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Monsalve S, Hammerschmidt J, Ribeiro M, Caleme MVD, Marconcin S, Filius G, Garcia RDCM. A One Welfare approach to identify socioeconomic vulnerability in families during investigations into companion animal abuse in Pinhais, Brazil. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e27. [PMID: 38487421 PMCID: PMC10936322 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
A One Welfare approach allows intervention to resolve problems related to the human-animal-environment interface. However, in Brazil and many other countries, there is poor communication between human and animal welfare services. In this research we considered a One Welfare approach in cases of abuse involving dogs and cats. When investigating pet abuse, professionals from the Animal Welfare Division of Pinhais, Brazil, can enter the home environment. During routine animal abuse investigations, the demographic profile of pet owners and their socioeconomic vulnerability was also recorded. Results from forty-five cases with (n = 30) and without (n = 15) suspicion of socioeconomic vulnerability were sent to the Department of Social Assistance of Pinhais, Brazil for confirmation. Socioeconomic vulnerability was suspected if socioeconomic problems were reported by the pet owners under investigation or their neighbours, as well by assessment of the socioeconomic environment of the families during home visits. Economic disadvantage was the most prevalent socioeconomic vulnerability. Cohen's Kappa coefficients support the ability of animal welfare service professionals to detect socioeconomic vulnerability. Almost half of all families considered to have socioeconomic vulnerability had not previously participated in social programmes. In all cases involving families already being assisted by the Department of Social Assistance, pets were found to be suffering abuse. Families with socioeconomic vulnerability confirmed were included in the social programmes. These results support the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to improve the well-being of families with dogs and cats. This study can help guide the development of an interdisciplinary approach to address animal abuse cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefany Monsalve
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Especialización en Bienestar Animal y Etología. Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia, Calle 170 No 54A-10, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Janaina Hammerschmidt
- Divisão de Bem-Estar Animal, Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente, Prefeitura de Pinhais, Rodovia Deputado João Leopoldo Jacomel 11427, Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Micheli Ribeiro
- Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social, Prefeitura de Pinhais, Rodovia Deputado João Leopoldo Jacomel 12050, Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Maria Vitoria Duarte Caleme
- Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social, Prefeitura de Pinhais, Rodovia Deputado João Leopoldo Jacomel 12050, Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Solange Marconcin
- Divisão de Bem-Estar Animal, Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente, Prefeitura de Pinhais, Rodovia Deputado João Leopoldo Jacomel 11427, Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Gizeli Filius
- Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social, Prefeitura de Pinhais, Rodovia Deputado João Leopoldo Jacomel 12050, Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cassia Maria Garcia
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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McDonald SE, Sweeney J, Niestat L, Doherty C. Grooming-Related Concerns Among Companion Animals: Preliminary Data on an Overlooked Topic and Considerations for Animals' Access to Health-Related Services. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:827348. [PMID: 35280138 PMCID: PMC8907591 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.827348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Grooming is an essential health maintenance activity that is fundamental to the welfare of many companion animals. Despite the potentially serious consequences of inadequate grooming for pets and their caregivers, few studies have examined the role of access to pet grooming services and supplies in promoting and maintaining companion animal health and welfare. The goal of this paper was 2-fold: (1) To provide preliminary findings demonstrating the scope of grooming and matting concerns among animals served by a large, non-profit animal welfare organization and (2) to provide a call for research to guide effective prevention of and responses to grooming-related omissions of care. We retrospectively extracted data from five American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) programs serving the New York City area: ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH), Community Medicine (CM), One ASPCA Fund, ASPCA-NYPD (New York City Police Department) Partnership, and the Community Engagement (CE) Program. The prevalence of grooming–related concerns was relatively consistent across all three veterinary service programs (AAH: 6%; CM: 4%; One ASPCA Fund: 6%). Thirteen percent of the ASPCA-NYPD Partnership's cruelty cases involved general hair matting concerns and/or strangulating hair mat wounds (93% were long-haired dog breed types). Five percent of CE cases received grooming-related supplies to support pet caregivers' in-home grooming capabilities. Our findings underscore the need to understand the scope of grooming-related concerns among animals served by veterinarians and other community programs to improve animals' access to health-related services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby E. McDonald
- Department of Strategy and Research, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Shelby E. McDonald
| | - Jessica Sweeney
- Community Engagement Program, Department of Humane Law Enforcement, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laura Niestat
- Veterinary Forensic Sciences, Department of Humane Law Enforcement, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New York, NY, United States
| | - Colleen Doherty
- Community Engagement Program, Department of Humane Law Enforcement, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New York, NY, United States
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Reese LA, Vertalka JJ, Richard C. Animal Cruelty and Neighborhood Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112095. [PMID: 33187259 PMCID: PMC7696964 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Animal cruelty appears to be widespread. Competing theories have been posed regarding the causes of animal cruelty leading to conflicting findings and little direction for public policies to combat it. Using data from police department reports of animal cruelty in the City of Detroit from 2007 to 2015 this project assesses competing theories of the causes of animal cruelty. The findings suggest that deviance and social disorganization theories best account for animal cruelty. Neighborhood conditions in terms of economic stress, vacancy and blight, and crime appear to have the greatest impact on animal cruelty in this urban area. Abstract Background: Animal cruelty appears to be widespread. Competing theories have been posed regarding the causes of animal cruelty leading to conflicting findings and little direction for public policies to combat it. Objective: To assess the applicability of extant theories of the causes of animal cruelty: domestic violence; deviance; perpetrator traits; and social disorganization. Methods: Data are drawn from police department reports of animal cruelty in the City of Detroit from 2007 to 2015; 302 incidences of animal cruelty were reported. Multiple regression is used to determine the theory which best appears to account for animal cruelty. Results: Common types of animal cruelty in Detroit are shooting; blunt force trauma; neglect; and dogfighting. While most incidents involve unknown persons; cruelty by owners; neighbors; and domestic partners is also common. Neighborhood conditions in terms of economic stress; vacancy and blight; and crime appear to have the greatest impact on animal cruelty. Conclusions: The findings from Detroit support deviance and social disorganization theories of animal cruelty. Neighborhood conditions in terms of economic stress, vacancy and blight, and crime appear to have the greatest impact on animal cruelty in this urban area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Reese
