Emergency Animal Boarding: A Social Return on Investment

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Companion animals are valued members of many families, providing companionship, affection, and someone to nurture and love. Some situations such as being suddenly hospitalized for mental or physical health or becoming homeless make it difficult for people to keep their animal companions, especially for those who have a limited support network. The RSPCA NSW Emergency Boarding and Homelessness program supports people experiencing a crisis to access boarding and veterinary treatment for their animals, helping to keep the family together in the long term. This study aimed to understand the social value created by the program and to express this value in monetary terms. We interviewed 13 stakeholders including program clients, RSPCA Inspectors, and human service providers to understand what changed for them because of the program and how they valued that change. The main changes were experienced by program clients and their animals. The most valuable changes were being able to keep their companion animal and improved mental health and wellbeing. We estimate that this program results in social value worth AUD 8.21 for each AUD 1 invested into running the program. This study shows the importance of considering companion animals as part of the family unit and supporting people experiencing a crisis to keep their companion animal. ABSTRACT: Companion animals play a central role in many families and are especially valued by those who are socially isolated. Crisis situations such as acute hospitalizations, homelessness, and natural disasters can make it difficult to preserve the human–animal bond and can result in animals being surrendered or euthanized. Social support programs like the RSPCA NSW Emergency Boarding and Homelessness program support people experiencing crisis situations with emergency pet boarding, access to veterinary treatment and individualized case management. This study aimed to estimate the social return on investment (SROI) for this program using the standard SROI methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 program stakeholders and questionnaire responses were received from 29 program clients. Outcomes were quantified for four stakeholder groups: program clients, client’s animals, RSPCA Inspectors, animal pounds, and shelters. Clients and their animals experienced the bulk of the benefit from the program, estimated to have a combined value of over AUD 5 million for the 2020–2021 financial year. The estimated social return on investment was AUD 8.21 for each AUD 1 invested. The study demonstrates that keeping people together with their companion animals or ensuring they are reunited as soon as possible can reduce stressors and improve outcomes for people and animals.