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In many countries, urban areas are commonly contaminated with canine feces that spread parasites, a situation related to the natural and social environment. Dogs having free access to public areas therefore constitutes a health risk. Because in Patagonia there are no records of city comparisons that consider the number of free-roaming dogs and the local environmental and socioeconomic characteristics, in this study we analyse and compare canine parasitoses in two cities of Rio Negro province, Argentina. Canine feces were collected from public areas of El Bolsón and Cipolletti cities and examined using enrichment methods, Kinyoun stain and immunoassay (Copro-Elisa). The total percentage of positive feces in El Bolsón was 68.95% and 16 parasite taxa being identified, whereas in Cipolletti the total positive feces was 41.1%, with 11 taxa. Both cities presented more helminth species than protozoans. The variables that explained the occurrence of all parasites were rainfall and socioeconomic stratum with the highest values being found in low-income areas.Soil moisture is conditioned by rainfall. This study highlights the presence of the zoonotic Echinococcus sp. in dogs in urban areas of the Rio Negro province. The occurrence of this parasite in Cipolletti is unexpected, given that this city is not considered an endemic zone for this disease, which is not included in local monitoring and control plans.

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Free-roaming dogs are an important concern for public health, livestock production and the environment. Human behaviors-such as allowing pets to roam, abandoning dogs, or feeding stray animals-could influence free-roaming dog abundance and the frequency of occurrence of dog-caused problems. Here we aim to determine patterns of free-roaming dog abundance in urban and rural areas, to reveal spatial variation in human behaviors underlying the free-roaming dog problem, and to test for associations between free-roaming dog abundance and related problems. We conducted our study in Chile, where dogs are a major environmental issue. In Chile, as in many other Global South countries, many people leave their dogs to roam, partly due to norms and to lax enforcement of dog control laws. To address our objectives, we counted dogs in 213 transects in urban and rural areas to model dog abundance using N-mixture models. Then we conducted interviews in 553 properties around the transects to determine people's dog management, their behavior towards free-roaming dogs and the prevalence of dog-caused problems. Dog abundance was higher in transects where a higher number of owned dogs was allowed to roam, as well as in lower-income neighborhoods (based on property tax valuation). Meanwhile, rural citizens were more likely to let their dogs' roam. Dog abandonment was reported more frequently in lower-income urban neighborhoods and rural areas. Not surprisingly, we found that several problems-such as dog bites-were more frequent where we detected more free-roaming dogs. Our results highlight that the owned dog population is a central component of the free-roaming dog problem, and that human behavior is the key driver underlying the problem. Dog management programs should promote responsible dog-ownership, with a strong message focused on keeping dogs inside properties and preventing abandonment.

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Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are one of the most common pets around the world but ownership patterns and human-dog interactions have been changing, particularly in developing nations. We conducted household surveys in Costa Rica to characterize dog ownership, the owned dog population, where dogs were confined at night and in the morning, and behaviors regarding selected dog care issues. We also compared these results to similar questionnaires used in Costa Rica over the past 20 years. We found 76% of households in Costa Rica owned at least one dog and on average there were about 1.4 dogs owned per household. These dog ownership rates are higher than previous estimates. The probability of owning a dog was highest on farms and lowest in single family dwellings without a yard, higher among respondents that owned their homes and decreasing with increasing human population density The total number of owned dogs in Costa Rica was estimated to be 2,222,032 (95% confidence intervals: 1,981,497-2,503,751). The sterilization rate for homed dogs in 2020 was approximately 62% (females: 67%, males: 61%) which is higher than the 18% of owned dogs that were sterilized in a 2003 survey. Overall, only 1.2% (95% CI: 0.3-2.5%) of owned dogs slept on the street with a slightly higher proportion on the street at 8 am. The number of owned dogs roaming the streets at night nation-wide was estimated to be 27,208 (95% CI: 7,557-56,619) compared to 43,142 (95% CI: 20,118-73,618) on the street at 8 am. The number of unowned free-roaming dogs in Costa Rica has never been estimated but we can generate some idea of the size of the unowned dog population by determining the proportion of free-roaming dogs on the street wearing collars. There was a negative relationship between human population density and owned dogs being on the street meaning fewer dogs roam the streets in highly populated areas compared to less populated areas. Overall, we identify trends against which future progress can be measured and provide information that are critical in designing effective humane dog management programs in Costa Rica in the future.

