Voith V.L. Aggressive behavior in dogs and cats. Compend Contin Educ 7 11 (1985) 949-960
9. Bamberger M., and Houpt K.A. Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in dogs; 1,644 cases (1991-2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc 229 10 (2006) 1591-1601
10. Knol B.K. [Behavior problems in dogs. An inventory of the problems based on a survey conducted among Dutch veterinarians]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 107 17 (1982) 623-632 [in Dutch]
11. Blackshaw J.K. Abnormal behaviour in dogs. Aust Vet J 65 (1988) 393-395
12. Takeuchi Y., and Mori Y.A. Comparison of the behavioral profiles of purebred dogs in Japan to profiles of those in the United States and the United Kingdom. J Vet Med Sci 68 8 (2006) 789-796
13. Shepherd A.J. Results of the 2006 AVMA survey of companion animal ownership in US pet-owning households. JAVMA 232 (2008) 695-696
14. Westgarth C., Pinchbeck G.L., Bradshaw J.W., et al. Dog-human and dog-dog interactions of 260 dog-owning households in a community in Cheshire. Vet Rec 162 14 (2008) 436-442
15. Voith V.L. Attachment of people to companion animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1 2 (1985) 289-295
16. Voith V.L., Wright J.C., and Danneman P.J. Is there a relationship between canine behavior problems and spoiling activities, anthropomorphism and obedience training?. Appl Anim Behav Sci 34 (1992) 263-272
17. Voith V.L. Profile of 100 animal behavior cases. Mod Vet Pract 62 6 (1981) 483-484
18. Tuber D., Hothersall D., and Voith V.L. Animal clinical psychology: a modest proposal. Am Psychol 29 (1994) 762-766
19. Voith V. Attachment between people and their pets: behavior problems of pets that arise from the relationship between pets and people. In: Fogle B. (Ed). Interrelations between people and pets (1981), Charles C Thomas, Springfield (IL) 271-294
20. The American College of Veterinary Animal Behaviorists. Available at:. www.veterinarybehavorists.org Accessed July 26, 2008
21. The Animal Behavior Society (ABS). Available at:. www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior Accessed December 9, 2008
22. Hetts S., Heinke M.L., and Estep D.Q. Behavior wellness concepts for general veterinary practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 225 (2004) 506-513
23. Voith V.L. Hospital policies for managing behavioral problems. California Veterinarian 61 3 (2007)
24. Patronek G.J., and Dodman N.H. Attitudes, procedures, and delivery of behavior services by veterinarians in small animal practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 215 (1999) 1606-1611
25. New J. Proactive behavior intervention strategies for the new puppy owner. Presented at the 145th Annual AVMA Meeting. New Orleans, July 18, 2008.
26. Bergman L., Hart B.L., Bain M., et al. Evaluation of urine marking by cats as a model for understanding veterinary diagnostic and treatment approaches and client attitudes. J Am Vet Med Assoc 221 (2002) 1282-1286
27. Miller R.M. Our profession's behavior problem. Vet Med (2008) 342
28. Hetts S. Pet behavior protocols: what to say, what to do, when to refer (1999), AAHA Press, Lakewood (CO)
29. Lindsay S.R. Handbook of applied dog behavior and training. Vol. 3: procedures and protocols (2005), Blackwell Publishing, Ames (IA)
30. Landsberg G., Hunthausen W., and Ackerman L. Handbook of behavior problems of the dog and cat. 2nd edition (2003), Elsevier Saunders, Edinburgh (UK)
31. Hart B.L., Hart L.A., and Bain M.J. Canine and feline behavior therapy. 2nd edition (2006), Blackwell Publishing, Ames (IA)
32. Horwitz D.F., and Neilson J.C. Blackwell's five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior (2007), Willey-Blackwell, Ames (IA)
33. Hetts S. Choosing a dog trainer or behavior consultant. CVMA Voice 2 (2006) 26
34. AVSAB behavior professionals position statement. Available at:. www.avsabonline.org Accessed on June 25, 2008
35. Sherman B. Animal behaviorists: who's who?. Available at:. www.animalbehaviorservice.com Accessed on July 8, 2008
36. Hetts S. What veterinarians need to know when identifying behavior referral sources. CVMA Voice 2 (2006) 18-26
37. Psychology Licensing Law. Chapter 6.6 in the Business and Professions Code, the State of California. p. 20-5. Available at:. www.psychboard.ca.gov/lawsregs/2008lawsregs.pdf Accessed on July 25, 2008
38. The American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Available at:. www.arpas.org Accessed July 26, 2008
39. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Available at:. www.ccpdt.org Accessed July 26, 2008
40. The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. Available at:. www.nadoi.org Accessed July 26, 2008
41. International Association of Dog Professionals. Available at:. www.dogpro.org Accessed July 26, 2008
42. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Available at:. http://www.avsabonline.org Accessed December 9, 2008
43. Overall K.L. How do we obtain and disseminate accurate information?. J Vet Behav:Clin Appl Res 1 (2006) 89-93
44. Hetts S., Williams N., Estep D.G., et al. Letter to the editor. J Vet Behav: Clin Appl Res 2 3 (2007) 78-79
45. Luescher A.U., Flannigan G., and Mertens. The role and limitations of trainers in behavior treatment and therapy. J Vet Behav:Clin Appl Res 2 (2007) 26-27
46. Cooper S. Letter to the editor. J Vet Behav:Clin Appl Res 2 3 (2007) 77
47. Delta Society. Professional standards for dog trainers. Available at:. www.deltasociety.org/toc.htm Accessed July 3, 2008
48. Bancroft R. Municipal government today: problems and complaints. In: NCL research report, America's mayors and councilmen: their problems and frustrations. League of Cities. Washington DC 1974.
