Outdoor Cat Research Articles

Safe or sound? Factors influencing outdoor access, cat behavior, and hunting history with implications for conservation and welfare

Outdoor access may provide mental stimulation and enrichment for companion cats (Felis catus); however, it also raises concerns regarding their safety and predation of vulnerable local wildlife. Understanding factors that shape cats’ outdoor access and behavioral outcomes is therefore crucial for identifying nuanced solutions to the human-cat-wildlife conflict. In this exploratory study, we aimed to 1) explore owner attitudes towards providing or reducing outdoor access, 2) identify general predictors of free-roaming outdoor access, and 3) identify predictors of hunting behavior among cats that are allowed outside. Using a quantitative questionnaire (n=75 questions), we collected information on cat owners’ demographics and attitudes, their cat’s characteristics and behaviors in the home, home environment, outdoor lifestyle, and hunting history. Of 631 cat owners living near Davis, California, USA, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling, 36.7 % indicated they were keeping their cat indoor-only (n=232), 34.1 % providing supervised or controlled outdoor access (n=215), and 29.2 % providing uncontrolled, or free-roaming outdoor access (n=184). More than half of outdoor cat owners reported they were likely or somewhat likely to reduce outdoor access if they lived near busier streets (59 %, n=235), if more dangerous animals were around (59 %, n=235), if their cat stopped coming home consistently (56 %, n=223), or if they knew their cat was negatively impacting wildlife (53 %, n=211). We found that cats had higher odds of freely roaming if they were 7–10 years old compared to <1 year old (p=0.030), obtained from the street rather than a shelter (p=0.007), living within 500 ft of traffic (p=0.002), living with a dog (p=0.014) or a child (p=0.005), or if they showed aggressive behaviors in the home (p=0.008). Cats had lower odds of freely roaming if they had scratching areas in the home (p=0.017), or were living with one (p=0.020) or two (p=0.017) other cats. Among those allowed outside, cats had higher odds of having hunted prey in the last year if they were allowed to freely roam without supervision (p=0.016), or were allowed outdoors between 6:00–11:59 am (p=0.014). These results generate directions for future research in the field of companion animal management, and emphasize the role of cat owners in the intersection of animal welfare and wildlife conservation.

Identificación de genogrupos de protoparvovirus y sus variantes en leucocitos de gatos domésticos del Valle Central de Costa Rica

Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1) includes feline parvovirus (or feline panleukopenia virus, FPV) and canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2). Currently, although CPV-2 is not found in nature, its variants CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c are found and can infect cats as well. The objective of this research was to identify CPPV-1 and its variants as antibodies against CPPV-1 in the blood of domestic cats from the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Blood samples were collected from 155 cats, along with the following data: sex, age, breed, vaccination information, the environment where the animal lives (urban or rural), coexistence with other cats, health status, any chronic diseases, lifestyle (indoor or outdoor cat), and place of origin. Blood samples were analyzed by hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA) and molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing). Antibodies against CPPV-1 were detected using HIA in all cats; a total of 112 (72.3%) had protective titers (≥1:80). Using real-time PCR, CPPV-1 was detected in the blood of 42 (27.1%) cats, none of which presented anemia, leukopenia, or any chronic disease; five (11.9%) were vaccinated, and three (7.1%) had low body condition but showed appetite and had no other symptom or sign associated with CPPV-1. The group of qPCR-positive cats did not show significant differences compared to the qPCR-negative group regarding age, sex, lifestyle, coexistence with other cats, and antibody titers. Ten asymptomatic and healthy cats showed FPV (n=2) and CPV-2c (n=8) in blood with nucleotide similarities of 100% (GenBank M38246) and 99.8%-100% (GenBank AF401519), respectively.

Using applied social science disciplines to implement creative outdoor cat management solutions and avoid the trap of one-size-fits-all policies.

