The Effect of Transportation on Puppy Welfare from Commercial Breeding Kennels to a Distributor.

Abstract

Many puppies from commercial breeding kennels (CBKs) are transported by ground from their kennels of origin to a distributor. This experience may elicit fear and stress during a sensitive developmental period, which may in turn negatively impact the puppies’ short- and long-term welfare. This study aimed to measure short-term effects of transportation on puppy welfare metrics. Eight-week-old puppies (n = 383) from 12 CBKs were tested at their kennels (pre-trans) and ~48 h after arriving at a distributor (post-trans). At each location, puppies underwent an isolation test, a stranger-approach test, and a physical health assessment. Behavioral responses to testing were scored from videos. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM), fecal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), and presence of intestinal parasites were also analyzed. Linear mixed-effects models identified decreased exploration (p < 0.001), and increased locomotion (p < 0.001) and escape attempts (p = 0.001) during the post-trans isolation test. Increased affiliative behavior (p < 0.001), FGM (p < 0.001) and sIgA (p = 0.014) were also observed post-trans. Findings support good physical health both pre- and post-trans, while behavioral and physiological changes suggest increased puppy distress post-trans. Higher post-transport affiliative behavior may indicate that puppies sought social support as a coping strategy after experiencing transport-related distress. Future studies should explore the efficacy of transportation-related interventions to mitigate puppy distress.

Description

Publication history: Accepted - 24 November 2022; Published online - 1 December 2022

Keywords

puppy, transportation, commercial breeding kennel, behavior, cortisol, IgA, parasite, welfare

Citation

Romaniuk, A.C., Diana, A., Barnard, S., Weller, J.E., Espinosa, U.B., Dangoudoubiyam, S., Shreyer, T., Arnott, G. and Croney, C. (2022) ‘The Effect of Transportation on Puppy Welfare from Commercial Breeding Kennels to a Distributor’, Animals. MDPI AG. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233379.

DOI

Collections