Assessment of the welfare of breeding and boarding dog farms in the greater Cairo region: application of the Farm Quality Protocol (FQP).

Abstract

Millions of dogs are housed in facilities for industrial breeding and kennels worldwide. The care given to dogs in these facilities differs. The dog farm's cramped conditions can have a negative influence on welfare. Therefore, monitoring and evaluation are crucial parts of the welfare protocol. There are currently no studies examining the welfare of dog farms (enclosed farms). The objective of this research was to assess an analytical description of dog farms and identify any potential risks to the welfare of these facilities. This was accomplished by using the Farm Quality Protocol (FQP), which is based on the Shelter Quality Protocol (SQP), to connect the elements influencing profits and outcomes by including 2,667 dogs in 20 dog farms of 22 different breeds, management systems, and facilities located in Greater Cairo (three cities in Egypt). There were descriptive and logistic regression analyses done. Key findings indicated that the score for body condition (BCS) was substantially connected with the type of diet as well as exercise. It has been demonstrated that the type of floor and its suitability affect the likelihood of discovering skin lesions. Clean bedding materials were substantially associated with a lower likelihood of seeing filthy or wet dogs. The abnormal behaviours, such as anxiety, were shown to be much higher when there was no enrichment in the facilities. In addition, the feeding schedule was linked to the presence of diarrhea. The shelter protocol was successful in recognizing welfare risks related to farm management and the environment. When these dangers are identified, there is a chance for improvement to be made, reducing the risks and enhancing the welfare of dog farms.