Who Cares? Exploring the Demographics and Proportion of People Providing Care for Community Cats in Seven Study Communities in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: While several studies have evaluated the demographics of pet ownership in the US, few studies have explored the demographics and proportion of the population that feed community cats. This research examines these questions in seven geographically diverse study communities. The concept of capacity for caring is advanced as a way to quantify a community’s ability and willingness to provide for community cats. Methods: A web-based panel survey was distributed and received 6,318 responses. The survey was administered in seven different study communities as part of a larger survey. Individuals were asked a series of demographic and socioeconomic questions as well as whether they fed community cats. Results: The profile of people feeding community cats is diverse with Black and Hispanic respondents emerging as more likely to feed cats than White respondents. Results indicate that an average of 30% of people feed community cats, and that most feed three or fewer cats. Significant variation in the proportion of people feeding cats is seen across the seven study communities, perhaps driven by the number of cats in the different communities. Confirming findings of previous studies, individuals who have pets of their own are also significantly more likely to feed community cats. Conclusion: The results indicate that communities have a relatively high capacity to care for community cats. This research also adds an equity perspective to programs aimed at removal of community cats from their spaces. Cat caregivers are diverse and generally reflect their respective communities. Policymakers should consider the impact to the cats and their caregivers before implementing programs that target removal of community cats from their outdoor homes.