VA Tech and Roanoke Valley SPCA Partner to to Improve Animals’ Well-being / Adoption Success

A novel partnership between the Roanoke Valley SPCA and Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences aims to improve shelter animals’ well-being and adoption success while providing hands-on learning and research opportunities for faculty and students.

The collaboration will be led by Megan Arant , a new School of Animal Sciences faculty member, who will split her time between the Roanoke Valley SPCA and Virginia Tech. Arant, an expert in animal behavior and welfare, will work with shelter pets on positive behavioral interventions and lead classes and student research activities focused on improving shelter animal behavior and welfare.

“Animal shelters nationwide are currently overflowing, and our communities aren’t immune to the increasing demand,” said Roanoke Valley SPCA Chief Executive Officer Denise Hayes. “Too often, pets are surrendered or experience a delayed adoption due to fixable behavioral challenges. Not addressing those challenges often results in a prolonged shelter stay, which can worsen anxiety and resulting behaviors. We are thrilled to partner with Virginia Tech to break this cycle, improving the well-being of our local pets, sharing findings with peers, and establishing cutting-edge best practices to improve shelter animal well-being across the country.”

As many as half of all animals in shelters are surrendered for behavioral reasons – the majority of which can be solved through simple training techniques. In her role as behavioral support services director at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Arant will incorporate a “fear-free” approach that helps pets work through behavior difficulties in a positive manner, making them more adoptable. She will also oversee, develop, and implement behavior programs, services, and guidelines for the shelter.

In her dual role as companion animal project and research coordinator at Virginia Tech, Arant will teach and mentor students in both the shelter and the classroom.

“I’m excited to help bridge the gap between classroom and experiential learning,” Arant said. “Students will learn critical handling and behavioral skills and the shelter animals will benefit greatly from these interactions.”

More than 6 million animals enter U.S. shelters every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The School of Animal Sciences has several ongoing shelter-based research projects intended to make animals’ stays more enjoyable, including studying the effects of sound-masking and the use of automated feeders to reduce noise levels and stress in dog kennels. Previous efforts have shown the benefits of temporary fostering , “field trips,” and co-housing on shelter dogs.

“This partnership gives our students the opportunity they have been craving to work hands-on with companion animals in a meaningful way that enhances student learning and animal welfare,” said Erica Feuerbacher , associate professor of applied animal behavior and welfare in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences . “Partnering with the Roanoke Valley SPCA, we will be able to conduct and share research that can be applied broadly to improve the well-being and adoption outcomes of shelter animals everywhere.”

Yasmeen Gomez ’24, a master’s student studying applied animal behavior, said she looks forward to participating in research that has the potential to make life better for animals in shelters nationwide.

“Animals in general provide such a benefit to us as humans – service, companionship, emotional support,” she said. “It’s our duty to provide it back to them where we can.”

For more information about the Roanoke Valley SPCA, please contact Julie Rickmond, director of marketing and communications, at 540-339-9513 or jrickmond@rvspca.org .

For more information about Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences, contact Tom Soladay, director of communications in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at tsoladay@vt.edu .

Written by Marya Barlow and Julie Rickmond

Source