Читать книгу Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters - Группа авторов - Страница 59

Just as a primary goal of animal care in the shelter is to maintain the physical health of animals, the behavioral or emotional health of animals likewise deserves careful attention and consideration. Good emotional or mental health implies a state of psychological or behavioral wellbeing. When animals possess good emotional health, they experience an array of positive emotional states (contentment, playfulness, relaxation) and can effectively function, learn, and adapt to everyday life. If faced with a stressful situation, they are able to cope and do not experience significant or prolonged stress, fear, anxiety, or frustration. In short, emotionally healthy animals are content, resilient and enjoy their lives, which should be the goal for any animal residing in a shelter.

When considering emotional health in the shelter, it must be recognized that animal shelters are not normal or natural environments in which to house cats and dogs. They are meant to serve as temporary housing for animals waiting to be reclaimed, rehomed, or returned to the field, and, in some cases, as temporary housing for animals that will be euthanized. Over the past several years, there has been a growing trend in animal sheltering to provide pets awaiting adoption with longer‐term stays. If not chosen by an adopter, an animal may stay in the shelter for weeks, months, or even years. Long‐term housing (i.e. greater than two weeks), however, predisposes animals to compromised behavioral health and welfare. In fact, maintaining the behavioral health and welfare of animals residing in shelters long term is extremely difficult because the risk of emotional distress and behavioral deterioration increases dramatically over time.

Cats and dogs experience many stressors in animal shelters, beginning at the time of admission to the facility. Even under the best possible conditions, animal shelters are stressful by their very nature: Incoming animals are confined and exposed to varying intensities of new and novel stimuli as well as to a variety of infectious disease agents. When confined long term, they often suffer from anxiety, social isolation, inadequate mental stimulation, and lack of exercise, all of which can adversely affect their physical and behavioral health and decrease their adoptability. This may increase their LOS in some shelters or result in euthanasia in others. Over time, the animal's emotional and/or physical well‐being is compromised even further.

When addressing behavioral health in the shelter, just as with disease control, prevention is crucial. A behavioral wellness program starts with proactive strategies to decrease stress and promote a positive emotional environment from the moment animals arrive at the shelter until the moment their stay ends. As previously described, a thorough behavioral history and examination are essential and will provide an important baseline for action and follow‐up. Also, ongoing examination and observation of behavior during all interactions are crucial in order to ascertain as much information as possible about an animal's emotional state, welfare, and personality. Careful attention must be given to housing and enrichment, and concurrent population management strategies must be employed to minimize LOS and maximize the best outcomes for animals.