A dog rescue charity is leading the way on animal welfare following a joint study with the University of Lincoln on visitor policy.

Jerry Green Dog Rescue partnered with the University of Lincoln, UK, to understand the impact regular visitors to dog kennels had on the dogs’ welfare and behaviour in a six-week research project.

After introducing its Meet & Match scheme in 2008; the charity teamed with the researchers to find real evidence that the scheme was having a positive impact on dogs in the charity’s care.

The results have since been presented at the International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting and the Association of Dog and Cat Homes Conference and was recently published in the international scientific journal ‘Physiology & Behavior’.

During the study, behaviour and physiology characteristics of 15 dogs were analysed alongside kennel noise levels and response to human interaction during restricted visitor access and open visitor access.

Restricted visitor access meant dogs were introduced to potential owners on a one-to-one basis away from the kennels, while open visitor access meant that members of the public were able to view dogs unsupervised during a two-and-a-half hour period daily (except Wednesdays).

The results revealed that dogs were significantly quieter and expressed characteristics suggestive of increased relaxation when visitor access was restricted.

“The findings of the study completed by the University of Lincoln have reassured us that we’re already caring for dogs the best way we can,” said David Foulds, Chief Executive of Jerry Green Dog Rescue.

“Dogs that are being rehomed can suffer from stress as they’re getting used to a new environment and new people so we wanted to know that our Meet & Match scheme was really improving how we care for our dogs, and this study gave us the opportunity to do so.

“We now know restricted visitor is having a positive effect on dogs in our care as a result of the findings. Our Meet & Match scheme makes sure that anyone looking for a dog is interviewed by a member of the team to find out which dog will best suit them.

“Dogs are then introduced to potential owners in an environment away from the kennels. It’s had a positive impact on the welfare of our dogs and has been recognised by other dog charities as best practice.”

Dr Sarah Ellis, Research Fellow from the School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, said: “We would like to thank the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare who funded such an important study. Collaborating with Jerry Green Dog Rescue has been a fantastic opportunity to carry out a piece of applied research, of which the results have provided a strong evidence base on how to directly improve on kennelled dog welfare.”

The charity’s south Lincolnshire centre in Algarkirk, Boston, Lincolnshire, took part in the study published in Physiology and Behaviour Journal 133 (2014) 1–7.

ENDS

Follow us on Twitter @jerrygreendogs
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Jerry-Green-Dog-Rescue/
Visit: www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk

Notes to editors:
1. Lynn F. Hewison, Hannah F. Wright, Helen E. Zulch, Sarah L.H. Ellis ‘Short term consequences of preventing visitor access to kennels on noise and the behaviour and physiology of dogs housed in a rescue shelter’ Physiology & Behavior http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.04.045

2. Jerry Green Dog Rescue was founded in 1961 in Broughton, Lincolnshire and is now one of the UK’s largest dog rescue charities. It has rescue centres in five locations:
Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire
Blidworth near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Broughton near Brigg, North Lincolnshire
Algarkirk near Boston, Lincolnshire
Thirsk, North Yorkshire

3. Jerry Green Dog Rescue has a caring ethos which puts the dogs in its care at the centre of everything it does. It also operates a policy whereby prospective adopters are introduced to dogs in a neutral environment away from the kennel, resulting in less stress for the dog and increasing the chances of permanent homes being found.

4. The adoption process at Jerry Green Dog Rescue involves a number of introductory visits and the rehoming team provide pre and post adoption support to ensure the move to the dog’s new home is as smooth as possible.

5. The charity receives no Government or National Lottery funding. This means it is dependent on the generosity of public and corporate donors/sponsors.

For media information please contact:
Sarah Howells
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
sarah@weareshootingstar.co.uk
@shootingstarpr
@sarahhowellspr
[jerrygreen48LincolnUniStudy]