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Fu C, Wang F, Zhao Y, Zhu Q, Luo Y, Li Y, Zhang Z, Yan X, Sun T, Liu Y, Li Z. Challenges and opportunities in human dimensions behind cat-wildlife conflict. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14253. [PMID: 38516741 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Because global anthropogenic activities cause vast biodiversity loss, human dimensions research is essential to forming management plans applicable to biodiversity conservation outside wilderness areas. Engaging public participation is crucial in this context to achieve social and environmental benefits. However, knowledge gaps remain in understanding how a balance between conservation and public demands can be reached and how complicated sociocultural contexts in the Anthropocene can be incorporated in conservation planning. We examined China's nationwide conflict between free-ranging cats (owned cats that are allowed to go outdoors or homeless cats living outdoors) and wildlife to examine how a consensus between compassion and biodiversity conservation can help in decision-making. We surveyed a random sample of people in China online. Over 9000 questionnaires were completed (44.2% response). In aggregate, respondents reported approximately 29 million free-ranging owned cats and that over 5 million domestic cats per year become feral in mainland China. Respondents who were cat owners, female, and religious were more likely to deny the negative impacts of cats on wildlife and ongoing management strategies and more supportive of stray cat shelters, adoption, and community-based fund raising than nonowners, male, and nonreligious respondents (p < 0.05). Free-ranging cat ownership and abandonment occurred less with owners with more knowledge of biodiversity and invasive species than with respondents with less knowledge of these subjects (p < 0.05). We recommend that cat enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists participate in community-based initiatives, such as campaigns to keep cats indoors. Our study provides a substantially useful framework for other regions where free-ranging cats are undergoing rapid expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjian Fu
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of the Yangtze River Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yumeng Zhao
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qin Zhu
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunchao Luo
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuhang Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziye Zhang
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xueting Yan
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Taozhu Sun
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhongqiu Li
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Sensharma R, Reinhard CL, Powell L, Watson B. Public perceptions of free-roaming dogs and cats in India and the United States. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38958018 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2024.2374078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to describe differences between India and the United States in public perceptions of free-roaming dogs and cats, concerns related to free-roaming animals, and preferred strategies for veterinary medical interventions and population management. Between August 2021 and February 2022, 498 individuals completed an online survey including 210 Indian respondents and 288 American respondents. Free-roaming dogs and cats were largely perceived as community animals among Indian respondents, with significantly more respondents indicating they should be allowed to roam freely compared with American respondents. Respondents from both countries were concerned about animal welfare, although Americans were significantly more likely to list animal welfare, public health and wildlife risks as significant concerns related to free-roaming cats and dogs. American respondents were also more likely to support adoption for sociable animals and euthanasia for unsociable animals, whereas Indian respondents were more likely to support spay/neuter, vaccinate and release strategies for both dogs and cats. Our findings speak to the importance of implementing tailored strategies for free-roaming cat and dog management based on local cultures and community perceptions of free-roaming animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshmi Sensharma
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chelsea L Reinhard
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lauren Powell
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brittany Watson
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Arruda IF, Ramos RCF, Barbosa ADS, Villar-Echarte G, Augusto AM, Troccoli F, Amendoeira MRR. Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and other gastrointestinal parasites in free-roaming cats from the Rio de Janeiro zoo. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2023; 45:e006023. [PMID: 38149031 PMCID: PMC10750499 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm006023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This communication aimed to determine the frequency of infection by T. gondii and other gastrointestinal parasites in free-living cats captured in BioParque do Rio (Fundação RioZoo), Brazil. To this end, 58 blood and 51 fecal samples were collected from 68 cats from July 2019 to September 2020. The serum obtained was analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody test for anti-T. gondii IgG. Fecal samples were examined by microscopic parasitological techniques. Of the total, 10.3% of the animals presented anti-T. gondii IgG. Parasitic structures were observed in 39.2% of the fecal samples. Hookworms were the most detected parasites (19.6%) followed by Cystoisospora sp. (11.7%), Dipylidium caninum (7.8%) and Toxocara cati (3.9%). These results indicated the exposure of this population of stray cats to potentially zoonotic parasites, which in addition to causing possible damage to domestic and wild animal health, also pose risks to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Falco Arruda
- Biologist, Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Tropical (PPGMT), Laboratório de Protozoologia (LProto), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Veterinarian, DSc, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia (MIP), Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil and PPGMT, LProto, IOC, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Changrani-Rastogi A, Thakur N. Attitudes towards urban stray cats and managing their population in India: a pilot study. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1274243. [PMID: 37964912 PMCID: PMC10641441 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1274243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Life in contemporary cities is often dangerous for stray cats, with strikingly low survival rates. In several countries, trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs have been employed to control urban stray cat populations. Management of stray cats in urban environments is not just about applying scientific solutions, but also identifying approaches that align with local cultural and ethical values. India has an estimated 9.1 million stray cats. TNR presents as a potential method for stray cat management in India, while also improving their welfare. Yet, to date, there has been no academic exploration on Indian residents' attitudes towards stray cats. We conducted a survey in 13 cities in India reaching 763 residents, examining interactions with stray cats, negative and positive attitudes towards them, attitudes towards managing their population, and awareness of TNR. Results show a high rate of stray cat sightings and interactions. While most respondents believed that stray cats had a right to welfare, the majority held negative attitudes towards and had negative interactions with them. There was widespread lack of awareness about TNR, but, when described, there was a high degree of support. Gathering insights into opinions about stray cats, and the sociodemographic factors that impact these opinions, is an important first step to developing policies and initiatives to manage stray cat populations.
