Perceptions of Veterinarians in British Columbia of Cat Management Strategies to Reduce Cat Overpopulation and Impacts on Wildlife Populations

Bibliographic Data

ID2162154
AuthorsLauren J Sherwood (University of Victoria), Amy G Wilson (Ottawa Valley Wildlife Veterinary Mobile Services, Gloucester, Ontario, Canada), Amy Wilson (0000-0003-2789-0480), Cluny S South (University of British Columbia), Steven M Roche (ACER Consulting, Guelph, Ontario, Canada), M Roche (0000-0001-6934-6497), Tanya M J Luszcz (0000-0003-0262-2463, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada)
Year2019
Volume32
Issue5
Pages613-629
Publication date2019-09-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthrozoös (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0892-7936 • E-ISSN: 1753-0377
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08927936.2019.1579473
OpenAlexW2973476369
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited59

Free-roaming cats present a multidisciplinary challenge for wildlife conservation and feline welfare. Veterinary professionals are critical stake-holders in the issue of free-roaming cats, making it imperative that their attitudes and perspectives are well understood. In this study, we conducted an electronic survey of veterinarians practicing across British Columbia to evaluate their perceptions of 1) whether cat overpopulation is a concern, 2) the impacts of cats on wildlife, and 3) alternative management strategies for dealing with cat overpopulation. Of the 389 respondents, 56% agreed that cat overpopulation was a local problem, and 91% agreed that veterinarians play a role in reducing cat overpopulation. Veterinarians in rural communities had a greater involvement in cat overpopulation and perceived it as more problematic than their urban colleagues. The majority (70%) of veterinarians reported that they performed early-age sterilization, supported the principle of low-cost spay-neuter services (67%), and 65% of them were involved in these services. Just over half (54%) of respondents reported that they provide permanent identification to cats, typically offering both microchips and tattoos. Veterinarians were less cohesive on their perceptions of the impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife: 53% agreed that after habitat loss cats are one of the most significant, direct causes of bird and wildlife mortality, while 30% were neutral and 17% disagreed. Fifty-six percent of veterinarians felt that keeping cats indoors would be one of the most effective strategies to reduce cat impacts on wildlife, but they also felt that public education programs and low-cost spay-neuter programs would be effective and more popular with cat owners. Most veterinarians (79%) recommended against unsupervised outdoor access, citing safety and disease risks. Rodent control was the most common reason for not recommending an indoor lifestyle. Overall, our survey results suggest that veterinarians are committed participants in the prevention of cat overpopulation. Conservationists need to focus on increased engagement with veterinarians regarding the impact of cats on wildlife

Animal welfare · Biology · Environmental health · Overpopulation · Political science · Population · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Veterinary medicine · Welfare · Wildlife · Wildlife conservation · Wildlife management · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Medicine · Rabies epidemiology and control · Zoonotic diseases and public health · Ecology

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