Effect of pen size on old shelter dogs' behaviour.

In Italy, the law forbids euthanasia of unwanted dogs unless they are ill or dangerous. This leads to many dogs living in rescue shelters into their old age. Although many studies have investigated the effects of different kinds of environmental enrichment in kenneled dogs, little attention has specifically been paid to old dogs. We set out to investigate the possible effects of pen size on old shelter dogs’ behavior in 2 shelters owned by the same charity and managed in the same way. It was concluded that space allowance may have some importance for old kenneled dogs.