CHARACTERISTICS OF DOG ADOPTERS IN THE URBAN AREA OF BOTUCATU

Abstract

The superpopulation of domestic animals like dogs and cats are causing problems to the society, such as an increase in the number of bites, accidents and the transmission of zoonotic diseases. To the best interest of Public Health, it is necessary to remove those animals from the streets. Once removed, the animals are evaluated regarding the risks they may represent and, eventualy, are donated again. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psycosocial characteristics that dog adopters have, wheter the adoption is made in a public kennel or in a donation fair. A questionnaire aiming at the psicological, economical and at the animal characteristics was applied in all Botucatu dog adopters for two months. A total of 29 adoptions were registered in the refered period. The adopters mean age was 39 (± 14,4) years, and they live with a partner and have children.