Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Reported Acquisition Practices Of Australian Dog Owners, Simone A. Blackman, Bethany J. Wilson, Alistair R. Reed, Paul D. Mcgreevy

Rescue and Surrender of Companion Animals Collection

In Australia, the UK and the US dog ownership is prevalent with an estimated 40% of Australian households, 25% of UK households, and 50% of US households owning a dog. Once acquired, a dog usually becomes a family companion so, unlike a faulty product, it can rarely be returned or resold without some emotional impact on both the acquirer and the dog. Regarding the reality of dog relinquishment, there is a growing need for cross-disciplinary research that considers how dog owners are making their acquisition choices and, if prioritising different attributes, leads to more optimal acquisition choices. This research collected …