Cat Caring Behaviors and Ownership Status of Residents Enrolling a Cat in a Free Sterilization Program
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Community Cat Program and Permit Approvals
2.2. Participant Eligibility and Recruitment
2.3. Survey Design and Distribution
2.4. Data Cleaning
2.5. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Survey Response Rate and Demographics
3.2. Details of Cat Characteristics
3.3. Details of Environment and Preventative Health Care
3.4. Details of Ownership Status
4. Discussion
4.1. Demographics
4.2. Cat Characteristics
4.3. Environment and Preventative Health Care
4.4. Ownership Status
4.5. Limitations
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
Appendix B
Survey Questions | Response Options |
---|---|
Mandatory survey questions | |
| Owner/Just feeding or caring for cat |
| No, single cat household/Yes, multi-cat household |
| Yes/No/Unknown |
| Yes/No/Unknown |
| Animal shelter or pound/Friend or family in urban area/Stray in urban area/Stray in rural area/Breeder/Friend or family in rural area/Online, Facebook, newspaper advertisement/Other |
| Litter-box only/Both litter-box and outside/Outside only |
| Yes/No |
| Not tested/Positive/Negative/Don’t know |
| Not tested/Positive/Negative/Don’t know |
| Vaccinated/Unvaccinated/Unknown |
| Yes/No/Don’t know |
| Within the last 6 months/6–12 months ago/1–3 years ago/Over 3 years ago |
Voluntary survey questions | |
| Owner/Just feeding or caring for cat |
| I became more attached to the cat over time I heard about the opportunity to get cat desexed (sterilized) and microchipped for free The cat continued to hang around The cat became more friendly I wanted to do the right thing The cat was at risk of being trapped by animal control or council officers I was concerned this cat would be euthanized To stop kittens being born I feel responsible now because I have been caring for it There is no one else to take responsibility for this cat Initially I was not sure if this cat belonged to someone I was not sure someone else was feeding and caring for this cat The cat started coming into the house The kids or another family member fell in love with it The cat was in danger of being hurt The cat required veterinary attention Other (please explain) |
Appendix C
Survey Question | Response Options |
---|---|
I. Your cat | |
1. How long have you owned or cared for this cat? | |
2. Prior to when you heard about the free desexing program, did you consider that you were the owner of this cat, OR were you just feeding or caring for this cat? | Owner/Just feeding or caring for cat |
II. Your cat’s environment | |
1. How would you describe your cat’s outdoor access? | Indoors only/More outdoors than indoors/More indoors than outdoors/Outdoors only/50/50 |
2. What is the extent of your cat’s outdoor access? | Enclosed courtyard or enclosed yard/Not restricted to my property boundaries/NA |
3. When is your cat able to have access to the outdoors? | Day-time only/Night-time only/Day- and night-time/NA |
4. Are there other cats present her usual environment? | No, single-cat household/Yes, multi-cat household/How many other cats? |
5. Did the cat come from an environment with dogs? | Yes/No |
6. Are those dogs vaccinated? | Yes/No/Unknown/NA |
7. Where did your cat originally come from? | Animal shelter or pound/Friend or family in urban area/Stray in urban area/Stray in rural area/Breeder/Friend or family in rural area/Online, Facebook, newspaper advertisement/Other |
8. What are your cat’s toileting habits? | Litter-box only/Both litter-box and outside/Outside only |
9. Does your cat ever go to boarding facilities? | Yes/No |
III. Your cat’s health and vaccination status | |
10. Has your cat been tested for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and if so, do you know what the result was? | Not tested/Positive/Negative/Don’t know |
11. Has your cat been tested for Feline AIDS (FIV), and if so, do you know what the result was? | Not tested/Positive/Negative/Don’t know |
12. Has your cat been vaccinated? | Vaccinated/Unvaccinated/Unknown |
13. Was a full-course (two or more) of vaccinations given as a kitten? | Yes/No/Don’t know |
14. If vaccinated, when was the last vaccine given? | Within the last 6 months/6–12 months ago/1–3 years ago/Over 3 years ago |
IV. Your cat’s diet | |
15. Which statements (tick all that apply) best describes your cat’s diet? | All wet food from cans or pouches/All dry food/A combination of commercial wet and dry food/A combination of raw meat and commercial food/A combination of cooked meat and commercial food |
16. Do you ever feed your cat raw meat? | Yes/No |
17. If yes, how often? | Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Occasionally |
18. What types (tick all that apply) of raw meat have you fed your cat? | Chicken/Beef/Lamb/Pork/Rabbit/Kangaroo/Other (Please specify) |
