Have you rehomed a dog in the last six months?

A dog in an RSPCA rehoming kennel RSPCA

Press release issued: 17 February 2016

People who have adopted a dog in the last six months are being asked by the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences to take part in a survey about their decisions and how they came to choose the dog which they adopted.

The research is being conducted by Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science student Naomi Dicken as part of her final-year research project.

Naomi is investigating which factors affect people’s choices during the adoption process, how they come to choose particular breeds or types, and what features of individual dogs lead them to be selected over others.

Naomi and the rest of the team in the School of Veterinary Sciences Animal Welfare and Behaviour research group are working with a range of dog rehoming charities across the country, including the RSPCA and the Retired Greyhound Trust. The research team is particularly interested in why people choose particular breeds, and what stops some people choosing breeds such as greyhounds and Staffordshire bull terriers, both of which can be found in high numbers in rehoming centres but which can make fantastic pets. Whatever type of dog members of the public choose, the researchers are keen to hear people’s opinion.

Naomi Dicken said: “Completion of this questionnaire will be extremely helpful, as it is hoped the results will help charities to carry out their invaluable role of finding dogs forever homes even more effectively. Your answers could help rehome dogs.”

The questionnaire will take around ten minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and participation in the study is voluntary.

Members of the public who would be kind enough to take part in this research should go to the Dog rehoming questionnaire or for more information email Nicola.Rooney@bristol.ac.uk or telephone 0117 928 9469.