Why DNA testing is important for shelters

Every shelter is aware that a cat is a “person” with distinct traits, not just a fluffy ball. Frequently, no information about an animal's age, breed, health, or genetic concerns is known when it arrives at a shelter. This leads to a number of issues, including making it more difficult for a veterinarian to plan treatment and preventive care, for a prospective owner to choose a pet based on needs and character, and for a shelter to evaluate the risks of rehoming or grouping animals.

Within a few days, shelters may have precise information about a cat's origin and health thanks to DNA testing. This instrument is becoming particularly important in Portugal, where there is a rising interest in providing high-quality animal care and protecting their rights. It may be used to establish electronic animal registries, detect genetic predispositions to illnesses, and define the breed. This facilitates cats' adjustment and avoids misunderstandings when transferring them to new owners.

How it really works

When a new cat comes to a shelter, employees are faced with a lot of questions: age, pedigree, health, and character. DNA testing helps answer many of them quickly. Usually, a scraping from the oral cavity or hair with roots is taken, after which the sample is sent to the lab. A few days later, the shelter receives a detailed report indicating the breed, possible hybrids and genetic risks.

At this stage, the cat breed test becomes a key tool: employees see what they are dealing with and can make further plans for care and socialization. In addition, genetic information helps shelters create unique “genetic passports” for each cat. This not only facilitates adoption but also serves as a protection for animals: in case of loss or theft, it is easy to prove the authenticity of the pet.

Case studies: the experience of Portuguese shelters

In Lisbon, one of the large shelters introduced DNA tests for cats in 2023. The results exceeded expectations: about 20% of cats turned out to be hybrids of rare breeds, which were previously considered ordinary mongrels. The detection of genetic diseases made it possible to carry out preventive measures in time and save several animals. The database accelerated the adoption process: potential owners saw the exact genetic profile of the cat, which helped to select a pet according to character and needs.

In Porto, where shelters are faced with a high density of street cats, DNA testing has become a tool for “genetic control”: populations with certain risks are identified, and vaccination and sterilization plans are created.

Barriers and limitations

Of course, there are difficulties. The majority of shelters have tight finances, and DNA testing is expensive. Some employees have doubts regarding the invention since they think that the cat's behavior and visual inspection are sufficient sources of information. But practice shows that a combined approach – a veterinary examination plus genetic analysis – significantly increases the efficiency of the shelter. As the popularity of the cat breed test grows, prices are gradually decreasing, and the availability of laboratories is growing.

How to integrate DNA testing into shelter operations

Shelters that want to start working with genetic testing can follow a simple process. First, they train their staff: how to take a sample, what tests exist, how to interpret the results. Then they create a database: for each cat, a genetic profile, medical history, and photos are recorded. Then they integrate the data with the adoption program to match a pet with a specific person and increase the chances of a successful adoption. In Portugal, there are already initiatives for shelters to work together to share knowledge and data, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Final say

DNA testing for animals, especially cat breed testing, is not just a trendy technology. For shelters in Portugal, it is a tool that allows them to improve the care of animals, protect them from genetic and medical risks, and increase transparency. Using DNA testing transforms shelter operations from standard animal care to a science-based, personalized, and more effective practice. And most importantly, these are real saved lives and happy families for cats that no one could fully understand before.