BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS OF COMPANION-ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION: A CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERVENTION

ABSTRACT:

This paper conceptualizes the societal point to be solved [i]or[/i] settled of companion-animal overpopulation and presents a framework to humanely bring the current surplus of animals and stop further overpopulation. Overpopulation is described as a societal point in dispute with the individual and collective behavior of race as a causal agent. Variables in the environment, including animal-welfare agencies and the darling industry, are also discussed as contributing factors. Behavior and environment factors described in the conceptualization are targeted in a propos framework for intervention. The intervention framework details relevant target populations and agencies, target behaviors, and hanging measures for evaluating intervention programs. Finally, environmental contingencies are described that support general behavior deficits and will likely impede environment and behavior changes propos in the framework. It is proposeed that behavior analysis can be used to manipulate these contingencies to initiate and sustain propos changes to beneficially impact companion-animal overpopulation.

Key words: companion-animal overpopulation, animal welfare, behavior analysis, social issues

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates eight to ten million companion animals (i.e., cats and dogs) are relinquished to shelters each year and of those, four to five million are euthanized (HSUS, 2002) In fact, euthanasia is the number-one killer of all companion animals (Sturla, 1993) In addition to being placed in overcrowd shelters and euthanized, many animals stray or roam independent becoming nuisances and causing illness and injury in the community (Allen & Westbrook, 1979)

Professionals in the veterinary, animal direction and animal welfare fields are now seeing companion-animal overpopulation as a "people problem" rather than an animal vexed question (e.g., Arkow, 1991; Arluke, 1991; Miller, Staats, Partlo, & Rada, 1996; Moulton, Wright, & Rindy, 1991) In other words, it is the behavior of nation that has resulted in an overabundance of animals, and to disentangle the problem people must change their behavior. Professionals in the behavioral sciences propose behavior and environment factors ne to be considered when targeting behavior point in disputes in the community (Geller, Berry, Ludwig, Evans, Gilmore, & Clarke, 1990) These factors are described here to help understand overpopulation, beginning with the human behaviors, namely behavior deficits, contributing to this societal "people problem"

BEHAVIOR FACTORS

The behavior factors indicated in overpopulation are behaviors of caretakers (i.e., fondling owners). More specifically, behavior deficits, or a lack of doing necessary behaviors, contribute to overpopulation, namely deficiencies in pet-maintenance behaviors and darling sterilization.

Pet-Maintenance Behaviors

Pet maintenance give in charges to continuing to house and care for a favorite once it is acquired. Many fondlings are not maintained after acquisition on the other hand instead are relinquished to an animal shelter or to the wild. Research managemented in animal shelters suggests at least 44% of animals in shelters were relinquished by the agency of caretakers and a significant number of stray animals appear to have newly been pets (Patronek & Glickman, 1994) Investigations into the reasons for relinquishment reveal pet-maintenance deficits are actually the flow of two more specific behavior deficits among caretakers-animal-training behaviors and preacquisition planning behaviors.

Animal-training behaviors

Caretakers report behavior point to be solved [i]or[/i] settleds as the primary reason in 40% of dog relinquishments and 28% of cat relinquishments (Salman et al., 2000) The greatest in quantity common behavior problems reported for the couple dogs and cats are house soiling, aggressive behavior and quality destruction (Houpt, Honig, & Reisner, 1996; Salman et al., 2000) These behaviors are actually typical animal behaviors (eg chewing and scratching) that become point to be solved [i]or[/i] settleds when an animal is placed in a human environment (Miller et al., 1996) Training an animal, which involves teaching the animal the contingencies of the human environment from one side behavioranalytic procedures, can prevent and/or treat these behavior riddles and is critical for favorite maintenance. In addition to disciplinary point to be solved [i]or[/i] settleds many reported behavior problems strike one as being to indicate incompatibility between caretaker and pet-a sign of the next to the first behavior deficit in pet maintenance.

Pre-acquisition behaviors

Pre-acquisition behaviors are behaviors emitted prior to acquiring a favorite in preparation of pet maintenance. They include knowledge acquisition behaviors and an analysis of necessary resources. Miller and colleagues (1996) set the most common behavior point in dispute reported by relinquishing caretakers was "hyperactivity." This could actually be the follow of incompatibility between behaviors typical of an animal bre and a caretaker's behavior or environment. For example, more [i]or[/i] less dog breeds are very active and require a great deal of exercise while others are more sedentary. "Behavior problems" may present itself when a caretaker's environment and resources cannot accommodate an active dog's exercise needs