- Urban and Regional Planning and Political Science, Michigan State University, 517-353-5942, Human Ecology Building 552W, Circle Drive, Room 208A, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Cassie Richard
- Oregon Commission for the Blind, 535 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA;
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Arkow P. Human-Animal Relationships and Social Work: Opportunities Beyond the Veterinary Environment. CHILD & ADOLESCENT SOCIAL WORK JOURNAL : C & A 2020; 37:573-588. [PMID: 32921900 PMCID: PMC7474507 DOI: 10.1007/s10560-020-00697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A species-spanning approach that incorporates clients' relationships with their companion animals into family genograms, schools of social work curricula, continuing education, interviews, assessments, and interventions offers increased career opportunities, professional and personal growth and development, and a more comprehensive resolution of clients' issues, social justice concerns, and the prevention of family violence. This article identifies six reasons why social workers should be cognizant of human-animal relationships and introduces nine ways, with action steps, in which social workers can include these relationships into training and practice outside the more developed field of veterinary social work. These venues include: agencies working in child protection and child sexual abuse; children's advocacy centers and courthouse facility dogs; animal shelters; domestic violence shelters; public policy advocacy; clinical practice; agencies working with older and disabled populations; veterinary sentinels for intimate partner violence; and pet support services for homeless populations. Such attention to the human-animal bond can utilize social workers' problem-solving skills to improve delivery of services, identify clients' risk and resiliency factors, enhance social and environmental justice, expand academic inquiry, and increase attention to all of the vulnerable members of families and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Arkow
- The National Link Coalition, 16 Grasshopper Drive, Etowah, NC 28729 USA
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Toohey AM, Rock MJ. Disruptive Solidarity or Solidarity Disrupted? A Dialogical Narrative Analysis of Economically Vulnerable Older Adults' Efforts to Age in Place with Pets. Public Health Ethics 2018; 12:15-29. [PMID: 30891096 DOI: 10.1093/phe/phy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over one-third of older adults in many countries have a companion animal, and pets may harbor health-promoting potential. Few studies have considered pet-ownership in relation to economic vulnerability, and pet-ownership has not been often considered within policy efforts to promote ageing-in-place. We conducted a mixed methods case study to understand perspectives of both community agencies that support ageing-in-place and older adults themselves. A shortage of affordable, appropriate pet-friendly housing emerged as a challenge, even when framed as a legitimate choice and preference for many older adults. In this manuscript, we share the trajectories of three economically vulnerable older adults whose affordable housing needs became entangled with commitments to pets. Guided by dialogical narrative methodology, we offer each narrative as a short vignette to (i) illustrate the extent to which older adults will practice 'more-than-human solidarity' for a pet, even when their own well-being is compromised as a result; and (ii) highlight incongruence between the underlying moral values that shape solidaristic practices of individuals versus solidaristic arrangements that shape affordable housing opportunities. We suggest that housing rules and legislation that disrupt, rather than confirm, more-than-human solidarity may render older adults susceptible to, rather than protected from, deteriorating physical, mental and social well-being. We propose that collective solidaristic practices must reflect and subsume the moral complexity of solidarity practiced by individuals, to enable fair and equitable ageing-in-place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Toohey
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
| | - Melanie J Rock
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
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Pets, Social Participation, and Aging-in-Place: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Can J Aging 2018; 37:200-217. [PMID: 29631643 DOI: 10.1017/s0714980818000107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
RÉSUMÉDes données de référence nationales et représentatives de l’Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement (ÉLCV) ont été utilisées pour évaluer si la possession d’un animal de compagnie était associée à la participation sociale et à la satisfaction de vivre des personnes âgées (≥65 ans, n= 7,474). Des statistiques descriptives ont permis de distinguer les modalités de la possession d’animaux dans la population canadienne plus âgée, et des modèles de régression logistique ont été utilisés pour estimer les associations entre la participation sociale et la satisfaction de vivre de personnes âgées possédant ou non des animaux. Un tiers des personnes âgées de l’échantillon ont rapporté posséder des animaux. En moyenne, les personnes possédant des animaux avaient une satisfaction de vivre inférieure (OR=0,73, p<0,001) et participaient à moins d’activités sociales, récréatives et culturelles sur une base régulière (OR=0,73, p<0,001) que les personnes sans animaux; cependant, les personnes avec animaux n’étaient pas moins satisfaites de leur niveau actuel de participation sociale que celles sans animaux. Pour les propriétaires d’animaux dont la participation sociale était compromise, les animaux semblaient constituer un facteur de protection dans certaines circonstances. Des caractéristiques individuelles et des facteurs structurels liés au cadre conceptuel des Collectivités amies des aînés de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé ont permis de mieux comprendre ces résultats.
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Monsalve S, Ferreira F, Garcia R. The connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence: A review from the veterinary perspective. Res Vet Sci 2017; 114:18-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kogan LR, Schoenfeld-Tacher RM, Hellyer PW, Rishniw M, Ruch-Gallie RA. Survey of attitudes toward and experiences with animal abuse encounters in a convenience sample of US veterinarians. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2017; 250:688-696. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.250.6.688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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