Behavioral assessments used to make life-or-death decisions about shelter dogs have significant welfare implications and face growing scientific scrutiny.
Behavioral assessment in animal shelters carries enormous stakes — dogs may be euthanized based on test performance without recognition that shelter stress, not character, is driving the behavior. Research has documented significant validity problems with widely used assessment protocols, meaning dogs are sometimes euthanized based on invalid predictions. Moving toward multi-context assessment, foster programs, and stress reduction before assessment would improve both welfare outcomes and the accuracy of decisions that determine which dogs live. The science of shelter behavioral assessment is improving, but implementation lags significantly.