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During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there were several reports of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from human to animals, mostly to companion cats and dogs but also to free ranging wild species like minks and deers. Under this scenario, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in domestic animals to assess the risk of transmission between species have been suggested by the OIE. Here we present a case report of SARS-CoV-2 infection in free roaming dogs, found at a rural indigenous community from the Ecuadorian Amazonia. Oral and nasal swabs samples were collected from three dogs found during a COVID-19 surveillance intervention in Amazonian indigenous communities where severe COVID-19 outbreaks were suspected. Total RNA was extracted from dog samples and detection of SARS-CoV-2 gene targets N, ORF1ab and S was performed. The three dogs tested positive for at least two SARS-CoV-2 viral targets. Moreover, there was a high SARS-CoV-2 infection rate of 87.2% within this community. Given that 17.1% of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals had an ultra high load greater than 108 copies/ml, transmission from humans to dogs likely occurred. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 positive free roaming dogs. Also, as those animals were found in the Amazonian forest, SARS-CoV-2 transmission to wild mammals is a potential concern. Given the high presence of free roaming dogs associated to rural and indigenous communities in South America, the potential role of these domestic animals on COVID-19 spread would deserve further surveillance studies involving SARS-CoV-2 detection by PCR and molecular epidemiology based on genome sequencing to confirm human to dog transmission.

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Free-roaming dogs are a worldwide problem, with Chile having some of the highest human-to-dog ratios in the world. In 2017, Law 21.020 was promulgated and the federal government developed a national responsible pet ownership program. The objectives of this article are to describe and discuss the dog-related components of the program, to design a tool for determining human-to-dog ratios in Chile, and to make recommendations to managers to improve the program outcomes. The overarching goal of the program was to mitigate the conflict between humans and dogs, but many of the interventions were animal-focused and the indicators did not consider the perception of the Chilean public. Using human density data and known dog populations, we found that as the human density increased, there were fewer dogs per person. Veterinary services and sterilizations were the mainstay of the program and were offered for free to citizens. Education was offered to all ages through public events, as well as municipality and organization activities. The identification of dogs was obligatory for dog owners. Enforcement was not included in the program. The recommendations are to conduct preintervention baseline data collections and to tailor interventions and indicators appropriately; to use dog population size estimates determined at the local level rather than a country-wide estimate; to replace free veterinary services with low-cost sterilization campaigns; to create sustainable plans for education; and to create enforcement teams in communities.

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In this article, we gathered information from postgraduate theses and scientific articles published in several databases using inclusion criteria that had been made in Latin America, in countries with similar economic conditions, and also in the USA to present a point of comparison. The objective of this review is to broaden the readers' understanding of the causes of the increasing numbers of stray dogs and the reasons why people abandon pets in the streets, specifically in Latin America. It also discusses adoption and responsible ownership, identifies what failed in promoting positive human-dog interaction, and suggests strategies to address this problem. It concludes that adoption alone is not an effective solution but that it is necessary to offer education and awareness programs for owners, organize sterilization campaigns, and develop and apply - with the corresponding authorities - measures to ensure animal welfare that will provide benefits for society and improve animal quality of life. The role of veterinarians is fundamental in education and in disseminating the necessary information to orient people before they acquire a pet and prevent animal abandonment to resolve this problem.

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Information concerning the factors affecting the circulation and distribution of free-roaming dogs is crucial in developing control actions and limiting the spread of zoonoses. The present study analyzes the influence of gender, sterilization, and environment on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in urban settings. Animals were captured/recaptured in seven consecutive morning sampling efforts conducted at 2-monthly intervals in control and intervention areas in a medium-size town in southeastern Brazil. Capture locations were georeferenced and captured animals were microchipped before being released at their original capture sites. Dogs captured in the intervention area were subjected additionally to surgical sterilization prior to release. Home range (HR) areas were calculated by applying the minimum convex polygon method to dogs that had been captured at least three times. Land coverage zones were determined from satellite images and overlaid on maps of the study areas along with the locations of 22 commercial food outlets. HR areas showed a global mean of 448 m2 and a median of 28 m2, values that were smaller than those reported previously for dogs in rural regions. The median HR of females (64.m2) was higher than that of males (15 m2), while median HRs of animals in the control and intervention areas were similar (27 and 28.5 m2, respectively). Variability of HR was high, although animals with small HRs predominated. Free-roaming dogs grouped primarily in urbanized and transitional regions, and their spatial distribution was positively correlated with locations of commercial food outlets. While sterilization did not influence HR size, the search for food was a key factor in determining mobility and spatial aggregation of free-roaming dogs. Our findings are pertinent in understanding the ecology of free-roaming dogs in urban environments and will be applicable to strategies aimed at promoting animal welfare and preventing the dissemination of zoonoses.

