The Effects of Capacity For Care at the Guelph Humane Society

Animal shelters are often overwhelmed by the influx of cats and are constantly seeking solutions to better their outcomes. This project investigates the time trends in admission rates and risk factors that affect cats' length-of-stay at the Guelph Humane Society from 2011 to 2016, while assessing the effectiveness of the Capacity for Care program. This program is an animal population management plan which is aimed at reducing intake, increasing adoption rates, decreasing length-of-stay, and improving the welfare of cats in shelters. In 2014, the Guelph Humane Society implemented the Capacity for Care program to expedite the movement of cats through the shelter. The effects of this program on intake and length-of-stay of cats at the Guelph Humane Society are assessed. A significant reduction in admissions of adult cats following the introduction of the program was found when the analysis was adjusted for kittens. Cats were also 24% more likely to be adopted after its implementation. Exotic breeds were 64% more likely to be adopted than domestic shorthairs, males were 20% more likely to be adopted than females, and adult cats were 13% more likely to be adopted than kittens. This study provides evidence that the Capacity for Care program is associated with a reduced length of stay for cats and an increased likelihood of adoption, which suggests it is suitable for improving cat welfare and reducing cat overpopulation in the City of Guelph.