Adoptathon Case Study

Sandy L. MacArthur, University of Florida
Abstracts, Winner

OUTCOME OF PETS ADOPTED DURING A WAIVED-FEE ADOPTION EVENT: MADDIE’S MATCHMAKER ADOPTATHON 

 S. L. MacArthur, J. K. Levy, P. A. Dingman, S. J. Tucker.
Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA.

 Campaigns to increase shelter pet adoptions by reducing or eliminating adoption fees are controversial due to concern they may increase risk of poor care or abandonment. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of pets adopted during a waived-fee adoption event in the San Francisco Bay Area in June 2011.

   A survey regarding the adoption experience was sent to all 1,928 pet adopters. Pet and owner characteristics and pet lifestyle were compared between adopters who still had their pets 6-12 months post-adoption and those who did not.

   A total of 57% of adopters completed the survey, reporting that 95% of cats and 93% of dogs were still in the home. Pets were lost from the home by return to the shelter (1.8% cats; 2.2% dogs), rehoming (1.6%; 2.4%), death (1.4%; 2.0%), or going missing (.12%; .44%). Most pets lived predominantly indoors (95%; 93%), slept on the family bed (62%; 44%), and had been to a veterinarian (74%; 87%). Strong or very strong attachment to the pet was reported by 94% of adopters. There were no significant differences between the two groups based on pet attachment level, post-adoption lifestyle or healthcare, or perception of the adoption event.

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Entry, Creative Corner
Dana Connell, University of Florida

"Burrito"

"Curiousity"

"Gators"

Entry, Creative Corner
Nadya Gonzalez, Florida

Entry, Creative Corner
Jacob Saunders, Florida

"I Found It!"

"Snapper in the Sun"

"A Day at the Beach"

Jane Austen and General Pathology

By: Joelle Glenn

University of Florida, Class of 2013

It all began late one night, while  studying intensively (aka “cramming”) for a general pathology exam, by the application of a quote from one of Jane Austen’s novels, “Pride and Prejudice”, that helped to lighten the work of studying, and was posted on the Facebook profile of a Veterinary Student*:

‎"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library." - I honestly don't know if Jane Austen ever picked up a Gen Path book though...lol

Fyi…the textbook in question weighs about 12 pounds and is four inches thick!

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