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BACKGROUND: Enumerating dog populations is essential to plan and evaluate rabies vaccination campaigns. To estimate vaccination coverage and dog population size in a Haitian commune, 15 sight-resight counts were conducted over two days following a government-sponsored vaccination campaign. METHODS: Dogs received temporary laminated collars and livestock wax marks on the head and sides at the time of rabies vaccination. After the vaccination campaign, pairs of surveyors walked pre-defined routes through targeted neighborhoods, photographing and recording characteristics and location of each dog seen on a standardized data sheet. On the second survey day, surveyors retraced the prior day's track, followed the same procedure, and indicated in addition whether they believed the dogs were resighted from the prior day. After completion of the field survey, two independent evaluators reviewed photographs and characteristics of each dog to assess which had vaccination marks and which were resighted. Surveyor and photo-reviewer sight-resight decisions were compared using Cohen's kappa, and population estimates were compared using Lincoln-Petersen 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Field-surveyors identified dogs consistent with the photograph evaluations in 629 out of 800 instances (78.6%, Cohen's kappa of 0.12). Despite this inconsistency, the population estimates resulting from the field and final determinations were not significantly different at 1,789 (95% CI 1,677 to 1,901) and 1,978 (95% CI 1,839 to 2,118). Vaccination coverage was also the same at 55% and 56%; however, an observed vaccination mark loss of 13.8% suggests that the true coverage may have been closer to 64%. CONCLUSION: Using photos improved dog identification during the sight-resight study, leading to a higher population estimate. Despite using a 2-mark system to temporarily identify vaccinated dogs, a significant proportion had lost all identifying marks by the second day of field surveys. Efforts to estimate vaccination coverage using sight-resight surveys should consider improvement of marking techniques or better accounting for potential loss of marks in their free-roaming dog vaccination coverage assessments.

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This work proposes to use the photographic capture-recapture technique associated with the GPS positioning (Global Positioning System) to estimate the population and to evaluate the movement of free-roaming dogs in public spaces. An observer on a motorcycle traveled all the streets of Jardim Ipanema and part of Dona Amelia neighborhoods in Araçatuba, SP, totaling a 1.3 Km² area covered on two days, with a one-week interval between them. The free-roaming dogs were photographed and their geographical locations were determined using GPS, and this geographic record was then used to estimate the spatial and temporal distribution of free-roaming dogs in the neighborhood. A total of 77 dogs were found on the streets, 21 of which were photographed more than once (photo-recaptured). The number of free-roaming dogs was estimated from the capture rate using a linear regression model, revealing a population of 76 animals, corresponding to 7.5% of the canine population living in the neighborhood. The results indicated a higher concentration of free-roaming dogs in a certain neighborhood region that has unpaved streets and most houses had no walls. Furthermore, the highest number of dogs was observed early in the day (between 7 and 9 a.m.) and that, among the dogs observed moving through the neighborhood streets, the longest distance traveled was 520m. It is concluded that the proposed methodology is an efficient tool and can be used when planning public health activities.

Este trabalho propõe o emprego da técnica de captura-recaptura fotográfica associada ao registro de posicionamento geográfico obtido por GPS (Global Positioning System) para estimar a população e avaliar a movimentação de cães encontrados soltos em espaços públicos. Utilizando-se uma motocicleta e um observador, todas as ruas do bairro Jardim Ipanema e parte do Bairro Dona Amélia, de Araçatuba-SP, com área total de 1,3 Km², foram percorridas durante dois dias, com uma semana de intervalo entre eles. Os cães encontrados soltos foram fotografados e suas localizações geográficas foram determinadas por meio de GPS. Com este registro geográficos foi possível estimar a concentração espacial e temporal dos mesmos nas ruas do bairro. Foram observados 77 cães soltos nas ruas, sendo que 21 destes foram fotografados mais de uma vez (foto-recapturados). A estimativa do número de cães soltos, realizada a partir da taxa de captura, por meio de um modelo linear de regressão, revelou uma população de 76 animais, correspondendo a 7,5% da população canina domiciliada do bairro. A metodologia permitiu observar que houve maior concentração de cães sem supervisão encontrados nas ruas em determinada região do bairro, onde as ruas eram não pavimentadas e a maioria das casas não possuía muros; que o maior número de cães foi observado nos horários do início do dia (7 a 9 horas) e que, dentre os cães que se deslocaram pelas ruas do bairro, a maior distância percorrida foi de 520m. A metodologia proposta é uma ferramenta eficiente e pode ser utilizada em planejamento de atividades de saúde pública.

