Читать книгу Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff - Группа авторов - Страница 189

One of the simplest strategies for behavioral support is to provide informational links or handouts on common behavior topics. In the aforementioned survey of sheltering organizations, while only 37% had safety net resources available on their website for pet owners, 80% of those organizations reported that the advice was focused on pet behavior (Russo et al. 2021). In addition to having freely accessible resources on its website, an organization can proactively share relevant information with adopters, with potential surrenderers, or at community outreach events. There are limited published data to support the impact of providing this information to prevent relinquishment, though given the wide availability of freely accessible material to use, the resource investment to collate this information for the organization’s purpose is minimal.

One advantage to this provision of resources is that these resources can cover a broad range of concerns across species. Many behavioral interventions, such as training classes, focus on canine behavioral health, but resources can include information on feline behavior as well as on small mammal, avian, and large animal behavioral health. The benefit of providing such information is likely to be greatest if resources focus on common behavior problems that can be resolved by simple intervention strategies, making individualized counseling unnecessary. In one study, advice provided to puppy owners on puppy raising at a single veterinary visit had lasting impact in reducing undesirable behaviors (Gazzano et al. 2008). Effective advice provided on just one occasion may benefit the pet and client.

Sharing of information and advice through behavioral resources in an easily accessible format has the potential to reach a large number of people. However, its impact may be modest, particularly for challenging behavioral concerns, compared to more intensive intervention strategies. Impact is presumably enhanced by provision of resources in conjunction with an individualized discussion of behavior. An investment of staff or volunteer time is necessary to collate or create resources as well as to provide this individualized discussion when offered.