This readme.txt file was generated on 20250602 by Rachael Schulte and edited by data curator 20250617-20250702 Recommended citation for the data: Schulte, R., Arcega Castillo, G., & Wilkins, M. J. (2025). Supporting Data for Attitudes of pet owners in coastal Oaxaca, Mexico, towards pet ownership and access to care. [Data set]. Data Repository for the University of Minnesota (DRUM). https://doi.org/10.13020/6HYG-AS52 ------------------- GENERAL INFORMATION ------------------- 1. Title of Dataset: Supporting Data for Attitudes of pet owners in coastal Oaxaca, Mexico, towards pet ownership and access to care. 2. Author Information Principal Investigator Contact Information Name: Melinda J Wilkins Institution: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Population Medicine Address: Room 225 VetMedCtrN 1365 Gortner Ave St Paul MN 55108 Email: wilki510@umn.edu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4701-734Xx Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information Name: Rachael Schulte Institution: University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety Address: Room 136 1354 Eckles Ave Saint Paul, MN 55108 Email: schu4994@umn.edu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5904-2959 Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information Name: Guillermo Arcega Castillo Institution: University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety Address: Room 136 1354 Eckles Ave Saint Paul, MN 55108 Email: arceg001@umn.edu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2934-1239 3. Date published or finalized for release: 20250610 4. Date of data collection: 20250102 to 20250115 5. Geographic location of data collection: Oaxaca, Mexico 6. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: There was no external funding for this study. 7. Overview of the data (abstract): Free-roaming dogs pose risks to human, animal, and environmental health, through zoonotic disease transmission, contribution to parasite life cycles, and predation on vulnerable species. Sterilization campaigns are a common method to reduce the free-roaming dog population. A questionnaire was developed to assess the attitudes and practices of dog owners in coastal Oaxaca regarding pet ownership and access to veterinary care. The primary reasons for owning dogs were companionship and protection, and the most common barriers to care reported were cost and access. The professionalism, knowledge, and communication of veterinarians was rated highly, suggesting veterinarians are a trusted source of information and should play an important role in education efforts around zoonotic diseases and animal care, including population management. Short-term sterilization campaigns are effective at reducing free-roaming dog populations and have demonstrated benefits to local wildlife species through reducing predation. These campaigns, however, do not create sustainable change; building local veterinary surgical capacity is an important need in rural Oaxaca. -------------------------- SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION -------------------------- 1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: CC0 1.0 Universal http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ 2. Links to publications that cite or use the data: Schulte, R., Arcega Castillo, G., Wilkins, M.J. (2025). Attitudes of pet owners in coastal Oaxaca, Mexico, towards pet ownership and access to care. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. 3. Was data derived from another source? No 4. Terms of Use: Data Repository for the U of Minnesota (DRUM) By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. https://conservancy.umn.edu/pages/policies/#drum-terms-of-use --------------------- DATA & FILE OVERVIEW --------------------- 1. File List A. Filename: Oaxaca_survey_data_deidentified.csv Short description: .csv file of survey responses obtained in Oaxaca, Mexico. All identifying information has been removed. B. Filename: Oaxaca_CNA_SurveyInstrument_Spanish.pdf Short description: Questionnaire administered in Spanish in rural Oaxaca on community attitudes towards pet ownership and access to veterinary care 2. Relationship between files: Survey and responses to survey -------------------------- METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION -------------------------- 1. Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: Questionnaires were administered in Spanish to community members participating in free dog and cat sterilization campaigns 2. Methods for processing the data: Data were cleaned in Excel and frequency and chi-square calculations were performed in SPSS 3. Instrument- or software-specific information needed to interpret the data: N/A 4. Standards and calibration information, if appropriate: N/A 5. Environmental/experimental conditions: N/A 6. Describe any quality-assurance procedures performed on the data: N/A 7. People involved with sample collection, processing, analysis and/or submission: Rachael Schulte, Guillermo Arcega Castillo, Melinda J. Wilkins ------------------------------------------------------------------- DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Oaxaca_survey_data_deidentified.csv ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Number of variables: 83 2. Number of cases/rows: 95 3. Missing data codes: Blank cell Missing data/data not provided . Missing data/data not provided 4. Variable List A. Name: Agegroup Description: Age of participant by age group B. Name: City Description: City participant resides in C. Name: Urban_rural Description: Environment participant lives in Multiple choice: "I live in an urban environment (in a town with 2,500 people or more)", "I live in a rural environment (in a town of less than 2,500 people)" D. Name: Rent_Own Description: Does the participant rent or own their residence Multiple choice: "I rent my residence", "I own my own home", "Other" E. Name: Rent_Own_describe Description: Option to provide detail on D answer "other" F. Name: Under5_Over65 Description: Is anyone in the home under 5 or over 65 years old Multiple choice: "Yes", "No", "I don't know" G. Name: Education Description: How much education has the participation completed Multiple choice: "Did not finish primary school (<6yr)", "Completed primary and secondary school (6-9 yr)", "Completed preparatory school or technical education (12 yr)", "Completed a university degree (e.g. licenciatura)", "Completed postgraduate education (e.g. master's, doctorate)" H. Name: Stray_dogs_care Description: Do you provide care to dogs you don't own Multiple select: "I do not take care of street or free-roaming dogs", "I feed them", "I let them into an outbuilding like a shed", "I let them in the house", "I provide basic medical care (vaccinations, s/n, deworming, basic wound care)", "I provide advanced medical care (sick visits to the vet)" I. Name: Animal_presented_to_campaign Description: Is the animal brought in to the campaign owned or a stray Multiple choice: "Owned (lives in your/your neighbor's place of residence or yard", "A stray animal", "I did not bring an animal in today", "Other" J. Name: Animal_presented_to_campaign_describe Description: Option to provide detail on I answer "Other" K. Name: If_no_campaign_sterilization Description: If the campaign was not offered, would participant have their pet sterilized Multiple choice: "Yes", "Maybe", "No" L. Name: What_animals_do_you_own Description: What types of animals does the participant own Multiple select: "Dog(s)", "Cat(s)", "Chicken(s)", "Livestock (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs)", "Other", "I don't own any animals" M. Name: How_many_dogs_owned Description: How many dogs does the participant own N. Name: How_many_cats_owned Description: How many cats does the participant own O. Name: How_many_chickens_owned Description: How many chickens does the participant own P. Name: How_many_livestock_owned Description: How many livestock does the participant own Q. Name: How_many_other_animals_owned Description: How many other animals does the participant own R. Name: Acquired_dogs_cats Description: How did the participant acquire their dogs and cats Multiple select: "I bought them from a breeder or store", "I adopted them from a shelter", "They were given to me as a gift", "I found them", "They were born in my house", "Other" S. Name: Acquired_dogs_cats_describe Description: Option to provide detail on R answer "other" T. Name: Bite_history Description: Have the participants dogs or cats bitten a person hard enough to draw blood due to aggression or fear in the past 2 years Multiple choice: "Yes", "No", "I don't know" U. Name: Dogs_in_house Description: Does the participant allow dogs in their house Multiple choice: "Always", "Sometimes", "Never", "Only some are allowed in the house" V. Name: Dogs_outdoors Description: When the dogs are outside, how are they housed/contained Multiple select: "Always walked on a leash", "Loose in a fenced yard", "Tied or chained outdoors", "In a kennel", "Allowed to roam freely throughout the day", "Allowed to roam freely day and night", "Other" W. Name: Dogs_outdoors_describe Description: Option to provide detail on V answer "other" X. Name: Purebred_mixed Description: Does the participant own purebred or mixed breed dogs Multiple choice: "Purebred", "Mixed breed", "I own both purebred and mixed breed dogs", "I don't know" Y. Name: Why_own_dogs_protection Description: Rate reason to own dogs from least to most important: protection Multiple choice:"Most important", "Moderately important", "Somewhat important", "Least important" Z. Name: Why_own_dogs_vermin_control Description: Rate reason to own dogs from least to most important: vermin control (i.e. raccoons) Multiple choice: "Most important", "Moderately important", "Somewhat important", "Least important" AA. Name: Why_own_dogs_companion Description: Rate reason to own dogs from least to most important: companionship Multiple choice: "Most important", "Moderately important", "Somewhat important", "Least important" AB. Name: Why_own_dogs_other Description: Rate reason to own dogs from least to most important: other Multiple choice: "Most important", "Moderately important", "Somewhat important", "Least important" AC. Name: Why_own_dogs_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AB