Percepção de clientes que utilizam serviço de creches para cães da grande Belém

Abstract

Brazil is among the countries that have the largest number of pets, which are increasingly considered as members of the family. The concern of owners with the well-being of their animals directly influences the evolution of the pet market, in which Brazil stands out. After the Covid-19 pandemic and the return to in-person work, demand for dog daycare services increased as support for people who returned to their work routine. Despite the great success of daycare centers, there is still no specific national legislation to regulate the service, with the choice being left to the guardian. The present work aims to evaluate the criteria that are taken into consideration by the owner when choosing a daycare center, observing whether these criteria are in line with those that contribute to animal welfare. The research had a qualitative and quantitative approach, with data collected through a mixed-type online questionnaire for dog owners living in Greater Belém, consisting of twenty-three questions. The questions covered socio-demographic data, characteristics of the dog, aspects of the dog's well-being and behavior, characteristics of the service provided by the daycare center and the reasons for choosing the daycare center. 28 tutors participated in the research, who reported that space was the main aspect considered in the choice (20), followed by the proximity between the daycare center and the residence (15). Therefore, the infrastructure, appearance of the facilities and ease of access stood out as selection criteria. Service (13) and services offered (12) also stood out as criteria, but only 8 participants considered the training of monitors. Considering that many owners look for daycare centers to provide better health and well-being (23) and do not like to leave their pet alone (11), it would be appropriate for owners to also consider health requirements and the professional training of entertainers, who are the professionals that are in direct contact with animals. In general, the owners report that there has been an improvement in behavior and sociability, indicating that the daycare is a service that helps families in their routine and has great potential to improve the quality of life, canine behavior, and the relationship with the owners. Although this work has a local impact, it can serve as a model for new studies addressing the subject, bringing valuable information to companies and tutors who use the service.