2025/10/28 by Javier López-Cepero Borrego, Francisco Rivera, Jesús García‐Martínez +1 · 2 voices
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Health Professions · Veterinary · #Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies #Human-Animal Interaction Studies #Veterinary Practice and Education Studies
paper · doi:10.1332/20408056y2025d000000055
openalex created_date 2025/10/28 · openalex publication_date 2025/10/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/07
This article examines the role of institutional and personal support in volunteers’ occupational quality of life and presents psychometric data from two new instruments: Support in Animal Care Organisations (SACO) and Support Towards Animal Protection Labour (STAPL). A total of N=130 volunteers (86 per cent female; M=42; SD=12.8 years) from animal shelters in southern Spain participated. The exploratory factor analysis of the SACO revealed a two-factor structure (perceived resources and communication), while the EFA of the STAPL recommended a single-factor structure (perceived social support) for both family and friendship systems. All scales showed adequate reliability (EAP Alpha >.850). The linear regression study found statistical evidence of the relationship between both organisational and social support and occupational quality of life. SACO and STAPL provide two valid and reliable measures for analysing the support received by volunteers in welfare organisations, thus helping to improve their monitoring and facilitating research with this group.