First rehoming of laboratory dogs in Finland successful but required a
great deal of work

Date:
October 5, 2020
Source:
University of Helsinki
Summary:
Researchers monitored the success of rehoming 16 laboratory beagles
in 2015-2018. The study revealed that the development of house
training skills could be supported by care arrangements at the
laboratory animal facilities.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The rehoming of laboratory dogs was the first of its kind in Finland. The rehoming process was started with months of practising basic pet dog
skills with the dogs and by familiarising them with the world outside
the laboratory.


==========================================================================
The practice period lasted from four to six months, depending on the dog.

"However, we found out that the socialisation time was not quite
sufficient for all dogs; owners reported that some dogs continued to be
timid and suffer from separation anxiety. The laboratory dog rehoming
process would be smoother if in the future laboratory dog facilities
separated out the defaecation and rest areas, gave dogs access to an
outside area and walked them outside on a leash," says Docent Marianna
Norring from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of
Helsinki.

The dogs had been living in packs of eight dogs for two to eight years
in the University's laboratory animal facilities, from where they had
daily access to an enclosed outside space. They spent the nights in
smaller groups of dogs.

At the University, the dogs had participated in both animal cognition
and veterinary medical studies. The cognition research provided basic information on canine minds, and a new tranquillising agent suitable
for dogs was developed in the veterinary medical study. The University
of Helsinki does not currently have laboratory dogs.

The rehoming of laboratory dogs was implemented as a collaboration
between SEY Animal Welfare Finland and the University of Helsinki. A
large group of individuals participated in socialising the dogs and
acquainting them with life outside the facility: animal caretakers, researchers, animal-rights campaigners and dog trainers. The aim was
to take into account the individual characteristics of each dog when
searching for a new home for them. Whenever possible, dogs were rehomed
in pairs. Generally speaking, the new owners have been extremely happy
about their new pets.

For the study, the dog rehoming process was monitored at the University
for four years by interviewing the participants and collecting information
from the new owners.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Helsinki. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Laura Ha"nninen, Marianna Norring. The First Rehoming of Laboratory
Beagles in Finland: The Complete Process from Socialisation Training
to Follow-up. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 2020; 48 (3):
116 DOI: 10.1177/0261192920942135 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201005101527.htm

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