Dogs in rescue shelters face significant psychological challenges, and welfare-centred shelter management prioritises behavioural support alongside physical health care.
Shelter environments are inherently challenging for dogs due to noise, confinement, loss of social attachments, and unpredictable routines. Welfare-centred shelters implement structured daily routines, positive human interaction programmes, environmental enrichment, and behavioural assessment to minimise stress and identify animals needing additional support. Dogs showing severe kennel stress benefit most from foster placement or transfer to quieter environments. Behaviour rehabilitation before adoption, combined with owner education on managing the transition home, significantly reduces adoption failures and their associated welfare costs.