19. Does your cat hunt? | Yes, often/Sometimes/Never |
20. If yes, have you ever seen your cat eat the prey? | Yes/No |
21. What prey (tick all that apply) have you seen your cat catch? | Insects/Slugs and snails/Lizards & geckos/Rodents (mice, rats)/Birds/Other |
On average, how many insects does your cat catch in 6 months? | |
On average, how many slugs and snails does your cat catch in 6 months? | |
On average, how many lizards and geckos does your cat catch in 6 months? | |
On average, how many rodents (mice, rats) does your cat catch in 6 months? | |
On average, how many birds does your cat catch in 6 months? | |
On average, how many ‘other’ prey does your cat catch in 6 months? | |
This question is voluntary to answer, but the information will help us better help people feeding cats that need desexing (sterilizing) | |
22. When the cat first came into your life, did you regard yourself as the owner or were you just feeding or caring for | Owner/Just feeding or caring for cat |
23. If at first you didn’t consider yourself to be the owner, but now you do, what factors made you change your mind (select up to 5 that apply from the list below)? 24. Among the factors you selected which was the most important (select only one from the list)? | I became more attached to the cat over time I heard about the opportunity to get cat desexed (sterilized) and microchipped for free The cat continued to hang around The cat became more friendly I wanted to do the right thing The cat was at risk of being trapped by animal control or council officers I was concerned this cat would be euthanized To stop kittens being born I feel responsible now because I have been caring for it There is no one else to take responsibility for this cat Initially I was not sure if this cat belonged to someone I was not sure someone else was feeding and caring for this cat The cat started coming into the house The kids or another family member fell in love with it The cat was in danger of being hurt The cat required veterinary attention Other (please explain) |
References
- Kerr, C.; Rand, J.; Morton, J.; Reid, R.; Paterson, M. Changes associated with improved outcomes for cats entering RSPCA Queensland shelters from 2011 to 2016. Animals 2018, 8, 95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Walker, J.K.; Bruce, S.J.; Dale, A.R. A Survey of Public Opinion on Cat (Felis catus) Predation and the Future Direction of Cat Management in New Zealand. Animals 2017, 7, 49. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Toukhsati, S.R.; Young, E.; Bennett, P.C.; Coleman, G.J. Wandering cats: Attitudes and behaviors towards cat containment in Australia. Anthrozoös 2012, 25, 61–74. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Legge, S.; Woinarski, J.C.Z.; Dickman, C.R.; Murphy, B.P.; Woolley, L.-A.; Calver, M.C. We need to worry about Bella and Charlie: The impacts of pet cats on Australian wildlife. Wildl. Res. 2020, 47, 523–539. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cotterell, J.L.; Rand, J.; Barnes, T.S.; Scotney, R. Impacts of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-owned Cats. Animals 2024, 14, 1615. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rand, J.; Lancaster, E.; Inwood, G.; Cluderay, C.; Marston, L. Strategies to Reduce the Euthanasia of Impounded Dogs and Cats Used by Councils in Victoria, Australia. Animals 2018, 8, 100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chua, D.; Rand, J.; Morton, J. Stray and Owner-relinquished cats in Australia—Estimation of numbers entering municipal pounds, shelters and rescue groups and their outcomes. Animals 2023, 13, 1771. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rohlf, V.; Bennet, P. Perpetration-induced traumatic stress in persons who euthanize nonhuman animals in surgeries, animal shelters, and laboratories. Soc. Anim. 2005, 13, 201–220. [Google Scholar]
- Andrukonis, A.; Protopopova, A. Occupational health of animal shelter employees by live release rate, shelter type, and euthanasia-related decision. Anthrozoös 2020, 33, 119–131. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rand, J.; Ahmadabadi, Z.; Norris, J.M.; Franklin, M. Attitudes and beliefs of a sample of Australian dog and cat owners towards pet confinement. Animals 2023, 13, 1067. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Legge, S.; Murphy, B.P.; McGregor, H.; Woinarski, J.C.Z.; Augusteyn, J.; Ballard, G.; Baseler, M.; Buckmaster, T.; Dickman, C.R.; Doherty, T.; et al. Enumerating a continental-scale threat: How many feral cats are in Australia? Vet. Parasitol. 2017, 206, 293–303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- American Veterinary Medicine Association. U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics. 2024. Available online: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics (accessed on 11 July 2024).