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This work proposes to use the photographic capture-recapture technique associated with the GPS positioning (Global Positioning System) to estimate the population and to evaluate the movement of free-roaming dogs in public spaces. An observer on a motorcycle traveled all the streets of Jardim Ipanema and part of Dona Amelia neighborhoods in Araçatuba, SP, totaling a 1.3 Km² area covered on two days, with a one-week interval between them. The free-roaming dogs were photographed and their geographical locations were determined using GPS, and this geographic record was then used to estimate the spatial and temporal distribution of free-roaming dogs in the neighborhood. A total of 77 dogs were found on the streets, 21 of which were photographed more than once (photo-recaptured). The number of free-roaming dogs was estimated from the capture rate using a linear regression model, revealing a population of 76 animals, corresponding to 7.5% of the canine population living in the neighborhood. The results indicated a higher concentration of free-roaming dogs in a certain neighborhood region that has unpaved streets and most houses had no walls. Furthermore, the highest number of dogs was observed early in the day (between 7 and 9 a.m.) and that, among the dogs observed moving through the neighborhood streets, the longest distance traveled was 520m. It is concluded that the proposed methodology is an efficient tool and can be used when planning public health activities.(AU)

Este trabalho propõe o emprego da técnica de captura-recaptura fotográfica associada ao registro de posicionamento geográfico obtido por GPS (Global Positioning System) para estimar a população e avaliar a movimentação de cães encontrados soltos em espaços públicos. Utilizando-se uma motocicleta e um observador, todas as ruas do bairro Jardim Ipanema e parte do Bairro Dona Amélia, de Araçatuba-SP, com área total de 1,3 Km², foram percorridas durante dois dias, com uma semana de intervalo entre eles. Os cães encontrados soltos foram fotografados e suas localizações geográficas foram determinadas por meio de GPS. Com este registro geográficos foi possível estimar a concentração espacial e temporal dos mesmos nas ruas do bairro. Foram observados 77 cães soltos nas ruas, sendo que 21 destes foram fotografados mais de uma vez (foto-recapturados). A estimativa do número de cães soltos, realizada a partir da taxa de captura, por meio de um modelo linear de regressão, revelou uma população de 76 animais, correspondendo a 7,5% da população canina domiciliada do bairro. A metodologia permitiu observar que houve maior concentração de cães sem supervisão encontrados nas ruas em determinada região do bairro, onde as ruas eram não pavimentadas e a maioria das casas não possuía muros; que o maior número de cães foi observado nos horários do início do dia (7 a 9 horas) e que, dentre os cães que se deslocaram pelas ruas do bairro, a maior distância percorrida foi de 520m. A metodologia proposta é uma ferramenta eficiente e pode ser utilizada em planejamento de atividades de saúde pública.(AU)

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Free-roaming dogs are not only a public health and ethical problem, they are also an environmental and economic one. Although the general belief is that freeroaming dogs are not in good condition, there have been insufficient studies in Chile to address and analyse the issue. The objective of this research was to assess the welfare of free-roaming dogs in the centre of the cities of Santiago and Valparaíso. The evaluation was carried out using an observational method and assessed a total of 554 dogs. The following variables were analysed: body condition, motor impairment, skin condition, respiratory disease, reaction to humans and other variables. In addition, spatial distribution was considered, and age, sex and social behaviour were estimated. When the results were analysed in terms of frequency, it was found that, in Valparaíso (n = 204), 37% of the dogs assessed had compromised welfare (poor or fair), while 63% had positive welfare (good or optimal). In contrast, in Santiago (n = 350), only 21.7% had compromised welfare, while 78.3% had positive welfare. With respect to social behaviour, 55% of the dogs assessed in Valparaíso and 68% of those assessed in Santiago led a solitary lifestyle. Although most of the individuals were in good condition, a high percentage were unable to meet the requirements for them to live in harmony with their environment.

