Animals surrendered to rescue organisations or abandoned face significant welfare challenges during the transition period and in shelter environments that require specific management attention.
The welfare of animals surrendered to rescue organisations is a complex challenge that begins with the stress of separation from familiar environments and people, and continues through the often impoverished environment of shelter housing. Kennelled dogs show measurable welfare deterioration over time including elevated cortisol, increased stereotypic behaviour, and reduced sociability that paradoxically makes successful adoption more difficult. Cat upper respiratory disease is endemic in many shelter environments. Foster care systems that place animals in home environments provide significantly better welfare outcomes than traditional kennelling and represent the direction of travel for progressive rescue organisations. Reducing the number of animals surrendered through preventive support for struggling owners is the most impactful intervention of all.