SHELTER FACILITIES AND THEIR ROLE IN CONTROLLING FREE-ROAMING DOG POPULATION IN ABRUZZO REGION: A PILOT STUDY

The aim of this pilot study is to identify standardised indicators useful for evaluating shelter performance in the Abruzzo region, central Italy. Data on animals admitted in 2023 and 2024 were extracted from the National Information System for Companion Animals (SINAC). A total of 2,252 dogs were analysed (1,077 in 2023 and 1,175 in 2024), and 18 active facilities were identified, with a mean capacity of 217 dogs per shelter. Most facilities had a medium (50–199 places) or large (≥200 places) capacity, while five were small (<50 places). Eight facilities (44%) were privately managed and 10 (56%) were publicly managed. The regional adoption rate increased from 45% (2023) to 49% (2024), while the mortality rate remained stable at 2%. The mean age at admission rose from 2.0 to 3.1 years, and the mean age at adoption increased from 1.5 to 2.4 years. The mean age at death increased from 3.4 to 6.2 years, and the average length of stay decreased from 104 to 94 days. Statistically significant differences were observed in adoption rates by sex in 2024 (χ² test, p = 0.004), among provinces (χ² test, p = 0.009 in 2023; p < 0.001 in 2024), and in age at adoption (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.0001 in 2023; p = 0.0015 in 2024). Mixed-effects logistic regression showed shelter-level variability (p < 0.001) and lower odds of adoption for animals aged 1–2 years (OR = 0.50) and over 2 years (OR = 0.31). Female sex and management were associated with trends towards higher and lower probabilities of adoption, respectively, and the probability of adoption was higher in 2024 (OR = 1.45). These findings may contribute to the development of standardised performance indicators to guide resource allocation and improve shelter management.