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Kim SA, Kenyon CJ, Cheong S, Lee J, Hart LA. Attitudes and practices toward feral cats of male and female dog or cat owners and non-owners in Seoul, South Korea. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1230067. [PMID: 37954665 PMCID: PMC10635483 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1230067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of pet cats in South Korea has sharply increased since 2010. Problems have arisen with feral or stray cats, creating conflict among residents, to such an extent that the government provides some sites for people to offer feeding stations for the stray cats. This study investigated hypotheses on people's attitudes toward feral cats in Seoul, South Korea: (i) dog and cat owners would show more positive attitudes than non-owners toward feral cats; (ii) females would have more positive attitudes toward feral cats than males; (iii) the number of Seoul-provided feeding stations by district would be correlated with people's positive attitudes toward feral cats. Responses from 7,394 participants were used for the final analyses with 3,179 males, 3,607 females, and 599 others (includes "decline to state"). Cat owners reported more extremely positive attitudes toward feral cats than people who had no cats. Females more often had cats than males, and they were more extremely positive toward pet and feral cats than males, and strongly opposed to culling as a management strategy. The attitudes toward feral cats of people with only dogs were intermediate between people with cats and people without pets, more resembling those of people without pets. There was a correlation between the number of city-provided feeding stations and people's attitudes toward feral cats, but only in the areas with at least 40 feeder stations; having many city-provided feeding stations was associated with very negative attitudes to feral cats. Whether the very large number of feeding stations were provided in the two neighborhoods due to a previously excessive number of feral cats in those neighborhoods, vs. those feeding stations attracting or provisioning an ever-growing number of feral cats, is unknown. These results show sharp differences in attitudes between cat owners and non-owners, and between males and females. Results resemble findings in other studies, perhaps with more extreme differences between sub-groups. The study revealed that attitudes toward pet and feral cats in Seoul were complex and varied with pet ownership, with sex, and with neighborhood context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-A. Kim
- Clinical Animal Behavior Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Claire J. Kenyon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sejin Cheong
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jenna Lee
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Lynette A. Hart
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Abusaada H, Elshater A. Building Sustainable Habitats for Free-Roaming Cats in Public Spaces: A Systematic Literature Review. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023; 26:582-595. [PMID: 34957863 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2021.2014840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This review article examines the possibility of providing a toolkit to prepare habitats for free-roaming cats (FRCs) in public spaces. The toolkit targets local communities, authorities, stakeholders, and advocates in the cities of the Global South, to raise awareness and improve the welfare of FRCs living in urban communities. This article explores a relatively new area in urban studies and veterinary science, and its connection to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A systematic review was conducted using bibliometric analysis, which illustrated how the literature on urban studies ignores the sustainability of public spaces as a living space for FRCs. This study contributes to our understanding of the current situation of FRCs from a theoretical perspective, in relation to the urban transformation of low-income and high-poverty countries. The article concludes with a four-pillar toolkit to help impoverished communities use public spaces as a resource, build sustainable habitats, and provide living spaces for FRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham Abusaada
- Professor of Architecture, Housing and Building National Research Center Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer Elshater
- Professor of Urban Morphology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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Furthner E, Fabian R, Kipar A, Schuler G, Janett F, Nudelmann N, Kutter APN, Reichler IM. Epididymectomy as a novel surgical procedure; application in the domestic cat. Theriogenology 2023; 200:168-178. [PMID: 36806926 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Feline overpopulation raises issues concerning health, ecology, economy, and ethics. Procedures to limit overpopulation should carefully address animal welfare, efficiency, costs, and feasibility. Vasectomy in unowned cats is suggested as preferable to standard neutering as it maintains male sexual behaviour which may induce ovulation and pseudopregnancy in intact females and may prevent immigration of other males. Vasectomy is not performed routinely because it is fastidious, time consuming and requires more material than standard neutering. We describe epididymectomy as an alternative. In a first experiment, we analysed semen, testosterone, behaviour and pain in six experimental cats before and after epididymectomy, and after castration two months later. Excised tissues were analysed histologically. Testosterone concentrations did not differ significantly between intact and epididymectomised animals but were significantly different after castration. Sexual behaviour and testicular spermatogenesis persisted after epididymectomy, but with a marked drop in the semen count after 7 days. The Glasgow pain scores did not differ significantly after epididymectomy and castration. In a subsequent experiment, 20 privately owned cats were epididymectomised and castrated immediately afterwards, to analyse the learning curve and perioperative complications. The time required for an epididymectomy was significantly shorter than for castration. The study confirms that epididymectomy is quicker and less invasive than castration, it is associated with minimal risks and post-operative pain while easy to learn and inexpensive. Further field studies are required to test its efficiency for feline feral population control or in other species such as in bears, lions or deer, where infertility is required and castration not wanted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Furthner
