Flawed temperament tests are killing dogs and cats



A pretty calico cat named Freya recently lost her life. Why? Because her council’s shelter uses inaccurate assessment methods.

Freya was a young, stray cat who was being fed by a family who loved her, and was socialised to people.

She was impounded by the council and, when scanned, no microchip was detected.

Unfortunately for Freya, the council’s shelter assesses cats as soon as they arrive. (They also use the dangerous ‘live or die’ temperament test for dogs, instead of continuous assessment).

They incorrectly classed her as ‘feral’ and she was killed soon after arriving. No chance to display her true personality. No chance of a loving home.

When the family found out, they were devastated. They knew how loving Freya was.



Sadly, what happened to Freya isn’t uncommon. Research has found that cats need at least 72 hours after intake before their true sociability can be assessed.



Burnt by this experience, the family made sure that her sister, Bree, had a different outcome. They asked a rescue group to save Bree from the council pound if they weren't going to include her in their adoption program.

Although Bree was initially more frightened than Freya, by Day 3 she was rolling on her back and seeking affection. Bree now has a bright future ahead of her.



How does your council’s pound or shelter assess dogs’ and cats’ personalities? Do they use the lethal and unreliable ‘assessment on intake’ for cats and ‘temperament test’ for dogs? Or are they using evidence-based methods?



Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand,

Executive Director & Chief Scientist

Australian Pet Welfare Foundation