What matters most to adopters? A cross-sectional study of dog and cat adoption preferences in Portugal

Authors: Paulo Afonso, Luís Cardoso, Hélder Quintas, Isilda Rodrigues and Ana Cláudia Coelho

Ger. J. Vet. Res 2026. vol. 6, Iss. 2 pp:24-34
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2026.2.0186

article-picture
Abstract:

Animal shelters increasingly contribute to companion animal population management, particularly in countries such as Portugal, where recent legislation has established the “no-kill” principle as a central element of shelter policy. Identifying adopter preferences is essential for facilitating successful placements and minimizing length of stay. This cross-sectional study, the first conducted in Portugal, examined the attributes most valued by potential adopters when considering shelter adoption. A validated online questionnaire was administered to 415 participants between February and October 2021. Behavior (52.8%), size (49.6%), vaccination and deworming status (44.3%), and age (36.1%) were identified as the most valued traits. In contrast, breed (7.2%), sex (6.3%), and coat color (5.1%) were less frequently prioritized. Combinations of highly valued attributes were analyzed to identify underlying patterns. Preferences varied by education level and prior pet ownership. Overall, respondents indicated a preference for shelter adoption, despite limited prior experience with shelter visitation and adoption, and placed greater importance on health- and behavior-related traits than on physical characteristics. These findings may support the development of more effective shelter communication and management strategies that reflect evolving adopter expectations.

Keywords:

Adoption, Animal shelter, Preferences, Portugal, Shelter medicine

Statistics:

Article Views: 443
PDF Download: 12