49. Michaud D.S., Keith S.E., and McMurrchy D. Noise annoyance in Canada. Noise Health 7 27 (2005) 39-47
50. Mixon C. Available at:. www.BarkingDogs.Net Accessed June 25, 2008
51. Jackson T. Is it time to ban dogs as household pet?. Br Med J 331 (2005) 127
52. Mixon C. The dog owner license as a solution to the dog barking and biting epidemic. Available at:. BarkingDogs.net/solutions.shtml Accessed June 25, 2008
53. Poss J.E., and Bader J.O. Attitudes toward companion animals among Hispanic residents of a Texas border community. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 10 3 (2007) 243-253
54. Hsu Y., Severinghaus L.L., and Sepell J.A. Dog keeping in Taiwan; its contributions to the problem of free-roaming dogs. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 6 1 (2003) 1-23
55. Seligman M.E.P. Helplessness: on depression, development, and death (1975), W H Freeman and Company, San Franciso (CA)
56. Randall J. Excessively barking dogs contribute to noise pollution. Aust Vet J 84 4 (2003) 191
57. Senn C.L., and Lewin J.D. Barking dogs as an environmental problem. J Am Vet Med Assoc 166 (1975) 1065-1068
58. Juarbe-Diaz S.V. Assessment and treatment ofexcessive barking in the domestic dog. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 27 3 (1997) 515-532
59. In: Berglund B., Lindvall T., and Schwela D. (Eds). Guidelines for community noise (1999). World Health Organization. Available at: www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise Accessed June 26, 2008
60. Baxter DN. The deleterious effects of dogs on human heath: dog-associated injuries. Community Medicine 1984;6:29-36.
61. Ram J.L., Thompson B., Turner C., et al. Identification of pets and raccoons as sources of bacterial contamination of urban storm sewers using a sequence-based bacterial source tracing method. Water Res 41 16 (2007) 3605-3614
62. Schueler T, Holland H. The practice of watershed protection: techniques for protecting our nation's streams, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. 2000.
63. Pollution prevention fact sheet: animal waste collection. Available at:. www.stormwatercenter.net Accessed June 26, 2008
64. Mixon C. Available at:. www.newaniamlcontrol.org Accessed June 25, 2008
65. Toxoplasmosis: epidemiology & risk factors. Available at:. http://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/epi.html Accessed July 26, 2008
66. The impact of cats on Galapagos. Charles Darwin Research Station fact sheet. Available at:. www.CharlesDarwinresearchStationFactSheet.org Accessed June 29, 2008
67. Guo J. The Galapagos Islands kiss their goat problem goodbye. Science 313 (2006) 1567
68. The cat debate. Available at:. www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan04/040115a.asp Accessed January 26, 2006
69. Gorman S., Levy J., and Pierce. A public policy toward the management of feral cats. Law Rev 2 2 (2004) 177-181
70. Robertson S.A. A review of feral cat control. J Feline Med Surg 10 4 (2008) 366-375
71. Foley P., Foley J.E., Levy J.K., et al. Analysis of the impact of trap-neuter-return programs on populations on feral cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 227 11 (2005) 1775-1781
72. Hughs K.L., Slater M.R., and Hailer L. The effects of implementing a feral cat spay/neuter program in a Florida county animal control service. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 5 4 (2002) 285-298
73. Suzan G., and Ceballos G. The role of feral mammals on wildlife infectious disease prevalence in two nature reserves within Mexico City limits. J Zoo Wildl Med 26 3 (2005) 479-484
74. Riley S.P., Foley J., and Chomel B. Exposure to feline and canine pathogens in bobcats and gray foxes in urban and rural zones of a national park in California. J Wildl Dis 40 1 (2004) 11-22
75. Jessup D.A., Pettan K.C., Lowenstine L.J., et al. Feline leukemia virus infection and renal spirochetosis in free-ranting cougar (Felis concolor). J Zoo Wildl Med 24 (1993) 7379
76. Miller M.A., Gardner I.A., Kreuder C., et al. Coastal freshwater runoff is a risk factor for Toxoplasmosa gondii infection of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). Int J Parasitol 32 (2002) 997-1006