- Animal Medicines Australia. Pets in Australia: A National Survey of Pets and People. 2022. Available online: https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AMAU008-Pet-Ownership22-Report_v1.6_WEB.pdf (accessed on 13 April 2024).
- Pet Food Manufacturers Association. UK Pet Food’s Pet Data Report 2024. 2024. Available online: https://www.ukpetfood.org/resource/uk-pet-food-s-pet-data-report-2024-is-now-available.html (accessed on 2 April 2014).
- Gu, X.; Zhang, Z.; Peng, G.; Ni, A.; Wang, B.; Xiong, X.; Liu, Y.; Wang, L. A Survey of Public Opinion on Community Cats’ General Health and Relationship Quality with Residents in Urban China. Animals 2024, 14, 525. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hume City Council, Ordinary Meeting 16 April 2018-Investigation into the Viability of Implementing a Cat Curfew. 2018. Available online: https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Governance/Previous-Council-Term-–-Agenda-and-Minutes/2018-Council-Agenda-and-Minutes/16-April-2018 (accessed on 2 April 2024).
- Ma, G.C.; McLeod, L.J.; Zito, S.J. Characteristics of cat semi-owners. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2023, 25, 1098612X231194225. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- LaVallee, E.; Mueller, M.; McCobb, E. A Systematic Review of the Literature Addressing Veterinary Care for Underserved Communities. J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci. 2017, 20, 381–394. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Toukhsati, S.R.; Bennett, P.C.; Coleman, G.J. Behaviors and attitudes towards semi-owned cats. Anthrozoos 2007, 20, 131–142. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zito, S.; Vankan, D.; Bennett, P.; Paterson, M.; Phillips, C.J.C. Cat Ownership Perception and Caretaking Explored in an Internet Survey of People Associated with Cats. PLoS ONE 2015, 10, e0133293. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Scotney, R.; Rand, J.; Rohlf, V.; Hayward, A.; Bennett, P. The Impact of Lethal, Enforcement-Centred Cat Man-agement on Human Wellbeing: Exploring Lived Experiences of Cat Carers Affected by Cat Culling at the Port of Newcastle. Animals 2023, 13, 271. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- DCCEE. Draft Updated Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats. Climate. 2024. Available online: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/draft-updated-threat-abatement-plan-for-predation-by-feral-cats (accessed on 14 July 2024).
- NSW Government Enviroment Heritage. Feral Cats. 2022. Available online: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/pest-animals-and-weeds/pest-animals/feral-cats (accessed on 1 September 2024).
- The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Feral Cats. 2023. Available online: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/61987/feral-cat.pdf (accessed on 1 September 2024).
- Allies, A.C. What’s the Difference between Stray, Feral, and Pet Cats? 2024. Available online: https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/whats-the-difference-between-stray-feral-and-pet-cats/#:~:text=Stray%20cats%20are%20socialized%20to,most%20human%20contact%20and%20dependence (accessed on 17 August 2024).
- Vitale, K.R. The Social Lives of Free-Ranging Cats. Animals 2022, 12, 126. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ly, L.H.; Gordon, E.; Protopopova, A. Inequitable flow of animals in and out of shelters comparison of community-level vulnerability for owner-surrendered and subsequently adopted animals. Front. Vet. Sci. 2021, 8, 784389. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rinzin, K.; Stevenson, M.; Probert, D.; Bird, R.; Jackson, R.; French, N.; Weir, J. Free-roaming and surrendered dogs and cats submitted to a humane shelter in Wellington, New Zealand, 1999–2006. N. Z. Vet. J. 2008, 56, 297–303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pinillos, R.G.; Appleby, M.C.; Manteca, X.; Scott-Park, F.; Smith, C.; Velarde, A. One Welfare—A platform for improving human and animal welfare. Vet. Rec. 2016, 179, 412–413. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Colonius, T.J.; Ealey, R.W. One welfare: A call to develop a broader framework of thought and action. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2013, 242, 309–331. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rand, J.; Scotney, R.; Enright, A.; Hayward, A.; Bennett, P.; Morton, J. Situational analysis of cat ownership and cat caring behaviors in a community with high shelter admissions of cats. Animals 2024, 14, 2849. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Scotney, R. Occupational Stress & Compassion Fatigue: The Effects on Workers in Animal-Related Occupations. Ph.D. Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia, 2017. [Google Scholar]
- Jacobs, J.; Reese, L.A. Compassion Fatigue Among Animal Shelter Volunteers: Examining Personal and Organizational Risk Factors. Anthrozoös 2021, 34, 803–821. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nguyen-Finn, K.L. Cost of Caring: The Effects of Euthanasia on Animal Shelter Workers, in Rehabilitation Counseling; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: Edinburg, TX, USA, 2018. [Google Scholar]