In the United States, policy conflicts have prevented successful population-level management of outdoor cats for decades. Wildlife conservation professionals have sought widespread use of humane dispatch (i.e., lethal culling applied humanely), whereas cat welfare professionals have promoted trap-neuter-return (TNR) (cats are trapped, neutered, and returned to the outdoors). These conflicts represent a policy panacea trap, which we argue drives many conservation conflicts. In these situations, the focus on defending a one-size-fits-all policy fails to account for the value differences that shape the different understandings of the problem and desired outcomes associated with each policy, as well as complexities in the social-ecological system. Over the past 5years, a group of wildlife conservation and cat welfare professionals codeveloped a set of products that have started to be used to help organizations break out of the policy panacea trap. We used a case study to illustrate how efforts grounded in applied social science disciplines, such as science communication, social-ecological systems, and conservation marketing, can help identify a more robust set of policy options tailored to local management and cultural contexts for successful implementation. Shifting the focus to embrace a shared understanding of the broader system helped us identify areas for collaboration, broaden the policy toolbox, and allow space for policy tools originally framed as opposing panaceas. This work helped prepare all parties to have difficult but productive discussions and address shared policy needs. We suggest that many value-based conservation conflicts would benefit from similar efforts that use applied social science to transform how conflict is addressed, moving beyond policy panaceas that end in stalemate to develop shared understandings of context-specific policies, and to identify opportunities for creative cooperation that yield real conservation progress.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Cat and Dog Allergies.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on allergic patients is not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in sensitivity to cat and dog allergens in patients with respiratory allergies in Istanbul during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic (March 2018 - March 2020) and during and after the pandemic (March 2020 - March 2022), a total of 5499 patients who underwent skin testing were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' age, gender, diagnosis, total IgE, and eosinophil values were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups: 2-6 years old and 7 years and older. The frequency of sensitization to cats and dogs was investigated in both groups before and after the pandemic. The median age of the 5499 children included in the study was 77 months, with a range of 2 to 221 months. Furthermore, 55.7% of the children were male. Of the children, 59.1% were examined before the pandemic, and 40.9% during and after the pandemic. During the examinations, allergic rhinitis was identified in 1628 children (29.6%), asthma in 1829 children (33.3%), and both asthma and allergic rhinitis in 2042 children (37.1%). Allergies to cats were found in 247 children (4.5%), and to dogs in 166 children (3.0%). When comparing the age groups, the frequency of cat allergy in the 7-years and older group was found to have decreased compared to the pre-pandemic period, and the statistical difference was close to significance (p=0.08). However, regarding dog allergy, in the 7 years and older group, the sensitivity to dogs, which was 5.6% before the pandemic, had decreased to 2.6% during the pandemic, and this decrease was found to be statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Environmental allergen exposure has a significant impact on the phenotype of allergic diseases. Changes in patients' lifestyles and increased time spent at home during the pandemic may have led to a decrease in contact with outdoor cat and dog allergens, resulting in a reduced frequency of cat and dog sensitivity. Additionally, the introduction of mask-distance-handwashing/disinfection rules during the pandemic is believed to have reduced contact with cat and dog allergens, potentially contributing to a decrease in allergy frequency.

Feline Susceptibility to Leptospirosis and Presence of Immunosuppressive Co-Morbidities: First European Report of L. interrogans Serogroup Australis Sequence Type 24 in a Cat and Survey of Leptospira Exposure in Outdoor Cats.

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. The role of the cat as a susceptible host and potential environmental reservoir of Leptospira is still not well understood, due to the lack of obvious clinical signs associated with Leptospira spp. infection in this species. This study aims to describe the first European detection of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis ST 24 in a young outdoor cat with a severe comorbidity (feline panleukopenia virus). In addition, the results of a preliminary study conducted in 2014-2016 are presented (RC IZSVE 16/12), which reports an investigation of Leptospira exposure of outdoor cats in Northeast Italy by means of serological investigation and molecular evaluation of urine. The animals included in the survey are part of samples collected during active and passive surveillance (diagnostic samples). The study reported a seroprevalence of 10.5% among outdoor cats and the serogroups identified were Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, Canicola and Ballum. Symptomatic cats reported high MAT titres (ranging from 1:800 to 1:1600) towards antigens belonging to the serovars Grippotyphosa (1:800), Bratislava (1:1600), Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:200) and Copenhageni (1:200-1:800). In one subject, urine tested positive for Leptospira PCR. Cats with high antibody titres for Leptospira and/or positivity on molecular test suffered from immunosuppressive comorbidities (feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus; feline herpesvirus and lymphoma; hyperthyroidism). The overall prevalence of serum antibodies against Leptospira found in free-ranging cats (10.53%, 95% CI: 4.35-16.70%) and the identification of L. interrogans ST 24 in a young cat with immunosuppressive disease (feline panleukopenia virus) suggest the possibility of natural resistance to clinical leptospirosis in healthy cats. In a One Health perspective, further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of leptospirosis in cats and their epidemiological role as environmental sentinels or possible carriers of pathogenic Leptospira.

