Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the population size of dogs and cats domiciled and semi-domiciled in the urban area of the city of Jataí, Goiás, Brazil, highlighting some features of these animals, like sex and mobility. An observational descriptive sample survey was used and households were randomly selected for the study. In total, 385 households were visited, with 1215 residents. Of the households, 63.63% had at least one dog and 11.17% had at least one cat. The dog: human ratio was 1:2.92 and cat: human ratio was 1:11.79. In relation to the canine population (416), 37.02% were male (5.29% neutered and 31.73% non-neutered) and 62.98% were female (9.37% neutered and 53.60% non-neutered). The feline population was 103 animals, 39.80% were male (14.60% neutered and 31.47% non- neutered) and 46.60% were female (18.86% neutered and 37.08% non-neutered). In relation to street access, 32.93% of dogs and 84.46% of cats were semi-domiciliary. The estimated population of canines and felines domiciled and semi-domiciled in the urban region of the city of Jataí, in 2018, was 3.605 and 8.323, respectively. These results highlight the need to implement strategies for population control associated with actions to raise awareness about responsible animal custody.
Highlights
The estimated population of canines and felines domiciled and semi-domiciled in the urban region of the city of Jataí, in 2018, was 3.605 and 8.323, respectively. These results highlight the need to implement strategies for population control associated with actions to raise awareness about responsible animal custody
The overpopulation of dogs and cats is a reality faced by the vast majority of Brazilian cities, causing serious inconvenience for the inhabitants, either due to occurrence of zoonoses, or due to mistreatment caused by the increasing number of abandoned animals
The study was made in the town of Jataí, Goiás, Brazil, from March to July 2018 and characterized as a prospective and observational sample survey, using the methodology of Catapan et al (2015)
Summary
The overpopulation of dogs and cats is a reality faced by the vast majority of Brazilian cities, causing serious inconvenience for the inhabitants, either due to occurrence of zoonoses, or due to mistreatment caused by the increasing number of abandoned animals. Considering that the increase in the population of pet animals is related to their high reproductive capacity, failure to comply with the concepts of responsible guarding and population indifference to the problem, public policies should be implemented seeking to reduce the overpopulation while teaching health education (WHO, 1990; Lima & Luna, 2012). Knowing the actual size of the population of dogs and cats of a city is essential to implement effective measures in order to find balance of these species and humans. Data about the reality the studied location is necessary, such as: number of males and females, stratification between species, animal access to the street and number of neutered and non-neutered animals (Catapan et al, 2015; Oliveira- Neto et al, 2018)
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