Impact of the Timing of Spay-Neuter Related to Transport on Disease Rates in Relocated Dogs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Companion animal relocation programs transport animals from shelters in areas with a large homeless pet population (source shelters) to shelters in areas in which there is a large demand for adoptable animals (destination shelters). These programs reduce the need for euthanasia caused by shelter overcrowding and resource disparity. However, there is a risk of disease in transported animals due to increased potential for infectious disease exposure and the impact of transport stressors on disease susceptibility. This study evaluated whether the timing of spay-neuter surgery relative to transport impacted the rate of disease in relocated dogs. We found no increase in disease rates in dogs spayed or neutered within two weeks of arrival at the destination shelter as compared to dogs spayed or neutered within the two weeks prior to transport at the source shelter. ABSTRACT: Companion animal relocation programs are an important method to address geographic and resource disparities in pet overpopulation through transport from areas with high homeless pet populations to areas with high adopter demand. Despite mitigation by following best practices, a potential risk of animal relocation is increased disease incidence related to infectious disease spread and the effects of stress during transport. Surgical sterilization may compound disease risk due to the impact of surgical stress on disease susceptibility and the potential for disease exposure from other patients. Our study aimed to provide information about disease and surgical complication incidence as relates to the timing of surgical sterilization in relocated dogs. A population of 431 dogs relocated to a shelter in Washington State was monitored for disease while at the destination shelter and immediately post-adoption. No increased disease incidence was identified for dogs altered within two weeks of transport at the destination shelter compared with those altered within two weeks prior to transport at the source shelter. Because of disparities addressed by relocation programs, surgical sterilization of relocated companion animals is typically best performed at the destination shelter. Our study indicates that disease incidence is not increased by spay-neuter at the destination shelter.