The effects of free-roaming cats on native wildlife populations

Free-roaming cats pose a threat to wildlife in several ways, including predation, disease transmission and food competition. They have been specifically implicated in at least 33 bird extinctions, primarily on islands, making them one of the most important causes of bird extinctions worldwide (Danner et al. 2010). Free-roaming cats are extremely dangerous to wildlife, not only due to the internal and external trauma that can be caused by their bites and claws, but also from the bacteria present in their saliva. They are also responsible for the spread of several zoonotic diseases, including rabies. Free-roaming cats compete with other wild animals for the same food source and can quickly take over a wild animal’s territory and habitat. The outdoor cat’s lifespan is one-third of that of indoor cats due to the high potential for predation, starvation, disease, exposure and being hit by a vehicle. One solution to the problem of free-roaming cats is a method called “Trap-Neuter-Release” (TNR), in which feral cats are humanely captured, spayed or neutered by a veterinarian and then released back to where they were originally found. The best solution to the problem of free-roaming cats is public education. Veterinarians can and should play a major role in this educational effort.

Modified Wendelburg caudomedial approach for treatment of a distomedial humeral condylar fracture in a cat

AbstractA 6‐year‐old outdoor cat presenting with a progressive 5‐month duration right thoracic limb lameness was diagnosed with an articular fracture of the distal caudomedial part of the right humeral condyle. Surgical repair was performed via the modified Wendelburg caudomedial approach to the elbow using a positional screw to reduce the fragment and applying a temporary transarticular external skeletal fixator. Three weeks after surgery, the transarticular external fixator was removed and 6 weeks after surgery, a CT scan was performed revealing satisfactory bone healing. Eight months after the surgery, the cat had no lameness and a normal level of exercise.

Repair of an Isolated Traumatic Cranial Luxation of the Radial Head Using a TightRope System in a Cat

AbstractA 4.4 kg, a 6-year-old Domestic Shorthair male neutered outdoor cat was diagnosed with an isolated traumatic cranial luxation of the left radial head. Surgical stabilization was achieved using a mini TightRope system (Arthrex Vet Systems, Naples, Florida, United States) to hold the radial head to the ulna without attempting to reconstruct the annular ligament. A range of motion within the normal range was achieved after reduction. At 7-week follow-up after surgery, the cat was walking without lameness; at follow-up by telephone 3 years postoperatively, the owner described the overall quality of life as excellent with good mobility in everyday activities such as jumping, running, and playing. Many publications in veterinary medicine detail congenital radial head luxation, Monteggia lesions, or complete elbow luxation, but traumatic radial head luxation is barely cited as the occurrence is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a feline isolated traumatic radial head luxation managed with this technique.

Estimates of Domestic Cats in Urban Areas Using Interdisciplinary Science: The Washington D.C. Cat Count

Abstract Accurate information about the number of cats living outdoors and how they respond to different kinds of management are necessary to quell debates about outdoor cat policy. The DC Cat Count will develop the tools and methodologies needed to realize this possibility and make them available for broader use. This three-year initiative represents a major collaboration between animal welfare organizations and wildlife scientists. Its unique and innovative approach is to use the best scientific methods to quantify all subpopulations of cats in the District of Columbia (outdoor, owned, and shelter cats), concurrently test and optimize simpler methods that can be used to measure cat populations by diverse users at scale, and identify the types of interventions that are likely to accomplish desired outcomes most efficiently. Ultimately, we believe that this approach is more likely to improve outcomes for both cats and wildlife than a continuation of the status quo.

