“Assistive-centered approach” to managing free-roaming cats

Study

“Solutions-Based Approach to Urban Cat Management—Case Studies of a One Welfare Approach to Urban Cat Management,” published in the journal Animals, 2023. Complete article available online here.

Overview

For this study, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 residents of Ipswich, Queensland (Australia), each of whom had multiple cats in their care (range: 3–16) sterilized, vaccinated, and microchipped through a free “community cat program” (CCP). The interviews revealed several themes indicating that an “assistive-centered approach” to managing free-roaming domestic cats “has the potential to reduce the free-roaming cat population, their effects on wildlife, nuisance complaints, and council impoundments, and is aligned with the One Welfare philosophy” [1].

Key Points

The caregivers interviewed reported a strong bond with the cats in their care, in keeping with the findings of previous research [2,3]. Prior to receiving support through the CCP, their connection with the cats came with some negative consequences (e.g., strain on personal relationships, financial pressure); after receiving support, however, caregivers “felt an improvement in their quality of life” [1]. Indeed, as the researchers reported, “engaging with the program seemed to have helped enable community participation, by giving the caregivers resources, such as the knowledge and equipment to engage with their local community” [1].

“The results demonstrate the strong bond the participants had with the cats they cared for, and the positive impact the free sterilization program had on the cat carers’ well-being and quality of life.”

Although caregivers reported several nuisance issues prior to the CCP’s implementation, they “made no mention of the issues surrounding nuisance behaviors” following their participation in the program [1]. Additional benefits of the CCP include improved cat welfare and a sense among caregivers that the CCP organization was supportive and could be trusted. This stands in stark contrast to the situation prior to the CCP’s implementation, when caregivers reported “a perceived lack of support from the authorities, negative interactions with the authorities, and a fear for the outcomes of the cats” [1].

Based on their findings, the study’s authors conclude, “This study has demonstrated the positive impacts of an assistive-centered cat management strategy on caregivers’ psychological well-being and quality of life, and a positive impact on cats’ health and welfare. Additionally, we have shown the caregivers’ negative perception of agencies like the municipal council, and the potential this has to hinder urban cat management efforts” [1]. Improvement in the relationship between communities and governmental agencies could go a long way towards more effective and humane management of free- roaming cats.

Finally, the article points out that “assistive-centered management strategy, which aims to help owners and semi-owners care for their animals and is based on the sterilization of free-roaming cats, acknowledges the mutual dependency of animals, humans, and the environment, and has been documented to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia” [4]. While the welfare of the cats and their caretakers is important, the primary goals of free-roaming cat management are typically reductions in population and of shelter intake and euthanasia.

See related Issue Briefs:

• What to do with feral cats: Examining TNR for population management

• Cat health and welfare after TNR: Considerations and concerns

References

1. 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.

2. Neal, S.M.; Wolf, P.J. A Cat Is a Cat: Attachment to Community Cats Transcends Ownership Status. Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health 2023, 2.

3. Centonze, L.A.; Levy, J.K. Characteristics of Free-Roaming Cats and Their Caretakers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2002, 220, 1627–1633.

4. Kreisler, R.E.; Pugh, A.A.; Pemberton, K.; Pizano, S. The Impact of Incorporating Multiple Best Practices on Live Outcomes for a Municipal Animal Shelter in Memphis, TN. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2022, 9, 834.