The relationship between feline-ality™, the interpersonal circumplex, and cat characteristics

Abstract

Domestic cats are euthanized at high rates in shelters. Appropriate matching between cats and their adopters increases adoption success and decreases euthanasia. The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™ behavioral test is currently the only cat personality measurement tool with the predictive validity necessary to achieve correct matching. However, it is logistically infeasible for many shelters. This paper describes two studies that explore replacement options for Feline-ality™ in shelters. In Study One, we considered the relationship between the personality dimensions measured by the Feline-ality™ behavioral test and feline age, sex, and color. In Study Two, we investigated the convergent validity of Feline-ality™ by comparing it with a validated survey-based human personality measurement tool previously used in cat personality research (the Interpersonal Adjective Survey, Revised (IAS-R); both tools measure two personality dimensions and predict successful interactions. We also explored possible confirmation bias in the IAS-R as applied to cats.. Resultsindicated that neither Feline-ality™ nor the IAS-R correlated with cat age, sex, or color, nor was there evidence of confirmation bias in the survey. The two personality dimensions measured by Feline-ality™ were strongly correlated with each other, and one was moderately correlated with a similar dimension of the IAS-R. While evidence suggests that the IAS-R could potentially serve as a replacement for parts of the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™ program, we describe the further research required prior to making such a change.