Sanitation is the greatest concern in outdoor cat management but ecological message frames promote biodiversity conservation in Japan

SummaryMessage framing contributes to an increase in public support for invasive species management. However, little is known about people’s preferences for the multiple objectives of management within different contexts relating to the challenges and benefits of invasive species management. We examine Japanese citizens’ preferences for the goals of free-roaming unowned cat (Felis catus) management in three contextual frames by applying experimentally controlled information and the best–worst scaling technique. Our results indicate that the ecological frame highlighting the ecological impacts of free-roaming unowned cats on native ecosystems significantly increases Japanese citizens’ concern about cat predation, although the frame did not change the preference ranking of goals. There are differences in the effects of message framing depending on cat ownership. The best–worst scaling technique shows that Japanese citizens prefer to maintain a sanitary environment, followed by the prevention of zoonotic diseases. Although the ranking of sanitary environmental management does not depend on cat ownership, the ranking of the other goals differs depending on cat ownership. The findings highlight the importance of strategic message framing and its prioritization in encouraging public support for invasive species management.

A psychological model to understand background reasons for different attitudes and behaviors of youth residents in relation to free-roaming cat problems on a human-inhabited World Heritage Island in Japan

Obtaining cooperation from the local people is a key factor in an efficient management of invasive species. However, conflicts between invasive species managers and local people occur, when the target species is strongly bonded with humans. To understand the attitudes and behaviors of local people toward the issues on free-roaming cats ( Felis silvestris catus ), we conducted a questionnaire study covering all high school students—who are important future stakeholders and could reflect ideas of their parents whose responses are hard to attain—on Tokunoshima Island, Japan, where the ecological negative impacts of free-roaming cats are exacerbated by residents’ feeding. We used a cognitive hierarchy model and structural equation modeling (SEM) to study the relations between our questionnaire items: background characteristics (i.e., cat ownership, education experience around cat-caused negative ecological impacts, attitudes and perceptions around cats and nature), perceptions of the negative cat impacts on nature and people, attitudes toward outdoor cat management, and the frequency of outdoor feeding. Results from 1162 youth respondents showed that cat owners and people who believed that cats are useful for rodent control exhibited a higher frequency of outdoor feeding, perhaps due to feeding their own cats outdoors. Perceptions on the negative impacts of cats on people (e.g., zoonoses and public nuisances) which were disagreed by cat lovers, showed a stronger effect than the perceptions of negative ecological impacts, in terms of the approval of outdoor cat management. In general, informing people about the threats of outdoor cats to people, house-owned cats and livestock through education activities regarding the cat issues will lead to a better understanding and cooperation toward outdoor cat management. Educating teenagers who are more likely to accept new knowledge is especially necessary. Keeping cats indoors and reducing the frequency of feeding outdoor cats are still one of the fundamental solutions to decrease the number of outdoor cats, which will in turn decrease the risk of cat predation on native species.

The outdoor cat problem: a response to Crowley et al. (2020)

Frontiers in Ecology and the EnvironmentVolume 19, Issue 10 p. 547-547 Write Back The outdoor cat problem: a response to Crowley et al. (2020) Christopher A Lepczyk, Corresponding Author Christopher A Lepczyk cal0044@auburn.edu School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, ALSearch for more papers by this authorKelly Dunning, Kelly Dunning School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, ALSearch for more papers by this authorRyan Williamson, Ryan Williamson Department of Political Science, Auburn University, Auburn, ALSearch for more papers by this author Christopher A Lepczyk, Corresponding Author Christopher A Lepczyk cal0044@auburn.edu School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, ALSearch for more papers by this authorKelly Dunning, Kelly Dunning School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, ALSearch for more papers by this authorRyan Williamson, Ryan Williamson Department of Political Science, Auburn University, Auburn, ALSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 December 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2428Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume19, Issue10December 2021Pages 547-547 RelatedInformation

Laser Light Pointers for Use in Companion Cat Play: Association with Guardian-Reported Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors.

