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A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations.

ABSTRACT: This novel qualitative study identifies challenges and opportunities to improve dog welfare in Ireland, as perceived by dog welfare organisations (DWOs), a previously underutilised stakeholder. This study sought the views of this predominantly voluntary sector of the next steps for policy and action in dog welfare, in light of the effects of the "puppy pandemic", increased costs and COVID-19 restrictions. An integrated online focus group and interview design involving DWOs was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified 2 key themes: (1) Key challenges and solutions in general dog welfare and (2) Challenges and opportunities in the welfare organisation sector. DWOs perceived poor public awareness of appropriate dog-husbandry, inadequate legislation enforcement, negative impact of puppy farms, and increased financial and volunteer burden. DWOs helped construct a best practice rehoming pathway, identified how overall standards could be improved and recommendations to enhance dog welfare. The DWOs perceived an increased numbers of households acquiring dogs, difficulties in rehoming, and financial challenges as threatening their viability as organisations and Irish dog welfare. Greater enforcement of legislation, greater communication between organisations and the government, and more media awareness were seen as helpful by the DWOs to improve dog welfare standards and their organisations.

SUBMITTER: Murphy B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9739681 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations.

Murphy Blain B McKernan Claire C Lawler Catherine C Reilly Patrica P Messam Locksley L McV LLM Collins Daniel D Murray Sean M SM Doyle Rob R Meunier Natascha N Maguire Aiden A More Simon J SJ

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI 20221125 23

This novel qualitative study identifies challenges and opportunities to improve dog welfare in Ireland, as perceived by dog welfare organisations (DWOs), a previously underutilised stakeholder. This study sought the views of this predominantly voluntary sector of the next steps for policy and action in dog welfare, in light of the effects of the "puppy pandemic", increased costs and COVID-19 restrictions. An integrated online focus group and interview design involving DWOs was analysed using ind ...[more]

PMID: 36496810

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Project description:BackgroundThis novel study forms part of a larger research programme seeking an improved understanding of aspects of the owned dog population in Ireland. Dog welfare organisations (DWOs) in Ireland are recognised as an instrumental pillar of the animal welfare sector with some receiving substantial public funding. We conducted a survey of DWOs in Ireland (n = 39) to gain a better understanding of their role and function, including their policies and procedures and the rehoming of dogs to other regions. In addition, we wanted to get a better understanding of the challenges experienced by DWOs in fulfilling their role and their perspectives on potential solutions to these challenges. The survey questions consisted of closed and open-ended items. Closed items were analysed quantitively; open-ended items were analysed thematically.ResultsMost DWOs (> 80%) had written protocols for important welfare actions including rehoming procedures, assessment of owner suitability and euthanasia. DWOs sent dogs to Northern Ireland (13%), Great Britain (38.5%) and to other countries outside the United Kingdom (36%, including Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Czechia). Reported challenges included a general lack of funding, limited public awareness of the importance of dog welfare and insufficient capacity to handle dog numbers. To address these challenges, the DWOs highlighted the potential contribution of subsidised programmes and access to resources to educate potential owners. In a further qualitative evaluation to capture perceptions of appropriate solutions by DWOs, several themes emerged, relating to legislation, education, an overwhelmed workforce, and funding.ConclusionsThis study provides important insights into the roles and functions of DWOs and challenges they experience in Ireland. It is hoped that the findings from this research will inform future research investigating potential solutions to these challenges as well as the development of policy in Ireland.

Project description:BackgroundIn 2015, the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) of Bangladesh accredited model pharmacies (MPs) to enhance the quality of pharmacy services across the country. We examined the challenges and opportunities for pharmacists in MPs, and also explored the perspectives of the pharmacy stakeholders for improving good pharmacy practices (GPPs) in Bangladesh.MethodsIn-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with graduate pharmacists (Grade A) and diploma pharmacists (Grade B) recruited from a few selected MPs that were included in a previous study. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with the government and non-government stakeholders who were involved in pharmacy regulations and practices. Trained qualitative researchers conducted IDIs and KIIs using interview topic guides under relevant themes developed by the study investigators.ResultsBetween February and March 2021, nine Grade A and six Grade B pharmacists and nine government and non-government stakeholders were interviewed. The key challenges, as well as demotivational factors, for Grade A pharmacists were reported to be multiple responsibilities, inadequate salary, poor social status, an unfavorable working environment, long working hours, a lack of recognition, and low respect for their profession. However, Grade B pharmacists expressed job satisfaction, primarily due to working opportunities in reputable pharmacies and learning opportunities. The stakeholders reported a high operation cost of the MPs, a shortage of trained pharmacists, poor salary structures, and a lack of public awareness about the critical roles of the pharmacists in healthcare to be challenges of retaining Grade A pharmacists at the MPs. Addressing the challenges of the pharmacists and revising compensation packages along with strengthening monitoring systems would be important for improving GPPs at the MPs.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that specifying the roles of the pharmacists, offering competitive packages, conducive working hours, and professional recognition would be imperative for the retention of trained pharmacists at MPs. Implementing regulatory standards and monitoring performance would enhance good pharmacy practices in Bangladesh.

Dataset Information

A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations.

Publications

A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations.

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