- Rogelberg, S.G.; Reeve, C.L.; Spitzmüller, C.; DiGiacomo, N.; Clark, O.L.; Teeter, L.; Walker, A.G.; Starling, P.G.; Carter, N.T. Impact of euthanasia rates, euthanasia practices, and human resource practices on employee turnover in animal shelters. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2007, 230, 713–719. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Johnston, L.; Szczepanski, J.; McDonagh, P. Demographics, lifestyle and veterinary care of cats in Australia and New Zealand. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2017, 19, 1199–1205. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Toribio, J.-A.L.; Norris, J.M.; White, J.D.; Dhand, N.K.; Hamilton, S.A.; Malik, R. Demographics and husbandry of pet cats living in Sydney, Australia results of cross-sectional survey. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2009, 11, 449–461. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Elliott, A.; Howell, T.J.; McLeod, E.M.; Bennett, P.C. Perceptions of Responsible Cat Ownership Behaviors among a Convenience Sample of Australians. Animals 2019, 9, 703. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Johnson, J.; Calver, M.C. Prevalence of desexed cats in relation to age in a convenience sample of Western Australian cats. Aust. Vet. J. 2014, 92, 226–227. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chua, D.; Rand, J.; Morton, J. Surrendered and Stray Cats in Australia—Estimation of Numbers Entering Municipal Pounds, Shelters and Rescue Groups and Their Outcomes. Animals 2022, 7, 50. [Google Scholar]
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Rosewood 2021 Cencus All persons QuickStats. 2021. Available online: https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL32475 (accessed on 28 May 2024).
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Redbank Plains 2021 Census All Persons QuickStats. 2021. Available online: https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/310041302 (accessed on 14 August 2024).
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Goodna 2021 Census All persons QuickStats. 2021. Available online: https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL31187 (accessed on 14 August 2024).
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Redbank Plains 2021 Census All Persons QuickStats. 2021. Available online: https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/10804 (accessed on 28 May 2024).
- Alberthsen, C.; Rand, J.; Morton, J.; Bennett, P.C.; Paterson, M.; Vankan, D. Numbers and characteristics of cats admitted to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) shelters in Australia and reasons for surrender. Animals 2016, 6, 23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Welsh, C.P.; Gruffydd-Jones, T.J.; Murray, J.K. Poor owner knowledge of feline reproduction contributes to the high proportion of accidental litters born to UK pet cats. Vet. Rec. 2013, 174, 118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Downes, M.; Canty, M.J.; More, S.J. Demography of the pet dog and cat population on the island of Ireland and human factors influencing pet ownership. Prev. Vet. Med. 2009, 92, 140–149. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Australian Veterinary Association. Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. 2018. Available online: https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/companion-animals-health/vaccination-of-dogs-and-cats/#:~:text=Because%20of%20the%20variability%20in,the%20age%20of%2016%20weeks (accessed on 27 June 2024).
- Freiwald, A.; Litster, A.; Weng, H.-Y. Survey to investigate pet ownership and attitudes to pet care in metropolitan Chicago dog and/or cat owners. Prev. Vet. Med. 2014, 115, 198–204. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tran, V.; Kelman, M.; Ward, M.; Westman, M. Risk of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Infection in Pet Cats in Australia is Higher in Areas of Lower Socioeconomic Status. Animals 2019, 9, 592. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- McDonald, J.L.; Clements, J. Engaging with Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities and Their Cats: Human Behaviour Change for Animal and Human Benefit. Animals 2019, 9, 175. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Westman, M.E.; Coggins, S.J.; van Dorsselaer, M.; Norris, J.M.; Squires, R.A.; Thompson, M.; Malik, R. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in domestic pet cats in Australia and New Zealand: Guidelines for diagnosis, prevention and management. Aust. Vet. J. 2022, 100, 345–359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hofmann-Lehmann, R.; Hartmann, K. Feline leukaemia virus infection: A practical approach to diagnosis. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2020, 22, 831–846. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Westman, M.; Malik, R.; Norris, J. Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection: An update for clinicians. Aust. Vet. J. 2019, 97, 47–55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Westman, M.; Norris, J.; Malik, R.; Hofmann-Lehmann, R.; Harvey, A.; McLuckie, A.; Perkins, M.; Schofield, D.; Marcus, A.; McDonald, M.; et al. The diagnosis of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in owned and group-housed rescue cats in Australia. Viruses 2019, 11, 503. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Norris, J.M.; Bell, E.T.; Hales, L.; Toribio, J.-A.; White, J.D.; Wigney, D.I.; Baral, R.M.; Malik, R. Norris_Prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in domesticated and feral cats in eastern Australia. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2007, 9, 300–308. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Chang-Fung-Martel, J.; Gummow, B.; Burgess, G.; Fenton, E.; Squires, R. A door-to-door prevalence study of feline immunodeficiency virus in an Australian suburb. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2013, 15, 1070–1078. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Levy, J.; Crawford, C.; Hartmann, K.; Hofmann-lehmann, R.; Little, S.; Sundahl, R.; Thayer, V. Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2008, 10, 300–316. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Little, S.; Levy, J.; Hartmann, K.; Hofmann-Lehmann, R.; Hosie, M.; Olah, G.; Denis, K.S. 2020 AAFP Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management Guidelines. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2020, 22, 5–30. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Queensland, S.O. Passenger Code of Conduct. 2024. Available online: https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/passenger-code-of-conduct#:~:text=With%20the%20exception%20of%20pet,%2C%20hearing%2C%20or%20assistance%20animal (accessed on 20 September 2024).
