Pitt School of Social Work Research Associate Professor Mary Rauktis along with Arnold Arluke, Professor Emeritus, Sociology, Northeastern University have been awarded a grant from the APCA to explore pet ownership in lower income communities. This is the first time the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has funded research at the University of Pittsburgh.
The field of anthrozoology is new to the academic disciplines and novel in social work. However, basic questions about the importance of nonhuman animals in human society are very relevant to social work theory and practice.
When people think about how dogs are acquired in low-income communities, they usually draw on the larger societal stereotypes of how poor people make decisions in general that picture them to be impulsive or irresponsible. However, both Arluke and Rauktis in their separate studies have not found this to be the case: in fact, low-income owners care deeply and make sacrifices to keep their pets.
The study is funded for two years and explores what external factors influence the decision to acquire a dog, will examine intersections between race and culture and age, breeds of dog. Interviews will be conducted and ultimately this information will help shelters, veterinary social workers, outreach workers and veterinarians to better reach and assist families with dogs and other pets remain in the home. Both Arluke and Rauktis have found that having low-cost services available does not mean that they are utilized.
Or by reading their papers on food insecurity and animals in the home:
A small number of middle to high income individuals will be interviewed. If you have adopted or purchased a dog from a breeder in the past 12 months, please contact mar104@pitt.edu