Interactions of Free-Roaming Cats and Wildlife

Dear Colleagues,

Cats were domesticated approximately 10,000 years ago (although cats, if asked, would probably state that they domesticated humans). Today, cats are distributed globally, with the ecological status of their populations often defined by their relationships with people. Lifestyles range from pet cats confined constantly to human premises, pet cats supported by human households but able to roam freely, unowned semi-feral cats at least partially supported by people, and feral cats with self-sustaining, independent populations. In all cases, cats may interact with local wildlife by hunting, transmitting diseases and interbreeding.

These interactions give rise to many important questions, including:

1. Are wildlife populations endangered by cats?
2. If they are endangered, how can they be protected? What differences are required for pets as opposed to semi-feral or truly feral cats?
3. What welfare issues, involving both cats and wildlife, must be addressed?
4. How well do different stakeholder groups including veterinarians, pet owners, ecologists and animal welfare professionals communicate with each other regarding the interactions of cats and wildlife?
5. Can cats protect wildlife populations by controlling rodents that prey on wildlife?

This Special Issue welcomes contributions on these questions in literature reviews, empirical research papers, or opinion pieces.

Assoc. Prof. Michael C. Calver
Assoc.Prof. Trish Fleming
Guest Editors

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