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The shelter dog in a One Health view. A model kennel in Southern Italy
* 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 1 , 1, 4
1  Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy.
2  Dog Park, Ottaviano, 80137 Naples, Italy
3  Animal Physiology and Behavior Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy.
4  Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy
Academic Editor: Vera Baumans

https://doi.org/10.3390/IECA2021-11975 (registering DOI)
Abstract:

Today, the kennel is considered one of the crucial concerns of the human-animal relationship, since it is very often regarded as animals dump, a place where dogs exile and thus a burden on society. Therefore, drawing up strategies for a new “kennel conception”, as an added value for human society, environment and dogs as well is mandatory. Accordingly, this shelter dog in southern Italy represents a model multifunctional structure aiming towards the One Health perspective.

Animal welfare and environment protection, together with human-dog relationship are the aims of such a dog shelter. It normally relies on the initial on a careful behavioral assessment and categorization by veterinary behaviorist, in order to guarantee the most suitable life conditions for the animals in the kennels, increase the chances of adoption and involve dogs in projects tailored to their predispositions.

In this respect, dogs housed there are normally included in training courses with the aim of increasing the skills to be used in different human social contexts, such as support to the inmates, rescue in the rubble, animal assisted interventions, as well as zooanthropology projects in schools. All these activities allow an improvement of the awareness degree, that is at the basis of the human animal relationship, thus reducing the risk of aggression and damage by the dog, as well as the creation of dysfunctional relationships.

A strength of this shelter is represented by the environmental protection schedule, where the objectives, established every three years, are the continuous improvement and minimization of the environmental impact, which are technically and economically sustainable. The shelter uses chemical-physical purification areas and phytovaporation of wastewater, thus reducing environmental pollution of the area.
A single health for animals, humans and environment is the task for the shelter approach.

Keywords: One Health; shelter dog; dog adoption; dog well-being; dog behaviour.

 
 
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