- Rand, J.; Hayward, A.; Tan, K. Cat Colony Caretakers’ Perceptions of Support and Opposition to TNR. Front. Vet. Sci. 2019, 6, 57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Centonze, L.A.; Levy, J.K. Characteristics of free-roaming cats and their caretakers. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2002, 220, 1627–1633. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Crawford, C.; Rand, J.; Rohlf, V.; Scotney, R.; Bennett, P. Solutions-Based Approach to Urban Cat Management—Case Studies of a One Welfare Approach to Urban Cat Management. Animals 2023, 13, 3423. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Neal, S.M.; Wolf, P.J. A Cat Is a Cat: Attachment to Community Cats Transcends Ownership Status. J. Shelter. Med. Community Anim. Health 2023, 2. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rohlf, V.I. Interventions for Occupational Stress and Compassion Fatigue in Animal Care Professionals—A Systematic Review. Traumatology 2018, 24, 186–192. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Australian Pet Welfare Foundation. Bedtime Feeding. 2022. Available online: https://petwelfare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Bed-time-feeding-Infographic-EDIT.pdf (accessed on 20 September 2024).
- Government, N. Wildlife Rehabilitation Dashboard. 2024. Available online: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/rehabilitating-native-animals/wildlife-rehabilitation-data-and-reporting/wildlife-rehabilitation-data-dashboard (accessed on 20 September 2024).
- Kaźmierczak, I.; Zajenkowska, A.; Rogoza, R.; Jonason, P.K.; Ścigała, D. Self-selection biases in psychological studies: Personality and affective disorders are prevalent among participants. PLoS ONE 2023, 18, e0281046. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Holtom, B.; Baruch, Y.; Aguinis, H.; A Ballinger, G. Survey response rates: Trends and a validity assessment framework. Hum. Relat. 2022, 75, 1560–1584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Suburb | Unemployment Rate (%) | Higher Education Level (%) | Median Weekly Household Income ($) | Average No. People per Household |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rosewood | 10.8 | 6.1 | 1233 | 2.4 |
Redbank Plains | 12.5 | 8 | 1365 | 3.1 |
Goodna | 14.3 | 9.7 | 1179 | 2.8 |
QLD | 7.6 | 18.3 | 1675 | 2.5 |
Australia | 6.9 | 22 | 1746 | 2.5 |
Mandatory Questions |
Prior to when you heard about the free desexing (sterilization/spay neuter) program, did you consider that you were the owner of this cat, OR were you just feeding or caring for this cat |
Are there other cats present in his or her usual environment? |
Did the cat come from an environment with dogs? |
What are your cat’s toileting habits? |
Has your cat been tested for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and if so, do you know what the result was? |
Has your cat been tested for Feline AIDS (FIV), and if so, do you know what the result was? |
Has your cat been vaccinated? |
Was a full-course (two or more) of vaccinations given as a kitten? |
If vaccinated, when was the last vaccine given? |
Has this cat been to a veterinarian before for any reason |
What did they go to the veterinarian for?) |
Voluntary questions |
When the cat first came into your life, did you regard yourself as the owner or were you just feeding or caring for this cat? |
If at first you didn’t consider yourself to be the owner, but now you do, what factors made you change your mind? |
Among the factors you selected which was the most important? |
Cat’s Age (n = 1042) | % (n) |
2–≤6 months | 49.1% (512) |
>6 months–≤12 months | 29.9% (312) |
>1–≤3 years | 16.4% (171) |
>3–9 years | 4.5% (47) |
Cat’s Breed (n = 964) | |