AD. Name: Animal_interactions Description: What animals that the participant doesn't own has the participant noticed their dogs interacting with Multiple select: "My dogs interact with my neighbor's animals", "My dogs interact with stray dogs", "My dogs interact with feral cats", "My dogs interact with wildlife (raccoons, rodents, turtles, etc)", "My dogs interact with other animals", "I don't know" AE. Name: Animal_interactions_wildlife Description: Describe wildlife their dog interacts with AF. Name: Animal_interactions_other Description: Describe other animals their dog interacts with AG. Name: Vaccination_status Description: Are the participants dogs vaccinated Multiple choice: "All my dogs are vaccinated", "Only some of my dogs are vaccinated", "None of my dogs are vaccinated", "I don't know" AH. Name: Why_not_all_vaccinated Description: If not all dogs are vaccinated, why Multiple select: "I can't afford to vaccinate all my dogs", "Some/all of my dogs aren't old enough for vaccination", "Some/all of my dogs aren't healthy enough to be vaccinated", "I don't have access to vaccination services", "I don't think vaccination is necessary for all my dogs", "Other" AI. Name: Why_not_all_vaccinated_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AH answer "other" AJ. Name: What_vaccines Description: What vaccines were given to the participants dogs Multiple select: "Rabies", "Distemper/parvo", "Bordetella (kennel cough)", "Leptospirosis", "I don't know" AK. Name: Who_vaccinated Description: Who vaccinated the participants dogs Multiple select: "Government initiative", "Private veterinarian", "Someone in my family vaccinated them", "Other" AL. Name: Who_vaccinated_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AK answer "other" AM. Name: Sterilization_status Description: Are the participants dogs sterilized Multiple choice: "All my dogs are spayed/neutered", "Some of my dogs are spayed/neutered", "None of my dogs are spayed/neutered", "I don't know" AN. Name: Why_not_sterilized Description: If not all dogs are sterilized, why Multiple select: "I can't afford to spay/neuter all my dogs", "Some/all of my dogs aren't old enough for spay/neuter", "Some/all of my dogs aren't healthy enough", "I don't have access to spay/neuter services", "I don't think spay/neuter is necessary for all my dogs", "Other" AO. Name: Why_not_sterilized_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AN answer "other" AP. Name: Wait_for_litter Description: Does the participant believe a bitch (female dog) should have a litter before being spayed Multiple choice: "Yes, always", "Sometimes", "No, I don't believe it's necessary", "I don't know" AQ. Name: Who_sterilized Description: Who sterilized the participants dogs Multiple select: "A free spay/neuter campaign at a different time", "A private veterinarian", "I don't know", "I don't have any other dogs", "Other" AR. Name: Who_sterilized_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AQ answer "other" AS. Name: Sterilization_campaign_benefits Description: Does the participant believe sterilization campaigns provide a benefit to the community Multiple choice: "Yes, I believe they provide benefits", "No, I don't believe they provide any benefits", "I don't know" AT. Name: Flea_tick_preventive_status Description: Are the participants dogs given flea/tick preventives Multiple choice: "I give it every month", "I give it every 3-4 months", "I only give it seasonally", "I only give it when I notice fleas or ticks on my dogs or in my house", "I don't give these medications", "Other", "I don't know" AU. Name: Flea_tick_seasonal_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AT answer "I give flea and tick preventives seasonally" - what seasons do they give preventives AV. Name: Flea_tick_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AT answer "other" AW. Name: Why_not_flea_tick Description: If flea and tick preventives are not given, why Multiple select: "I can't afford it", "I don't have access to medications", "I don't think it's necessary", "Other" AX. Name: Why_not_flea_tick_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AW answer "other" AY. Name: Parasite_prevention_status Description: Does the participant give parasite preventives or anthelmintics to their dogs Multiple choice: "I give it every month", "I give it every 3-4 months", "I only give it seasonally", "I only give it when I notice worms on my dogs/feces", "I only give it when my dogs have diarrhea", "I don't give these medications", "Other", "I don't know" AZ. Name: Parasite_prevention_describe Description: Option to provide detail on AY answer "other" BA. Name: Why_not_parasite_prevention Description: If parasite preventives or anthelminitcs are not given, why Multiple select: "I can't afford it", "I don't have access to these medications", "I don't think it's necessary", "Other" BB. Name: Why_not_parasite_prevention_describe Description: Option to provide detail on BA answer "other" BC. Name: Feces_pickup Description: Does the participant pick up their dogs feces Multiple select: "Yes, when my dog defecates in my yard", "Yes, when my dog defecates in the park", "Yes, when my dog