부산대학교 도서관

Simple Summary: Australia's current strategies for urban cat management are outdated and ineffective, and are typically based on mandated containment and "trap, adopt, or euthanize" responses for nuisance cats. We undertook a situational analysis before implementing a cat management program based on free sterilization for owned, semi-owned, and unowned cats in a targeted area with a high per capita cat intake into the receiving shelters. Before implementing the intervention, we aimed to understand the attitudes and behaviors towards wandering and stray cats, as well as community preferences and priorities for their management. Stray or wandering cats were observed by many respondents (71%), primarily at private residences and in alleyways or streets, which caused serious or moderately serious problems for 38% of respondents who saw stray or wandering cats. Similar levels of concern were expressed in regards to the stray cats killing native birds, killing native animals, creating noise, and soiling. The respondents preferred sterilization over euthanasia for managing stray cats. Only a minority of respondents were satisfied with current local council cat management. Increasing public awareness about the advantages of cat management based on sterilization could further increase community support for this approach. Current cat management approaches are outdated and ineffective, failing to reduce stray cat numbers or related complaints and negatively impacting the job satisfaction and mental health of veterinary, shelter, and municipal staff. We undertook a situational analysis prior to implementing a Community Cat Program based on free sterilization of owned, semi-owned, and unowned cats in the city of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The study involved 343 residents in three suburbs in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia with high per capita intake of cats into the receiving shelter and municipal pound. We investigated the prevalence and impacts of free-roaming cats in urban areas, focusing on sightings, associated issues, and community preferences for cat management. Stray cats were observed by many respondents (71%), primarily at private residences (52%) and in alleyways or streets (22%), which caused serious or moderately serious problems for 38% of those who saw stray or wandering cats. Key concerns included the killing of native birds (38%) and animals (35%), noise (33%), and soiling (32%). Actions taken by respondents who saw stray or wandering cats included chasing them away or using deterrents (25%), capturing the cat for removal or calling council (18%) and preventing home entry (14%). Respondents' priorities for the local government management of cats included preventing kittens from being born (94% of respondents) and stopping cats from preying on native animals (91%); reducing disease spread to pets (89%), wildlife (89%), and humans (87%); decreasing stray cat numbers (75%); and preventing cat fights (70%). Respondents favored sterilization (65%) over euthanasia (35%), aligning with the results of previous research. Cat ownership and feeding unowned cats were predictors of management preferences. Only 29% of respondents were satisfied with the current local council management of the problem. Information on the benefits of management by sterilization could further enhance community support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]