77. Munson L., Terio K.A., Kock R., et al. Climate extremes promote fatal co-infections during canine distemper epidemics in African lions. African Wildlife 3 6 (2008) e2545
78. Leisewitz A.L., Carter A., van Vuuren M., et al. Canine distemper infections, with special reference to South Africa, with a review of the literature. J S Afr Vet Assoc 72 3 (2001) 127-136
79. Woodford R. Exotic cats and pet bears: biologists monitor exotic pets, captive wildlife. Alaska Fish & wildlife News (2005, August). Available at: www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov Accessed June 28, 2008
80. Andersone Z., Lucchini V., and Ozoli J. Hybridisation between wolves and dogs in Latvia as documented using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers. Mamm Biol 67 2 (2002) 79-90
81. Porter S. Dr. Porter's rebuttal to Wisconsin Wolf Plan's section on wolfdogs. Available at:. www.idir.net/∼wolf2dog/porter1.htm Accessed June 28, 2008
82. HSUS pet overpopulation estimates. Available at:. www.hsus.org/pets/issues Accessed June 25, 2008
83. From the Desk of Boks. U.S. shelter killing toll drops to 3.7 million dogs & cats: an analysis by Merritt Clifton. Available at: (2007). laanimalservices.blogspot.com/2007/08 Accessed June 29, 2008
84. Steve Z., and Zawistowski Z. Companion animals in society (2008), Thomson Demar Learning, Clifton Park (NY)
85. Zawistowski S., and Morris J. Population dynamics, overpopulation, and the welfare of companion animals: new insights on old and new data. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 1 3 (1998) 193-206
86. Lord L.K., Wittum T.E., Ferketich A.K., et al. Demographic trends for animal care and control agencies in Ohio from 1996-2004. JAVMA 229 (2006) 48-54
87. Bartlett P.C., Bartlett A., Walshaw S., et al. Rates of euthanasia and adoption for dogs and cats in Michigan animal shelters. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 8 (2005) 97-104
88. Rowan A. Shelters and pet overpopulation: a statistical black hole. Anthrozoos 5 (1992) 140-143
89. White D.J., and Shawhan R. Emotional responses of animal shelter workers to euthanasia. J Am Vet Med Assoc 208 (1996) 846-849
90. Rogelberg S.G., DiGiacomo N., Reeve C.L., et al. What shelters can do about euthanasia-related stress: an examination of recommendations from those on the front line. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 10 4 (2007) 331-347
91. Rogelberg S.G., Reeve C.L., Spitzmuller C., et al. Impact of euthanasia rates, euthanasia practices, and human resource practices on employee turnover in animal shelters. J Am Vet Assoc 230 5 (2007) 713-719
92. Patronek G.L., Glickman L.T., Beck A.M., et al. Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter. J Am Vet Assoc 209 3 (1996) 572-581
93. Shore E.R. Returning a recently adopted companion animal; adopters' reasons for and reactions to the failed adoption experience. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 8 3 (2005) 187-198
94. Salman M.D., Hutchiinson J., Ruch-Gallie R., et al. Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to 12 shelters. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 3 20 (2000) 93-106
95. Scarlett J.M., Slaman M.D., New J.G., et al. Reasons for relinquishment of companion animals in U.S. shelters: selected health and personal issues. J Appl Ani Welf Sci 2 1 (1999) 41-57
96. New Jr. J.C., Salman M.D., Scarlett J.M., et al. Characteristics of dogs and cats and those relinquishing them to 12 U.S. animal shelters. J Appl Ani Welf Sci 2 2 (1999) 83-97
97. From the Desk of Ed Boks. Breaking down the numbers (April 20, 2008). Available at: www.laanimalservices.blogspot.com Accessed July 9, 2008
98. Spay/neutered required for cats and dogs in Los Angeles City. Available at:. www.laanimalservices.com Accessed July 9 2008
99. Goodyear C. Supervisors vote to require neutering of pit bulls, mixes in Contra Costa, Board votes to bar felons from owning big dogs. San Francisco Chronicle (2005). Available at: www.sfgate.com Accessed July 9, 2008
100. Lieberman L.L. A case for neutering pups and kittens at two months of age. J Am Vet Med Assoc 191 (1987) 518-521
