Report highlights companion animal welfare concerns and contributing factors
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has released the Washington Animal Welfare Assessment. The report provides key background information, identifies needs and gaps, and builds the foundation for next steps to improve the animal welfare system in Washington.
The Objectives
- Compile and synthesize existing data to identify the contributing factors impacting animal welfare issues including but not limited to cat and dog population estimates, distribution, and ownership demographics.
- Assess the number and distribution of animal shelters and rescues, animal control agencies, and veterinary services.
- Capture current regulations, licensing and registration of animals, animal entities, and existing gaps.
About the study
Budget proviso ESSB 5950 directed WSDA to complete a statewide assessment of current companion animal welfare issues. The project veterinarian leading the assessment collaborated with and contacted over 170 individuals from academia, extension, industry, rescue, animal care and control, and veterinary (e.g., shelter, regulatory, private, research) sectors. The WSDA contracted with the University of Washington Center for One Health Research (UW COHR) to create, conduct, and analyze a survey of animal care and control agencies. Over 300 animal welfare organizations within Washington state were identified, and there were 225 individual responses representing 161 organizations. Washington State regulations, other state animal welfare programs, funding options, potential solutions, and animal welfare-related literature within the scope of the assessment were reviewed and summarized.
Recommendations
The report outlines six recommendations based on key findings to help improve companion animal welfare:
- Convene multi-disciplinary workgroups or task forces.
- Establish standardized databases for data collection, sharing, and reporting.
- Expand regulatory oversight and infrastructure to address animal businesses and importation.
- Secure additional funding and resources to support animal care, animal control, law enforcement, and community services.
- Increase access to veterinary care.
- Establish animal welfare-related outreach and educational resources.
 |
|
Access the full report
The full report is available on WSDA’s website.
Contact
Any questions about the report contents can be directed to Dr. Amber Itle, Washington State Veterinarian (aitle@agr.wa.gov).
|
|
