Activity patterns and interspecific interactions of free-roaming, domestic cats in managed Trap-Neuter-Return colonies

Abstract

There is very little information on the activity and experiences of stray cats living in managed Trap-Neuter-Return colonies. We explored this issue on a barrier island in the southeastern USA. We analyzed activity patterns relative to both individual cat and colony variables. We used 645 h of point-of-view (Kittycam) video from 26 cats to determine that cats spent an average of 89.5% of time in inactive states (resting, sleeping), 9% of time roaming, 0.6% eating or drinking at colony feeding stations and 0.9% of time hunting wildlife. The averages did not differ by sex nor did activity levels differ by colony location (close to developed or undeveloped island habitat). A total of 142 interspecies interactions were recorded between 29 TNR colony cats and local wildlife. Non-predatory encounters were primarily comprised of interactions with four species: raccoons, black vultures, white-tailed deer, and Virginia opossums. All interactions occurred at cat feeding stations, the majority within 2 h of the daily feeding time. Understanding stray cat activity patterns may provide insight into the welfare of domestic cats in the environment, including their exposure to injury and disease from interacting with other animals.