Over the last two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in research on improving dog welfare in animal shelters. This includes studies showing that:
Dogs “experience fear and anxiety immediately upon admission” to a shelter. Unless those shelters provide clean environments, social enrichment, and kind treatment, the dogs will mentally deteriorate over time.
Isolating dogs alone and in barren kennels harms them.
Dogs are set up to fail unreliable temperament tests.
Much of that research has confirmed what people who live with dogs already know: to thrive, dogs need love, nutritious food, exercise, veterinary care, cleanliness, socialization with people and other dogs, and a sense of belonging. But, a study concluded that people tasked with caring for the neediest dogs in our society — including managers and staff of animal “shelters” — are the least likely to provide those things.