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Situational Analysis of Cat Ownership and Cat Caring Behaviors in a Community with High Shelter Admissions of Cats
by
, , , and
Jacquie Rand
1,2,*,
Rebekah Scotney
2,
Ann Enright
1,
Andrea Hayward
1,
Pauleen Bennett
3 and
John Morton
2,4 1
Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, Kenmore, QLD 4069, Australia
2
The University of Queensland, Faculty of Science, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton Campus, QLD 4343, Australia
3
School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia
4
Jemora Pty Ltd., P.O. Box 5010, East Geelong, VIC 3219, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2024, 14(19), 2849; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192849
Submission received: 3 July 2024
/
Revised: 23 September 2024
/
Accepted: 25 September 2024
/
Published: 3 October 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Human-Animal Interactions, Animal Behaviour and Emotion)
Simple Summary
Management of stray cats in urban areas is an ongoing challenge in Australia, and many are euthanized, particularly in disadvantaged regions. The Australian Pet Welfare Foundation aimed to assess the impact of a free cat sterilization program in Ipswich, Queensland. Before that intervention, a situational analysis was conducted to evaluate cat and dog ownership behaviours. In a sample of 343 residents from the area, 35% owned cats, and 3% fed strays. Cats were mainly obtained from family or friends and shelters, while 53% of respondents owned dogs, mostly sourced from breeders and family acquaintances. A higher percentage of owned cats (91%; but only 74% for those aged 4 to <12 months) were sterilized compared to owned dogs (78%). Among cat owners, 51% contained their cats all the time and 18% at night. Our findings suggest that community-based sterilization programs targeting both owned and semi-owned cats, and assisting semi-owners in becoming owners, would assist in reducing unplanned litters and the stray cat population. It is also recommended that assistance with cat containment be provided where vulnerable native species are present in urban and peri-urban areas. These insights are crucial for developing effective policies aligned with One Welfare principles.
Abstract
Managing stray cats in urban areas is an ongoing challenge, and in Australia, many are euthanized. Most stray cats are from disadvantaged areas and are under 1 year of age. The Australian Pet Welfare Foundation intended to assess the impact of a free cat sterilization program in an area with high shelter intake of cats in the city of Ipswich, Queensland. The aims of this pre-intervention study were to undertake a situational analysis of cat ownership, semi-ownership and cat caring behaviours, and compare those in the same demographic with dog ownership and caring behaviours relating to sterilization rates, to provide a basis against which to assess the program’s effectiveness. In a sample of 343 participants from that area, 35% owned cats and 3% fed stray cats. Cats were predominantly obtained from family or friends (31%) and shelters (20%). More respondents owned dogs (53%), which were most often sourced from breeders (36%) and family acquaintances (24%). More owned cats than owned dogs were sterilized (91% versus 78%). However, only 74% of cats aged 4 to <12 months were sterilized. Cat containment practices varied, with 51% of owners containing their cat(s) at all times, and a further 18% doing so at night. These results suggest the need for community-based programs that focus on sterilizing owned and semi-owned cats, and assisting semi-owners in becoming full owners to reduce stray cat populations and associated negative impacts. This includes assistance with cat containment where vulnerable native species are present. Public understanding of the causes and effective solutions for free-roaming cats, alongside legislative changes, are required to facilitate these efforts. Assistive programs aligned with One Welfare principles are expected to benefit the wellbeing of animals, humans and their environments.