Simple SummaryUse of laser light pointers for feline play is popular with many cat guardians. It can be an enjoyable shared interaction and provide an easy way to encourage cats to exercise. Laser light play alone, however, does not allow cats to complete the hunting sequence; cats cannot ‘catch’ the prey. It has been suggested that this might trigger frustration and stress, both of which can contribute to compulsive behaviors. This study examined the potential relationship between the use of laser light pointers for play and the occurrence of excessive or abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) often linked to diagnosis of feline compulsive disorders. Using an online, anonymous survey, we explored cat guardians’ use of laser light toys (e.g., reasons for and frequency of use) and reported ARBs. A total of 618 responses, primarily female participants from the United States, were analyzed. Nearly half (45.5%) of the respondents in our study reported using laser light toys to play with their cats, although frequency of use was low for many survey respondents. Although the statement “Laser pointers can make cats frustrated if they do not get to ‘catch’ something at the end of play” was familiar to over half of respondents (52.1%), only 35.6% of respondents reported following this advice. We found significant associations between the frequency of laser light play and the occurrence of all surveyed ARBs, apart from overgrooming. Overall, the more frequently LLP toys were used, the more likely guardians were to report ARBs in their cats. Provision of outdoor access and cat age were also significant predictors of reported ARBs: indoor-only cats, and young (1–2 years) cats were more likely to display ARBs. The strongest associations were seen for behaviors which may be connected to laser light play: chasing lights or shadows, staring “obsessively” at lights or reflections, and fixating on a specific toy. These results, although correlational, suggest that laser light toys may be associated with the development of compulsive behaviors in cats, warranting further research into their use and potential risks.Use of laser light pointers for feline play is popular with many companion cat guardians. It can be an enjoyable shared interaction and provide an opportunity for feline exercise. Laser light play alone, however, does not allow cats to complete the hunting sequence and it has been suggested that this may trigger frustration and stress, common contributors to compulsive behaviors. This study examined the potential relationship between the use of laser light pointers for play and excessive or abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) often linked to diagnosis of feline compulsive disorders. Using an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey, we explored cat guardians’ use of laser toys and reported ARBs in their cats. A total of 618 responses were analyzed, primarily female participants from the United States. We found significant associations between the frequency of laser light play and the occurrence of all surveyed ARBs, apart from overgrooming. Provision of outdoor access and cat age were also significant predictors of reported ARBs: indoor-only cats, and young (1–2 years) cats were more likely to display ARBs. The strongest patterns were seen for behaviors which may be connected to laser light play: chasing lights or shadows, staring “obsessively” at lights or reflections, and fixating on a specific toy. Although correlational, these results suggest that laser light toys may be associated with the development of compulsive behaviors in cats, warranting further research into their use and potential risks.

Transient skin and fur color change after trichotomy of the sacrococcygeal region for epidural anesthesia in a domestic cat (Felis catus)

A clinical case in which skin and hair color change occurred after sacrococcygeal epidural anesthesia in a nine-month-old Siamese cross queen undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is described. Six weeks after surgery, during a re-check, it was noted that in the sacrococcygeal region the color of the skin and new hair growth was dark with a color comparable to the color present on the body extremities (muzzle, pinnae, legs, and tail). The skin and new hair growth of the shaved abdomen presented a standard color. The key enzyme of the melanogenic pathway in mammals is tyrosinase (TYR), and the Siamese temperature-sensitive phenotype is the result of genetic mutations that makes TYR function thermolabile. The activity of TYR in these cats is limited to the extremities where the temperature is lower while pigment production is impaired in the other body areas. The trichotomy of the sacrococcygeal region performed during wintertime in an outdoor cat was probably the trigger for increased activity of TYR in this area promoting pigment production. The absence of the same alterations in the abdominal area may be justified by less exposure of that region to the external environment, as well as to the feline habits of sedentarism, that avoid significant cooling in these regions. This report highlights the importance of taking this type of occurrence into account when performing an epidural in the Siamese cat breed. Also, to avoid skin color change in this breed, the authors recommend a midline abdominal instead of a flank approach to perform OHE.