Les chiens de rue ou errants posent des problèmes non seulement de santé publique et d'éthique, mais aussi environnementaux et économiques. La condition générale de ces chiens est intuitivement perçue comme n'étant pas bonne mais au Chili le sujet n'a guère fait l'objet d'analyses approfondies. Les auteurs présentent les résultats d'une étude visant à évaluer le bien-être animal des chiens errants du centre-ville de Santiago et de Valparaíso. Cette évaluation a reposé sur l'observation de 554 chiens au total et sur l'analyse d'un certain nombre de variables dont la condition physique, les difficultés motrices, l'état de la peau et du pelage, la présence de maladies respiratoires et les réactions face à l'être humain. La distribution spatiale des chiens examinés a été consignée, ainsi que l'âge estimé, le sexe et le comportement social de chaque animal. Les résultats ont été analysés en termes de fréquence. À Valparaíso, les observations ont fait état d'un niveau de bien-être compromis (allant de mauvais à médiocre) chez 37 % des chiens (n = 204) et d'un pourcentage de 63 % de chiens présentant un niveau de bien-être satisfaisant (bon à optimal). En revanche, à Santiago (n = 350), 21 % seulement des chiens observés présentaient un état de bien-être compromis tandis que 78,3 % présentaient un état de bien-être satisfaisant. En ce qui concerne le comportement social, 55 % des chiens observés à Valparaíso et 68 % de ceux observés à Santiago avaient un mode de vie solitaire. Si la majorité des chiens se trouvaient en bon état physique, un pourcentage élevé d'entre eux ne parvenaient pas à satisfaire les besoins leur permettant de vivre en équilibre avec leur environnement.

Los perros callejeros constituyen no solo un problema de salud pública y ético, sino también, medioambiental y económico. Si bien se cree que estos perros no se encuentran en buenas condiciones, en Chile los estudios que abordan y analizan este tema son insuficientes. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el bienestar en perros callejeros en el centro de las ciudades de Santiago y Valparaíso. La evaluación se realizó a través de un método observacional en un total de 554 perros, y se analizaron las siguientes variables: condición corporal, dificultad motora, estado de la piel, enfermedad respiratoria, reacción hacia el humano y otras variables. Además, se consideró la distribución espacial y se estimó la edad, el sexo y la conducta social. Los resultados fueron analizados en términos de frecuencia, y se observó que en Valparaíso (n = 204), el 37% de los perros presentaba un bienestar comprometido (malo - escaso) mientras que el 63% presentaba un bienestar favorable (bueno u óptimo). En cambio, en Santiago (n = 350), sólo un 21,7% presentaba un estado de bienestar comprometido mientras que el 78,3% presentaba un estado de bienestar favorable. Asimismo, respecto a la conducta social, un 55% de los perros evaluados en Valparaíso y un 68% de los evaluados en Santiago mostraron un estilo de vida solitario. Si bien los individuos en su mayoría se encontraban en buenas condiciones, un alto porcentaje no lograba satisfacer las necesidades para estar en equilibrio con su entorno.

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Free-roaming dogs affected by visceral leishmaniasis (VL) contribute to the geographical expansion of the disease and require special attention from health authorities. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalences of VL in a population of free-roaming dogs in an endemic region of Brazil, to establish the spatial distribution of infected dogs, and to examine the effectiveness of euthanasia of infected dogs in controlling the disease in this particular population. Dogs were captured every two months during seven sampling efforts. Capture locations were georeferenced and captured dogs were assessed for the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening test and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as the confirmatory procedure. Dogs that were seropositive by both assays were considered infected and were submitted to immediate euthanasia. After the end of the collection period, stored sera were evaluated with the Dual-Path Platform test (DPP). Animals positive by this method and by ELISA were also considered infected as currently recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Spatial analysis was performed using the Kernel technique. A total of 328 dogs were captured at least once during the sampling period, 25 (7.6%) of them were seropositive by ELISA and IFAT and 27 (8.2%) by DPP and ELISA. The prevalence of VL showed an overall decreasing trend. However, even with periodical euthanasia, it was not possible to eliminate the infection and increased prevalences were observed in the fourth and seventh samplings. There was a high overall agreement between the two criteria for defining infection. None of the dogs that tested negative by IFAT at the first capture seroconverted in the subsequent captures but a number of dogs exhibited changes in serological status over time. From the three dogs initially tested negative by ELISA and IFAT, but tested positive by the protocol currently adopted in Brazil, two became negative in subsequent recaptures. Spatial analysis revealed that infected animals concentrated in areas with a high density of free-roaming dogs. The existence of VL among homeless dogs may contribute significantly in the persistence of the disease among the human population, despite the practice of periodical euthanasia. The operational and ethical implications associated with euthanasia of free-roaming dogs, and the failure to control the transmission of VL among this particular population, led us to conclude that interventions promoting responsible ownership of pets may be a more effective strategy.

