Companion Animals

Research relating to cats, dogs, birds, and other companion animals including rescue, sheltering, adoptions, and population.

grey pit bull-type dog sticking tongue out staring off into distance

Goodbye, BSL: The Public Is Changing Its Mind About Pit Bulls

Aug 11 2026 Alyssa Hanes

Pit bulls are hounded by a bad reputation in the U.S., and advocates have fought hard to rehabilitate their image. This study suggests it may be working, with more than 300 discriminatory breed-specific laws repealed since 2012. READ MORE

Goodbye, BSL: The Public Is Changing Its Mind About Pit Bulls

Aug 11 2026 Alyssa Hanes

In the Spotlight

Apr 8 2015 | karol orzechowski

Animal-Assisted Interventions in Children’s Hospitals: A Critical Review of the Literature

Animal Assisted Intervetions (AAIs), whereby cats, dogs, and other animals interact with patients and help them with their mental and physical healing through companionship, is becoming more common in hospitals. As the popularity of the therapy grows, researchers are keen to determine what, if any, empirical value the treatment has in helping patients heal. This study looks as the use of AAIs in children's hospitals, and finds generally positive results, but also notes that much more research needs to be done to draw stronger conclusions. READ MORE

Apr 1 2015 | karol orzechowski

Rethinking Dog Breed Identification in Veterinary Practice

The visual identification of dog breeds is made more difficult when assessing mixed breed dogs. This paper examines whether it is useful for veterinarians to attempt to visually identify mixed breed dogs, especially as a means of predicting future health problems that may be associated with certain breeds. The study recommends that animal hospitals adopt a policy of not using visual identification, and instead explain to their clientele that only purebred or DNA tested dogs will be identified by breed, while others should be identified in different, non-breed specific ways. READ MORE

Mar 31 2015 | karol orzechowski

The Connection Between Domestic Violence And Animal Cruelty In Puerto Rico: An Anthropological Study

This study of Porto Rican domestic violence, with a focus on companion animals, echoed many of the same dynamics found in other countries. READ MORE

Mar 25 2015 | karol orzechowski

Cat Metaphors In Malay And English Proverbs

This study examined English and Malay proverbs related to cats, in order to evaluate how cats are viewed in each respective culture. READ MORE

Mar 20 2015 | karol orzechowski

Characteristics Of 24 Cases Of Animal Hoarding In Spain

This study examined the phenomena of animal hoarding in Madrid, Spain and found many parallels of animal hoarding between Madrid and the U.S. READ MORE

Mar 17 2015 | karol orzechowski

New Survey Reveals Widespread Support For Trap-Neuter-Return

Science shows that trap-neuter-return is the best available option in most situations. And, the U.S. public is very much in agreement. READ MORE

Mar 11 2015 | karol orzechowski

Does the Attachment System Towards Owners Change in Aged Dogs?

The bond between humans and dogs has been well studied, yet researchers are always looking to explore new angles of the relationship to deepen our understanding. In this study, the authors examined the emotional bonds between older dogs and their human companions, to explore the type of attachment and see how it compares to bonds formed by younger dogs. Using a modified version of the "Strange Situation Test" and a salival cortisol sampling, the researchers looked at 50 dog/human groups, and found that aged dogs cope less efficiently with emotional distress. READ MORE

Mar 4 2015 | karol orzechowski

Should Dogs and Cats be Given as Gifts?

For animal advocates, the idea of giving companion animals as gifts has long been considered a poor practice, that increases the likelihood that those same animals will be relinquished to shelters. However, the results from this U.S. study, suggests we should reconsider this notion, as the data gathered from various research shows that companion animals given as gifts actually have a lower relinquishment rate than others. This study, carried out by various ASPCA members, challenges the prevailing wisdom around animal adoptions, and offers companion animal advocates a potential new avenue to successfully place animals in forever homes, even if it goes against "common sense." READ MORE

Feb 25 2015 | karol orzechowski

Chemical Sterilization: A Safe Alternative for Dogs?

In an effort to reduce stray dog populations, researchers are looking at the safety and effectiveness of chemical sterilization as an alternative to surgery. In this article, Raffaella Leoci looks at the use of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2) as a chemical sterilization agent that could help to make neutering programs more cost and time efficient. With the right formula and application, CaCl2 is highly effective, and the author concludes it could be a major step forward in reducing dog overpopulation. READ MORE

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