defecates in the street", "Yes, when my dog defecates in front of my shop", "I pick up all dog feces in front of my shop", "I never pick up my dog's feces", "Other" BD. Name: Feces_pickup_describe Description: Option to provide detail on BC answer "other" BE. Name: Handwashing Description: Does the participant wash their hands after touching their dog and before eating Multiple choice: "Yes, always", "Sometimes", "No, never" BF. Name: Medical_care_vet_granero Description: Does the participant seek medical care from a vet or a Granero (pet store) Multiple choice: "Private Veterinarian", "Granero", "Both", "Neither" BG. Name: Granero_products Description: What products are purchased from the Granero for a pet the participant owns Multiple select:"Yes, I had vaccinations given at the granare", "Yes, I purchased vaccines that I administered to my pets", "Yes, for flea/tick preventives", "Yes, for deworming medications", "Yes, for advice on mild illness (diarrhea, cough, etc)", "Other" BH. Name: Granero_vaccines_given Description: Option to provide detail on BG - what vaccines are purchased and given at the Granero (by employees) BI. Name: Granero_vaccines_at_home Description: Option to provide detail on BG - what vaccines are purchased to give at home BJ. Name: Granero_flea_tick Description: Option to provide detail on BG - what flea/tick products are purchased BK. Name: Granero_parasite_medications Description: Option to provide detail on BG - what parasite preventive/anthelmintics are purchased BL. Name: Granero_mild_illness Description: Option to provide detail on BG - what types of mild illness do the participants seek advice from the Granero for BM. Name: Granero_other Description: Option to provide detail on BG - other products purchased at the granero BN. Name: Veterinarian_products Description: What products/services are purchased from a private veterinarian for a pet the participant owns Multiple select: "Yes, for vaccinations", "Yes, for spay/neuter", "Yes, for deworming/preventives", "Yes, for mild illness (Outpatient care with medications)", "Yes, for trauma (hit-by-car, animal bite)", "Yes, for severe illness (Hospitalization)", "Other (please describe)" BO. Name: Veterinarian_vaccinations Description: Option to provide detail on BN - vaccines given by vet BP. Name: Veterinarian_sterilization Description: Option to provide detail on BN - vet provides sterilization BQ. Name: Veterinarian_preventives Description: Option to provide detail on BN - what preventives are purchased from the vet BR. Name: Veterinarian_mild_illness Description: Option to provide detail on BN - what mild illness do the participants seek advice from vets for BS. Name: Veterinarian_trauma Description: Option to provide detail on BN - what trauma did the participants seek advice from the vet for BT. Name: Veterinarian_severe_illness Description: Option to provide detail on BN - what severe illness did the participants seek advice from the vet for BU. Name: Veterinarian_other Description: Option to provide detail on BN - other services/products purchased from the vet BV. Name: Rate_veterinarian_skills Description: Rate veterinarian's skills in professionalism, knowledge, and communication Multiple select - this question shows up oddly due to the way it was formatted in Qualtrics. It's basically a multiple select with text entry, the actual answers to the question are in BW-BY BW. Name: Rate_veterinarian_professionalism Description: Rate professionalism of veterinarians in the community out of 10 BX. Name: Rate_veterinarian_knowledge Description: Rate knowledge of veterinarians in the community out of 10 BY. Name: Rate_veterinarian_communication Description: Rate communication of veterinarians in the community out of 10 BZ. Name: Willing_to_pay_vaccines Description: How much are participants willing to pay for vaccines per year per pet Multiple choice: "Less than $100 MXN", "$100 - $200 MXN", "$200 - $300 MXN", "More than $300 MXN", "I am not willing or able to pay for vaccinations" CA. Name: Willing_to_pay_preventives_deworming Description: How much are participants willing to pay for preventives and deworming per month per pet Multiple choice: "Less than $50 MXN", "$50 - $100 MXN", "$100 - $150 MXN", "More than $150 MXN", "I am not willing or able to pay for deworming medications" CB. Name: Willing_to_pay_sterilization Description: How much are participants willing to pay for sterilization per surgery Multiple choice: "Less than $500 MXN", "$500 - $1,000 MXN", "$1,000 - $1,500 MXN", "More than $1,500 MXN", "I am not willing or able to pay for these procedures" CC. Name: Willing_to_pay_emergency Description: How much are participants willing to pay for emergency care Multiple choice: "Less than $500 MXN", "$500 - $1,000 MXN", "$1,000 - $2,000 MXN", "More than $2,000 MXN", "I am not willing or able to pay for emergency care" CD. Name: At_home_veterinary_care Description: What veterinary care does the participant provide to their pets at home Multiple select: "Vaccinations", "Deworming", "Basic wound care", "None", "Other" CE. Name: At_home_veterinary_care_describe Description: Option to provide more information on CD answer "Other"