Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family
Published research estimates shelter dogs’ post-adoption returns at 7–20%, with a significant percentage of these occurring in the first month post-adoption. To better understand factors that contribute to the success or failure of long-term rehoming outcomes, this study sought to understand post-ad...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/723 |
| _version_ | 1797264895912181760 |
|---|---|
| author | Eileen Thumpkin Nancy A. Pachana Mandy B. A. Paterson |
| author_facet | Eileen Thumpkin Nancy A. Pachana Mandy B. A. Paterson |
| author_sort | Eileen Thumpkin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Published research estimates shelter dogs’ post-adoption returns at 7–20%, with a significant percentage of these occurring in the first month post-adoption. To better understand factors that contribute to the success or failure of long-term rehoming outcomes, this study sought to understand post-adoption challenges up to four years post-adoption, targeting dogs identified as more likely to be returned. Thirty-one adopters participated in semi-interviews. Thematic analysis of their responses yielded three themes: (1) The adoption process takes time and requires patience; (2) Building trust and learning limits are essential to lasting adoptive relationships; and (3) Human–dog relationships are idiosyncratic because they involve unique individuals. These results have potential application in programs designed to guide adopters and dogs through a successful adoption process. Access to real-life adoption stories, such as those uncovered in this study, might help new adopters develop reasonable expectations and learn from others’ experiences as they work to develop lasting relationships with their dogs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:36:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-17f1f3dceff04fb38647648b0d495569 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:36:10Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-17f1f3dceff04fb38647648b0d4955692024-03-12T16:38:03ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-02-0114572310.3390/ani14050723Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and FamilyEileen Thumpkin0Nancy A. Pachana1Mandy B. A. Paterson2School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaSchool of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaRoyal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4076, AustraliaPublished research estimates shelter dogs’ post-adoption returns at 7–20%, with a significant percentage of these occurring in the first month post-adoption. To better understand factors that contribute to the success or failure of long-term rehoming outcomes, this study sought to understand post-adoption challenges up to four years post-adoption, targeting dogs identified as more likely to be returned. Thirty-one adopters participated in semi-interviews. Thematic analysis of their responses yielded three themes: (1) The adoption process takes time and requires patience; (2) Building trust and learning limits are essential to lasting adoptive relationships; and (3) Human–dog relationships are idiosyncratic because they involve unique individuals. These results have potential application in programs designed to guide adopters and dogs through a successful adoption process. Access to real-life adoption stories, such as those uncovered in this study, might help new adopters develop reasonable expectations and learn from others’ experiences as they work to develop lasting relationships with their dogs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/723dog adoptionpost-acquisitionadopter experiencesqualitative researchtransition to homehuman–animal relationship |
| spellingShingle | Eileen Thumpkin Nancy A. Pachana Mandy B. A. Paterson Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family Animals dog adoption post-acquisition adopter experiences qualitative research transition to home human–animal relationship |
| title | Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family |
| title_full | Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family |
| title_fullStr | Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family |
| title_full_unstemmed | Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family |
| title_short | Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters’ Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family |
| title_sort | coming home staying home adopters stories about transitioning their new dog into their home and family |
| topic | dog adoption post-acquisition adopter experiences qualitative research transition to home human–animal relationship |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/723 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eileenthumpkin cominghomestayinghomeadoptersstoriesabouttransitioningtheirnewdogintotheirhomeandfamily AT nancyapachana cominghomestayinghomeadoptersstoriesabouttransitioningtheirnewdogintotheirhomeandfamily AT mandybapaterson cominghomestayinghomeadoptersstoriesabouttransitioningtheirnewdogintotheirhomeandfamily |