Cost of the Outdoor Cat and Dog

Invasive species pose a threat to native wildlife species worldwide. Through predation, competition, disturbance, hybridization, and disease transmission, invasive mammals interrupt natural ecosystem functions. Domestic dogs and cats affect wild populations of mammal, avian, and reptile species. Wildlife rehabilitation centers accept wild animals as patients for treatment after they have had contact with a domestic animal with the goal of releasing them back into the environment. The authors’ objective was to evaluate the impacts of domestic cats and dogs on small mammals and birds located in south central Pennsylvania. Wildlife rehabilitators rely on the public to bring them injured animals. Species bias exists among rescuers, as such, this study was not a comprehensive assessment of the problem in Pennsylvania. &#x0D; Survival of patients admitted to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County, PA between July 2015 and June 2016 was analyzed based on species, reason for admission, location, and season. Survival of patients who had been attacked by cats was significantly lower than those admitted for any other reason. Cats and dogs impacted 23 species, including three rabies vector species. Eastern cottontails accounted for a majority of cat and dog attacks. Moreover, no admitted avian species survived a dog or cat attack on any occasion. Attacks by both dogs and cats increased during breeding season (March–August) for many species, with most attacks occurring in urban areas. Care for wildlife injured by dogs and cats cost Raven Ridge Wildlife Center an estimated $7,557.00 in one year. Wildlife rehabilitators should focus on reducing the likelihood of these attacks through public outreach. Both cat and dog attacks occurred near locations identified as important breeding habitat for threatened or endangered birds, making prevention of these events a priority.

Weak Effects of Owned Outdoor Cat Density on Urban Bird Richness and Abundance

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are ubiquitous predators of birds in urban areas. In addition to the lethal effect of predation, there can also be sublethal, negative effects of domestic cats on individual birds. These effects have led to the inference that reducing outdoor cat densities would benefit urban bird communities. Here we estimate the likely result of policies/programs designed to reduce densities of owned outdoor cats in urban areas, estimating relationships between bird richness/abundance and cat densities across 58 landscapes in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We estimate that we would most likely observe one additional bird species, and 0.003 additional individuals per species, if policies/programs reduced owned outdoor cat densities to zero in an average landscape in Ottawa (with 130.2 cats/km2). However, these effects of cat density on birds were uncertain, with 95% confidence intervals crossing zero. Our findings—in combination with those of previous studies—suggest a need for research to resolve the apparent disconnect between the strong, negative effects of cats on individual urban birds and the weak, uncertain effects of cats on bird populations. Although measures that reduce owned outdoor cat densities are justified based on the precautionary principle, evidence to date does not support prioritizing these measures over those addressing threats that have consistently strong effects on bird populations.

Faktor Risiko Feline Panleukopenia pada Kucing di Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

AbstractFeline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection in cats caused a disease called feline panleukopenia with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is no causative therapy for this disease yet, therefore knowing risk factors is important measure to prevent the disease. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors of feline panleukopenia in Special Region of Yogyakarta therefore disease prevention can be done as early as possible. A retrospective case-control study that used 35 cats in the case group and 70 cats in the control group. Case group consisted all feline panleukopenia patients that were tested positive with Anigen FPV Ag Test Kit (Bionote, South Korea) from two local clinics. Control group consisted cats that were own by the neighbour of cats from the case group with age and sex as matching variables. Owner characteristics including formal education, occupation, duration of having cat(s), monthly maintenance cost, and interaction time per day also feline characteristics including breed, neuter status, origin, husbandry, and vaccination status were assessed. Association analysis was done using EpiInfo (chi-square and odds ratio) and manually calculated (estimated attributable fraction and estimated population attributable fraction). Associated risk factors of feline panleukopenia were duration of having cat(s) less than a year, domestic cat breed, cat origins such as pet store or market and stray cat, the presence of new cat(s), outdoor cat lifestyle, waste disposal outdoor, and not vaccinated cat. Vaccination status and the presence of new cat(s) had the highest strength compared to other risk factors. It can be concluded that vaccination and quarantine of new animals are important measures to prevent feline panleukopenia.Keywords: case-control study, cats, feline panleukopenia

Understanding conflicting cultural models of outdoor cats to overcome conservation impasse.