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Centre d'Etude en Reproduction des Carnivores, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Rosalie Fabian
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Schuler
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Fredi Janett
- Section of Andrology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Nudelmann
- Centre d'Etude en Reproduction des Carnivores, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Annette P N Kutter
- Section of Anaesthesiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Iris M Reichler
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Vasileva I, McCulloch SP. Attitudes and Behaviours Towards Cats and Barriers to Stray Cat Management in Bulgaria. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023:1-15. [PMID: 36927372 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2023.2186787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
This research uses an online questionnaire (n = 1148) to survey the Bulgarian public's attitudes and behaviors toward owned and stray cats and explore potential barriers to stray cat population management. Generally, the survey participants indicated positive attitudes toward stray cats, with 82.0% of the respondents reporting feeling sorry for stray cats. Semi-ownership behaviors were prevalent, with 82.5% feeding stray cats but only 18.1% neutering the cats they fed, posing a barrier to stray cat management. Overall, the respondents held mixed attitudes toward neutering. Of all cat owners sampled (n = 859) only 47.2% had neutered all their cats and 44.4% of owners allowed cats outdoor access or their cats lived exclusively outdoors. Multinomial logistic regression predicted that intact cats were more likely to be allowed to roam free and reproduce, which may present a significant barrier to stray cat population management. This is the first academic survey on attitudes toward cats in Bulgaria and the findings should contribute to stray cat management and ultimately improve feline welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivet Vasileva
- Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester, Winchester, UK
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Xu J, Jiang A. Public Opinions on Stray Cats in China, Evidence from Social Media Data. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030457. [PMID: 36766345 PMCID: PMC9913677 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of stray cats is often contentious because public perceptions about these animals are different. Using user-generated content from Weibo, this study investigated Chinese citizens' opinions on stray cats on a large scale. Through the techniques of natural language processing, we obtained each Weibo post's topics and sentiment propensity. The results showed that: (1) there were some irresponsible feeding behaviors among citizens; (2) public perceptions of the ecological impacts caused by stray cats were unlike; (3) the trap-neuter-return (TNR) method served high support in public discussion; (4) knowledge about stray cats' ecological impacts was positively correlated with support for the lethal control methods in management. Based on these findings, we suggested that management policies should be dedicated to (1) communicating to the (potential) cat feeders about the negative aspects of irresponsible feeding behaviors; (2) raising "ecological awareness" campaigns for the public as well as highlighting the environmental impacts caused by stray cats; (3) understanding citizens' perceptions toward different management scenarios and making decisions accordingly. In addition, this study also suggested that social media data can provide useful information about people's opinions on wild animals and their management. Policies would benefit by taking this source of information into the decision-making process.
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Natoli E, Litchfield C, Pontier D. Coexistence between Humans and ‘Misunderstood’ Domestic Cats in the Anthropocene: Exploring Behavioural Plasticity as a Gatekeeper of Evolution. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131717. [PMID: 35804616 PMCID: PMC9264925 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Welfare and management decisions for unowned free-ranging cats in urban environments should no longer be based on knowledge about behavioural ecology of solitary cats living and breeding in more natural ‘wild’ environments. We provide evidence that urban free-ranging domestic cats in the Anthropocene have responded to rapidly changing environments, such as abundance of food and higher population densities of conspecifics by adapting their behaviour (behavioural plasticity—the ability of a genotype (individual) to express different behaviours according to its environment) and social organisation to living in complex social groups, especially those living in colonies. Urban free-ranging cats are now more social, as demonstrated by different breeding patterns, lower infanticide, more frequent affiliative interactions in general, and different spatial groupings. We argue that this knowledge should be disseminated widely, and inform future research and strategies used to manage free-ranging cats across environments. Understanding behavioural plasticity and other recently evolved traits of domestic cats may lead to management strategies that maximise health and welfare of cats, wildlife, and humans—otherwise domestic cat behaviour may be ‘misunderstood’. Importantly, interdisciplinary research using expertise from biological and social sciences, and engaging human communities, should evaluate these management strategies to ensure they maintain optimal welfare of free-ranging domestic cats while preserving biodiversity and protecting wildcats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Natoli
- Canile Sovrazonale, ASL Roma 3 (Local Health Unit Rome 3), 00148 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Carla Litchfield
- Conservation Psychology and Applied Animal Behaviour Research Group, Justice and Society (Discipline of Psychology), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Dominique Pontier
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et de Biologie Évolutive, UMR CNRS5558, Université C. Bernard Lyon 1, 43 Bd du 11 nov. 1018, 69622 Villeurbanne, France;
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