Newsletter: Shelter to Home: Surveys of Early Post-Adoption Experiences with More Than 22,000 Dog and Cat Adopters
Most shelter adopters say things are going great with their new pet, but dig a little deeper and the picture gets more complex. A landmark new study in the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health (JSMCAH) surveyed more than 22,000 dog and cat adopters from 112 shelters across 40 U.S. states—making it the largest post-adoption dataset ever analyzed. While over 94% rated their experience positively, 78% of dog adopters and 50% of cat adopters also reported at least one behavioral challenge. For dogs, the most common issues were house soiling (32%), play biting (34%), leash pulling (28%), and separation anxiety (24%). For cats, fear and hiding topped the list at 19%.
The study also found that by one month post-adoption, only 56% of cat adopters and 66% of dog adopters had completed their first veterinary visit, and nearly half of dog adopters had no plans for formal training. The researchers argue that simple "how's it going?" satisfaction questions may mask real welfare concerns, and that shelters, veterinarians, and post-adoption platforms can do more with species-specific support, proactive follow-up, and hands-on microchip registration guidance.
Don't miss this excellent article! Read the full text in Vol. 5 (2026) of the JSMCAH
Did you know publishing in JSMCAH is free thanks to support from the ASV? JSMCAH is a society-published, open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research that advances shelter and community animal health, welfare, and access to veterinary care, promoting evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for animals and the people who care for. Consider publishing with us!