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This article compares results from a study in 2014 with a similar study from 1998 (Fielding, 1999 ) to examine changes in the care of dogs in New Providence, The Bahamas. The results from a survey of 379 residents indicated a general lack of improvement in matters associated with the care of dogs during the past 16 years. For example, in 1998, it was estimated that 35% of caregivers had at least 1 dog sterilized, and in 2014, the corresponding figure was 37%. In 1998, 14% of households with dogs allowed their dogs to roam compared with 41.7% in 2014. These observations do not indicate inactivity on behalf of nonhuman animal welfare groups or archaic animal welfare legislation, as free spay/neuter campaigns have occurred and stricter laws have been passed since 1998. Rather, it is conjectured that these findings may reflect not only insufficiently sustained and coordinated initiatives in education, access to welfare interventions, and law enforcement, but also as-yet-unknown inadequacies in the approaches used in this cultural setting.

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Population management of free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) is of interest due to the threat these animals pose to people, other animals and the environment. Current sterilization procedures for male dogs include surgical and chemical methods. However, little is known about how these procedures affect their behavior. The primary objective of this study was to investigate changes in selected behaviors following chemical and surgical sterilization in a male free-roaming dog (FRD) population in southern Chile. We also examined the association between serum testosterone levels and behaviors thought to be influenced by circulating androgens. A total of 174 dogs were randomly assigned to either a surgical or chemical sterilization group, or a control group. At the onset of the intervention period, 119 dogs remained and 102 dogs successfully completed the study. Each dog was monitored pre- and post-intervention using video recordings, GPS collars, and blood samples for the measurement of testosterone. Analysis of behavior revealed that surgically castrated dogs showed no reduction of sexual activity or aggression when compared to their pre-intervention behavior. Chemically sterilized dogs showed a statistically significant increase in dog-directed aggression, but no change in sexual activity. There was no change in home range size in any groups between the pre- and post-intervention measurement. We found no consistent association between levels of serum testosterone concentration and behavioral changes in any of the groups. This study presents the first detailed behavioral observations following surgical and chemical sterilization in male FRDs. The information generated is highly relevant to communities struggling with the control of FRDs. Complementary studies to further our understanding of the effects of male sterilization on the behavioral and reproductive dynamics of FRD populations are needed.

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Following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Chile in February 2010, residents of Dichato reported high morbidity and mortality in dogs, descriptions of which resembled canine distemper virus (CDV). To assess the situation, free vaccine clinics were offered in April and May. Owner information, dog history and signalment were gathered; dogs received physical examinations and vaccines protecting against CDV, and other common canine pathogens. Blood was collected to screen for IgM antibodies to CDV. In total, 208 dogs received physical exams and vaccines were given to 177. IgM antibody titres to CDV were obtained for 104 dogs. Fifty-four dogs (51.9%) tested positive for CDV at the cut off titre of >1:50, but a total of 91.4% of dogs had a detectable titre >1:10. Most of the positive test results were in dogs less than 2 years of age; 33.5% had been previously vaccinated against CDV, and owners of 84 dogs (42.2%) reported clinical signs characteristic of CDV in their dogs following the disaster. The presence of endemic diseases in dog populations together with poor pre-disaster free-roaming dog management results in a potential for widespread negative effects following disasters. Creation of preparedness plans that include animal welfare, disease prevention and mitigation should be developed.

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Large-scale disasters have immeasurable effects on human and animal communities. Evaluating and reporting on the response successes and difficulties encountered serves to improve existing preparedness documents and provide support to those in the process of developing plans. Although the majority of disasters occur in low and middle income nations, less than 1% of the disaster literature originates from these countries. This report describes a response to a disease outbreak in domestic dogs in Dichato, Chile following the 2010 earthquake/tsunami. With no national plan coordinating the companion animal response, there was a chaotic approach among animal welfare organizations towards rescue, diagnosis, treatment and record-keeping. Similar to the medical response following the 1985 earthquake near Santiago, we experienced problems within our own teams in maintenance of data integrity and protocol compliance. Loss of infrastructure added complications with transportation, communications and acquisition of supplies. Similar challenges likely occur in most disasters, but can be reduced through pro-active planning at national and local levels. There is sufficient information to support the human and animal welfare benefits of including companion animals in national planning, and lessons learned through this and other experiences can assist planners in the development of comprehensive and locally relevant contingency plans.