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Characteristics of cat semi-owners
Gemma C Ma1,2, Lynette J McLeod3, Sarah J Zito4
1RSPCA New South Wales, Yagoona, NSW, Australia.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
|September 26, 2023
Summary
Semi-owners care for stray cats, impacting wildlife and shelters. Interventions should consider their characteristics, including cat ownership and socioeconomic factors, to improve cat welfare and management.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior and welfare
- Community health
- Human-wildlife interactions
Background:
- Unowned domestic cats pose risks to wildlife, community well-being, and shelter resources.
- Semi-owners, who care for stray cats without considering them their own, represent a key demographic for intervention.
- Understanding semi-owner characteristics is crucial for developing effective cat management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize individuals who provide care for unowned domestic cats (semi-owners).
- To compare semi-owners with general cat owners and non-owners.
- To inform the design of targeted interventions for improved cat population management and welfare.
Main Methods:
- An online questionnaire was distributed to residents of New South Wales, Australia.
- Respondents were surveyed about their care for free-roaming or stray cats, existing cat ownership, and attitudes towards cat containment (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - COM framework).
Main Results:
- 8,708 responses were analyzed, with 588 (7%) identified as semi-owners.
- Semi-owners were more likely to be female, live in urban, lower socioeconomic areas, and rent their homes.
- A majority of semi-owners also owned cats, often possessing multiple cats.
Conclusions:
- Semi-owners are a vital target for behavior change interventions concerning unowned cats.
- Interventions must acknowledge semi-owners' existing cat care burdens, socioeconomic status, and potential barriers like cost and trust.
- A compassionate, nuanced approach prioritizing the welfare of both cats and semi-owners is essential for successful engagement and management.
Keywords:
Felis catusbehaviour changedomesticferalfree-roaminghuman–animal bondpopulation managementsemi-ownerstrayMore Related Videos
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