Many conservation conflicts are scientifically complex yet are rooted in value conflicts, which result in an impasse. Additional biological information alone is insufficient to resolve this type of conflict. Conceptual models that articulate the material aspects of a system are increasingly used to identify areas where parties disagree. Yet, modeling processes typically follow the conveners’ rules for discussing and assessing the topic, which can exacerbate conflict. Researchers have identified a need for processes that require participants to reflect on the limits of their own philosophical assumptions and acknowledge other perspectives. Cultural models are a promising tool for this purpose because they include nonmaterial beliefs, morals, and values that guide people's understanding of how to interact with an issue, sometimes subconsciously. We explored how cultural models used with conceptual models can improve understanding of value conflicts and used outdoor cat management as a case study. We conducted interviews and focus group discussions with wildlife conservation and cat welfare professionals involved in outdoor cat policy discussions in Hawaii and Washington, D.C. From these conversations, we developed a conceptual model of the outdoor cat management system and cultural models that led stakeholders to weigh elements of the conceptual model differently. Although wildlife conservation professionals generally spoke about outdoor cats as invasive species, cat welfare professionals spoke about them as homeless pets. These conflicting conceptualizations of what an outdoor cat is may help explain the root of many long‐standing disagreements. Examining how and when stakeholders invoke different cultural models allowed us to identify management actions that work with, rather than challenge, those models. Dialogue that embraces conflicting cultural models can be difficult and uncomfortable, but has great potential to overcome conservation impasse and achieve lasting conservation results.

Assessment of menace response in neurologically and ophthalmologically healthy cats.

Assessment and interpretation of menace response (MeR) in cats can be challenging. The prevalence of abnormal MeR in healthy cats is unknown. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate MeR in visually healthy cats. Fifty cats without history or clinical evidence of neurological or ophthalmological disease were assessed by two examiners: standing behind the cat (mode A), in front of the cat (mode B), and in front of the cat, covering the contralateral eye (mode C). MeR was scored from 1-5 (absent, weak, moderate, strong, complete). Examination modes were compared concerning presence and score (descriptive statistic, 95% confidence interval, χ2 test). This was compared to a three-level scoring system (negative, reduced, positive). Score reproducibility between the two examiners was assessed (Cohen's kappa [κ] test). Video footage allowed self-re-evaluation and evaluation of the second examiner (κ analysis). Learning/tiring effect (McNemar test), influence of age, body weight (Spearman's rho test), skull type (χ2 test) and being an indoor or outdoor cat (Mann-Whitney U-test) were evaluated. MeR was always elicited with at least one technique. Comparable results were obtained with the five- and three-level scoring systems. Mode A achieved strong/complete (positive) MeR in 84.5%, mode B in 82% and mode C in 60%. Exact score reproducibility between the two examiners was slight to fair (κ = 0.208-0.281). Intrarater agreement for video self-assessment (κ = 0.544-0.639), as well as inter-rater agreement (extrinsic video assessment), was moderate to substantial (κ = 0.584-0.645). No learning/tiring effect ( P = 0.530) or association with body weight ( P = 0.897), age ( P = 0.724), skull type ( P >0.05) and being an indoor/outdoor cat ( P = 0.511) were evident. The majority of visually healthy cats revealed a strong/complete MeR when the contralateral eye remained uncovered, but 40% failed when the contralateral eye was covered. The most reliable examination mode was achieved standing behind the cat.

Responding to misinformation and criticisms regarding United States cat predation estimates

Misinformation (or denialism), the disingenuous assertion of information contradicting overwhelming scientific consensus, increasingly poses a challenge for invasion biology. The issue of free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) provides an example of this misinformation: overwhelming consensus shows that cats are invasive species that impact wildlife and human health yet free-ranging cat advocates propagate misinformation about such impacts to support policies keeping cats on the landscape. These advocates also attempt to discredit peer-reviewed scientific research on cat impacts, as exemplified by the response to a high-profile paper estimating cats annually kill billions of U.S. birds and mammals (Loss et al. in Nat Commun 4:1396, 2013). Although favorably received by scientific and invasive species management communities, an effort was launched to discredit this paper by criticizing its methods, including a report commissioned by a feral cat advocacy group and a post by a feral cat blogger. These same organizations and individuals have made similar criticisms at scientific conferences and policy roundtables. Given the realized effects of this campaign in influencing invasive species policy, we here respond to these criticisms and show they are characterized by numerous errors and misrepresentations. We conclude that the criticisms are part of the broader campaign to fabricate doubt about outdoor cat impacts and stymie policies favoring removal of cats from the landscape. Because misinformation surrounding cats is emblematic of the broader issue of misinformation and denialism, this response will not only facilitate evidence-based policy for managing cats but also stimulate research and discussion into causes and impacts of misinformation in invasion biology.