When and Why Cats Are Returned to Shelters.

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Veterinary Science
• Shelter Medicine

Background:

• Limited research exists on cat returns to shelters compared to initial relinquishments.
• Shelter databases often overlook cats returned after 30 days, a significant portion of all returns.
• Cat returns impact shelter capacity and animal welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common risk factors associated with cat returns to shelters.
• To analyze the reasons for cat returns, differentiating between short-term (<30 days) and long-term (>30 days) returns.
• To inform strategies aimed at reducing cat return rates.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of return data for 2642 shelter cats.
• Identification of risk factors including age at adoption and bite history.
• Categorization of returns into short-term and long-term based on time since adoption.

Main Results:

• Older cats at adoption and those with a bite history showed increased return risk.
• Cats previously in foster care had a decreased risk of return.
• Short-term returns were often due to behavior, being unwanted, or other pets; long-term returns cited personal reasons, cost, euthanasia, or stray status.

Conclusions:

• Risk factors for cat returns vary based on age and prior care.
• The timing of cat returns influences the primary reasons for relinquishment.
• Tailored interventions are necessary to effectively reduce both short-term and long-term cat returns.