A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations
2022
Author
Blain Murphy (Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK), Claire McKernan (Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK), Catherine Lawler (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland), Patrica Reilly (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland), Locksley L. McV. Messam (UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland), Daniel Collins (Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College Dublin Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin, Ireland), Sean M. Murray (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland), Rob Doyle (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland), Natascha Meunier (Animal Health Ireland, Apartment 3, Carrick-On-Shannon, N41 WN27 Co. Leitrim, Ireland), Aiden Maguire (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, D02 WK12 Dublin, Ireland), Simon J. More (UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)
Abstract
This novel qualitative study identifies challenges and opportunities to improve dog welfare in Ireland, as perceived by dog welfare organisations (DWOs), a previously underutilised stakeholder. This study sought the views of this predominantly voluntary sector of the next steps for policy and action in dog welfare, in light of the effects of the “puppy pandemic”, increased costs and COVID-19 restrictions. An integrated online focus group and interview design involving DWOs was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified 2 key themes: (1) Key challenges and solutions in general dog welfare and (2) Challenges and opportunities in the welfare organisation sector. DWOs perceived poor public awareness of appropriate dog-husbandry, inadequate legislation enforcement, negative impact of puppy farms, and increased financial and volunteer burden. DWOs helped construct a best practice rehoming pathway, identified how overall standards could be improved and recommendations to enhance dog welfare. The DWOs perceived an increased numbers of households acquiring dogs, difficulties in rehoming, and financial challenges as threatening their viability as organisations and Irish dog welfare. Greater enforcement of legislation, greater communication between organisations and the government, and more media awareness were seen as helpful by the DWOs to improve dog welfare standards and their organisations.
DOI
Journal
Animals
Source
DOAJ