Epidemiological surveillance of cases originated from animal-vehicles collisions, animal abuse or abandonment at the Unesp Botucatu Veterinary Hospital

• Grant number: 24/05215-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Vânia Maria de Vasconcelos Machado
• Grantee: Gusthavo João Terra Monti Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The process of domestication has brought small-sized animals and humans closer together, providing several benefits for both sides. However, the presence of this bond in society's mind leads to many risky situations to these pets, in case they are in the hands of an irresponsible owner.Pets may be endangered directly by their owner via animal abuse (both physical and psychological alike). They may also be endangered by unsupervised exits from home, which, when combined with a high rate of pet abandonment, generates a higher density of domestic small animals in urban areas, increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles.This study projects a review of cases fitting on the animal abuse, abandonment or animal-vehicle collisions spectrum, of animals that come from public services or non-governmental animal protection institutions, within the time period of August 2023 to August 2024, representing a full year.The aim of the project is to establish possible correlations between complaints, conditions and profiles between different individuals. We hope that the project's results enable both the hospital and the public services to have an informed decision making process when discussing actions and future plans, before society, within our relationship with domestic animals.