Part of my holistic approach to healthy, humane animal shelter management includes implementation of innovative “enrichment” programs. Enrichment describes activities, protocols and amenities designed to enrich the shelter experience of rescued animals. The typical shelter experience for most animals is a traumatic and fearful ordeal. I contend every animal shelter can, and must, be committed to mitigating, if not eliminating, that distress.
One way to do that is to introduce the calming effects of music into our animal care centers. Sound is an important part of an animal’s surroundings. Sadly, most animal shelters are not built with that understanding. Concrete and block walls and cement floors echo the harsh sounds of frantic dogs barking and whining begging for attention; while other dogs fearfully huddle in the corners of their unfamiliar kennels awaiting an uncertain future.
Clinical studies have documented that specific music vibrations, sounds and tempos create a calming effect on pets. Certain musical compositions also help pets cope with common phobias such as thunderstorms, loud noises and other stressors, creating a harmonious and enriching environment that improves their health and behavior. These studies have demonstrated that the introduction of calming music in a shelter visually reduces the three key measures of discomfort: restlessness, anxiety and respiration rates.
One study explored the influence of five types of auditory stimulation (human conversation, classical music, heavy metal music, pop music, and a control) on the behavior of 50 dogs housed in an animal shelter. The dogs were exposed to each type of auditory stimulation for four hours, with an intervening period of one day between conditions. The dogs’ position in their kennels (front, back), their activity (moving, standing, sitting, resting, sleeping), and their vocalization (barking, quiet, other) were recorded over four hours at 10-minute intervals during each condition of auditory stimulation.
The study found the dogs’ activity and vocalization were significantly related to auditory stimulation. Dogs spent more time quietly resting and less time standing when classical music was played compared to the other stimuli. Heavy metal music encouraged dogs to spend significantly more time barking in an agitated state than the other stimuli. These studies suggest that the welfare of sheltered dogs can be enhanced through exposure to appropriate forms of auditory stimulation. Classical music appears particularly beneficial, resulting in activities suggestive of relaxation and behaviors considered desirable by potential adopters. This form of music may also appeal to visitors, resulting in enhanced perceptions of the shelter and an increased desire to adopt a dog.
With such programs, animal shelters are able to provide calming music designed to improve the quality of life for our rescued animals, both dogs and cats, during their shelter stays. Promoting relaxation through music will help all our animals cope with their stress and will create a more inviting atmosphere for adopters.
If you would like to help your local animal shelter with such life-saving projects, please consider a donation to assist with the purchase and installation of the required equipment. Enriching the lives our shelter animals provides for their health, welfare and ultimate placement in a loving home.