Meeting both the physical and psychological needs of dogs living in animal shelters is a challenging proposition. Negative environmental inputs, such as excessive noise, restrictive kenneling, and social isolation, contribute to compromised canine welfare. Human-animal interaction, such as a temporary stay in a caregiver’s home, has been shown to reduce dogs’ cortisol levels and increase their rest. What is not well understood, though, is if longer durations of foster care could extend those benefits. In addition, co-housing in the animal shelter has been even less explored scientifically, but previous studies suggest that dogs’ behavior can be improved through living with another dog.
We hope you join us for this month’s Maddie’s® Insights, Implications of weeklong fostering and co-housing on shelter dog welfare on May 14, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM (PT)/ 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (ET). Dr. Lisa Gunter will present her research findings from a recently published study about weeklong fostering and co-housing.
In this webcast, we will:
• Discuss previous research about field trips and sleepovers
• Describe new findings about weeklong fostering and co-housing
• Differentiate how to utilize field trips, sleepovers, and weeklong fostering to positively impact dogs’ proximate and distal welfare
• Recognize utility of co-housing on entry into the animal shelter
Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval for on-demand viewers. We will post the recording on Maddie’s® University a day or so after the live webcast.