Current Studies ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF SHELTERED ANIMALS
Faculty, residents, interns, and veterinary students – all investigate important Shelter Medicine questions to understand the issues that impact the health and well-being of homeless and sheltered animals.
IMPROVING HEARTWORM TREATMENT
Study: Increasing Access to Heartworm Treatment for Dogs in Shelters
- Lead researcher: Dr. Linda Jacobson
- Researchers: Dr. Jessie Dyer, Dr. Julie Levy, Dr. Adrienne VanVlake, Dr. Brian DiGangi, Mirah Horowitz
The logistics and cost of heartworm treatment present multiple challenges for animal shelters. Prolonged in-shelter treatment in accordance with the American Heartworm Society protocol is impractical for many shelters where space and staffing are in short supply. Some shelters allow heartworm-positive dogs to be adopted with outpatient treatment instructions or a private veterinary clinic referral. Other shelters euthanize heartworm-positive dogs. Many shelters have developed abbreviated heartworm treatment protocols which have not been rigorously tested in prospective controlled clinical trials. A new study in partnership with the University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program, Toronto Humane Society, and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, made possible by a grant from PetSmart Charities, has the potential to change the way animal shelters across the United States treat heartworm-infected dogs.
Managing Community Cats
Maddie’s Summer Research Scholar: Return-to-Field programs for managing community cats in Florida shelters
- Lead researcher: Dr. Julie Levy
- Student researcher: Cassidy A. Schiefer
- Florida’s 150 shelters collectively take in more than 200,000 cats each year, most of which are unowned community cats taken in as strays. Only 72% of cats have live outcomes, compared to 88% of dogs. Return-to-Field (RTF) programs sterilize, vaccinate, ear-tip and return healthy un-owned shelter cats to the location of origin as an alternative to euthanasia or shelter crowding. RTF differs from traditional trap-neuter return programs in that RTF addresses cats that are admitted to shelters, whereas TNR typically addresses cats in the field. RTF programs are one of the most effective in quickly reducing shelter cat crowding, stress, disease, and euthanasia. This study will characterize the use of RTF programs in Florida shelters for managing community cats.
Better Outcomes for Vulnerable Cats
Published! Maddie’s Summer Research Scholar: Animal Shelter management programs for cats living with FeLV and FIV
- Lead researcher: Dr. Julie Levy
- Student researcher: Paola Dezubiria
Approximately 5% of cats in animal shelters in the United States test positive for either feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which translates to more than 100,000 positive cats managed by shelters each year. Animal shelters in Florida were surveyed to determine how they manage retroviral infections of cats, including selection of cats for testing, diagnostic techniques, and outcome options for cats with positive test results.
Most shelters offered lifesaving options for cats with positive screening test results. Similar to patterns for testing, shelters that routinely euthanized positive cats were more likely to be low intake, rural, municipal, and low live outcome. Shelters were more likely to offer live outcome options and less likely to routinely euthanize cats for FIV than for cats with FeLV.
Every AniMal Counts
Florida Shelter Animal Census: A snapshot of statewide intake and disposition
- Lead researcher: Dr. Julie Levy
- Researchers: Keegan Spera, Naima Cortes-Stoneberger, Susan Amirian
- Student researchers: Sara Stiehler, Chloe McKee, Casey Miller
- This statewide initiative will develop a reliable snapshot of the state’s shelter animal census, answering a critical question: How many cats and dogs are admitted to shelters each year and what happens to them?