Nuisances and welfare of free-roaming cats in urban settings and their association with cat reproduction
Free roaming cats (FRC) are highly abundant in cities around the world. Increasing populations of these cats might result in impairment of cat welfare and cause nuisances and public health risks. In order to study the seasonal dynamics of FRC populations and its association with events of cat welfare impairment and nuisances, we analyzed a […]
The relationship between individual behavioural styles, dominance rank and cortisol levels of cats living in urban social groups
Individual animals show differences in temperament, often correlated with ecologically important behavioural patterns such as dominance, and with physiological responses to environmental perturbations, such as cortisol levels. Identifying these temperaments in animals may reveal adaptive patterns of behaviour and physiology that could be used to improve their fitness and welfare in human-controlled environments. We examined […]
Effects of Long-Term Exposure to an Electronic Containment System on the Behaviour and Welfare of Domestic Cats
Free-roaming cats are exposed to a variety of risks, including involvement in road traffic accidents. One way of mitigating these risks is to contain cats, for example using an electronic boundary fence system that delivers an electric ‘correction’ via a collar if a cat ignores a warning cue and attempts to cross the boundary. However, […]