Domestic short hair | 68.6% (661) |
Domestic medium hair | 22.4% (216) |
Domestic long hair | 7.7% (74) |
Purebred | 1.3% (13) |
Where did your cat originally come from? (n = 1078) | |
Friend/family in the urban area | 34.5% (372) |
Online/Facebook/newspaper advertisement | 25.2% (272) |
Stray in urban area | 13.7% (148) |
Friend/family in rural area | 9.4% (101) |
Kitten from existing cat | 5.5% (59) |
Breeder | 3.9% (42) |
Stray in rural area | 3.0% (32) |
Giveaway- owner didn’t want | 1.4% (15) |
Other | 1.4% (15) |
Animal shelter/pound | 1.3% (14) |
Pet shop | 0.7% (8) |
Questions Relating to Vaccinations and Veterinary Visits | % of All Responses (n) |
---|---|
Was a full course (two or more) of vaccinations given as a kitten? (n = 114) | |
Yes | 83.3% (95) |
No | 9.7% (11) |
Don’t know | 7.0% (8) |
If vaccinated, when was the last vaccine given? (n = 187) | |
Within the last 6 months | 67.9% (127) |
6–12 months ago | 17.6% (33) |
Over a year ago | 12.3% (23) |
1–3 years ago | 2.1% (4) |
What did they go to the veterinarian for? (n = 141) | |
Sick/injury | 31.9% (45) |
Vaccination only | 30.5% (43) |
Other | 17.0% (24) |
Vaccination and other | 16.3% (23) |
Microchip only | 4.3% (6) |
If at first you didn’t consider yourself to be the owner, but now you do, what factors made you change your mind—select up to 5 that apply; Among the factors you selected which was the most important—select only one from the list below). | Top 5 1; % of All Responses (n) | Most Important 2; % of All Responses (n) | Theme/s |
I wanted to do the right thing | 54.0 (34) | 25.7% (19) | R |
To stop kittens being born | 47.6 (30) | 18.9% (14) | R |
I became more attached to the cat over time | 46.0 (29) | 14.9% (11) | A |
I feel responsible now because I have been caring for it | 42.9 (27) | 12.2% (9) | R |
I heard about the opportunity to get cat sterilized 3 & microchipped for free | 33.3 (21) | 12.2% (9) | S |
I was concerned this cat would be euthanised | 23.8 (15) | 4.1% (3) | P |
The kids or another family member fell in love with it | 20.6 (13) | 2.7% (2) | A |
There is no one else to take responsibility for this cat | 20.6 (13) | 2.7% (2) | R |
The cat was at risk of being trapped by animal control or council officers | 14.3 (9) | 1.4% (1) | P |
Other | 14.3 (9) | 1.4% (1) | - |
Initially I was not sure if this cat belonged to someone | 12.7 (8) | 1.4% (1) | O |
The cat continued to hang around | 11.1 (7) | 1.4% (1) | A |
The cat became more friendly | 9.5 (6) | 1.4% (1) | A |
The cat started coming into the house | 7.9 (5) | 0 (0) | A |
The cat was in danger of being hurt | 6.3 (4) | 0 (0) | P |
I was not sure someone else was feeding and caring for this cat | 3.2 (2) | 0 (0) | O |
The cat required veterinary attention | 1.6 (1) | 0 (0) | R/P |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Dutton-Regester, K.; Rand, J. Cat Caring Behaviors and Ownership Status of Residents Enrolling a Cat in a Free Sterilization Program. Animals 2024, 14, 3022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14203022
Dutton-Regester K, Rand J. Cat Caring Behaviors and Ownership Status of Residents Enrolling a Cat in a Free Sterilization Program. Animals. 2024; 14(20):3022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14203022
Chicago/Turabian StyleDutton-Regester, Kate, and Jacquie Rand. 2024. "Cat Caring Behaviors and Ownership Status of Residents Enrolling a Cat in a Free Sterilization Program" Animals 14, no. 20: 3022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14203022
APA StyleDutton-Regester, K., & Rand, J. (2024). Cat Caring Behaviors and Ownership Status of Residents Enrolling a Cat in a Free Sterilization Program. Animals, 14(20), 3022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14203022