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2015 CFHS National Animal Welfare Conference
Behavioural assessments of shelter dogs
Dr. Rebecca Ledger, companion animal behaviour scientist
Behavioural assessments of shelter dogs can be good for animal welfare, shelter operations and
community safety. In particular, the behaviour displayed by a dog in a shelter has been shown to
predict, with varying certainty, the type of problems that dogs will exhibit within the shelter, as
well as post-adoption. Science-based assessments allow the shelter operator to manage such
behavioural issues through their re-homing decisions, rehabilitation and owner-dog matching.
However, using this information wisely, to benefit animals and their caregivers, requires that the
validity of the assessment process is understood.
Key Learnings:
1. Current scientific principles of personality theory and dog behavioural assessments
2. The aims and limitations of behavioural assessments in shelter dogs
3. Implementing a validated dog assessment tool using the Case Management approach
Speaker Biography:
Companion animal behaviour scientist from Vancouver. Rebecca completed three post-doctorate
fellowships in the adoption, diagnosis and management of dogs with behavioural disorders. Dr.
Ledger came to Canada in 2002 as a Visiting Scholar at the University of British columbia’s
Animal Welfare Program, where she lectured and supervised animal science students. She also
acts as an expert witness for the Crown and the BCSPCA in cases of animal cruelty and neglect.
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