101. Lagos M.S.F. Sterilization law successful in reducing pit bull population. San Francisco Chronicle (2007). Available at: www.sfisonline.com Accessed July 9, 2008
102. Andersen M.C., Martin B.J., and Roemer G.W. Use of matrix population models to estimate the efficacy of euthanasia versus trap-neuter-return for management of free roaming cats. JAVMA 225 12 (2004) 1871-1876
103. Duxbury M.M., Jackson J.A., Line S.W., et al. Evaluation of association between retention in the home and attendance at puppy socialization classes. J Am Vet Assoc 223 1 (2003) 61-66
104. Herron M.E., Lord L.K., Hill L.N., et al. Effects of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquire from shelters. J Am Vet Assoc 231 4 (2007) 558-562
105. Shore E.R., Burdsal C., and Douglas D.K. Pet owner's views of pet behavior problems and willingness to consult experts for assistance. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 11 (2008) 63-73
106. Animal hoarding: structuring interdisciplinary responses to help people, animals and communities at risk. Patronek GJ, Loar L, Nathanson JN, eds. 2006 Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium. Available at: www. Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium.
107. Patronek G. Tips for identifying animal hoarders. JAVMA 221 8 (2002) 1088-1089
108. Patronek G. Animal hoarding: what caseworkers need to know. Animal Rescue League of Boston Mass Housing Community Services Conference 2007. Animal Rescue League of Boston.
109. Beaver B.V. Clinical classification of canine aggression. Appl Anim Ethol 10 (1983) 35-43
110. Shuler C.M., DeBess E.E., Lapidus J.A., et al. Canine and human factors related to dog bite injuries. J Am Vet Assoc 232 4 (2008) 542-546
111. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nonfatal dog bite-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments-United States, 2001. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 52 26 (2003) 605-610
112. MacBean C.E., Taylor D.M., and Ashby K. Animal and human bite injuries in Victoria, 1998-2004. Med J Aust 186 1 (2007) 38-40
113. Dwyer J.P., Douglas T.S., and van As A.B. Dog bite injuries in children-a review of data from a South African paediatric trauma unit. S Afr Med J 97 8 (2007) 597-600
114. Rosado B., Garcia-Belenguer S., Leon M., et al. A comprehensive study of dog bites in Spain, 1995-2004. Vet J (2008) [E pub ahead of print]
115. Beck A.M., and Jones B.A. Unreported dog bites in children. Public Health Rep 100 (1985) 315-321
116. Rossman B.B., Bingham R.D., and Emde R.N. Symptomatology and adaptive functioning for children exposed to normative stressors, dog attack, and parental violence. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 36 8 (1997) 1089-1097
117. De Keuster T., Lamoureux J., and Kahn A. Epidemiology of dog bites: a Belgian experience of canine behaviour and public health concerns. Vet J 172 3 (2006) 482-487
118. Clifton M. Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006. Animal People (2007)
119. Gershman K.A., Sacks J.J., and Wright J.C. Which dogs bite? A case-control study of risk factors. Pediatrics 93 (1994) 913-916
120. Sacks J.J., Sinclair L., Gilchrist J., et al. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 217 (2000) 836-840
121. Wright J.C. Severe attacks by dogs: characteristics of the dogs, the victims, and the attack settings. Public Health Rep 100 (1985) 55-61
122. Thompson P.G. The public health impact of dog attacks in a major Australian city. Med J Aust 167 3 (1997) 129-132
123. Borchelt P.L., et al. Attacks by packs of dogs involving predation on human beings. Public Health Rep 98 (1983) 57-65
124. Sacks J.J., Sattin R.W., and Bonzo S.E. Dog-bite related fatalities from 1979 through 1988. JAMA 262 (1989) 1489-1492
125. Bandow J.H. Will breed-specific legislation reduce dog bites?. Can Vet J 37 (1996) 478-483
126. Ledger R.A., Orihel J.S., Clarke N., et al. Breed specific legislation: considerations for evaluating its effectiveness and recommendations for alternatives. Can Vet J 46 (2005) 735-743
127. Delise K. The pit bull placebo (2007), Anubis Publishing, Ramsey (NJ)
128. Scott J.P., and Fuller J.L. Genetics and the social behavior of the dog (1965), The University of Chicago Press, Chicago