A new way to deal with cat hoarding

According to the RSPCA, thousands of injured, stray and relinquished cats are received their Manchester facility each year. A significant number are confiscated from individuals hoarding multiple animals, due to the owners' inability to care for them.

Researchers examined the effects of offering neutering to these households in an effort to improve colony welfare. The researchers evaluated ten multi-cat households. A veterinarian assessed the overall welfare of each cat’s health and the living conditions. All female cats aged over 8 weeks were neutered and the pet owner was given cat care education. The households were visited 2 and 12 months later to reassess.

The total number of cats was 176 across ten households, with a median age range of 16. Overall household mean welfare scores were significantly improved at both the 2 month and 12 month revisits when compared to the initial visits. There was a 40% reduction in the population. By the end of the study period, three out of the ten households had voluntarily relinquished all of their cats.

Study suggests that neutering all female cats at a site, combined with advice and support, show promise in improving welfare.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

A novel approach to welfare interventions in problem multi-cat households.