A Preliminary Description of Companion Cat, Managed Stray Cat, and Unmanaged Stray Cat Welfare in Auckland, New Zealand Using a 5-Component Assessment Scale

Abstract

Free-roaming cats are a polarizing issue in New Zealand and there is strong need for a comprehensive evaluation of their welfare to better inform population management decisions. In this study, a 5-component visual health-related welfare assessment scale was developed and piloted on a convenience sample of 213 free-roaming companion cats (CC), 210 managed stray cats (MS), and 253 unmanaged stray cats (UMS) from various locations in Auckland, New Zealand. The welfare assessment was performed through distance observation and consisted of body condition score (BCS); coat condition score; nose and eye discharge score; ear crusting score; and injury score. The majority of cats in all groups appeared generally healthy with no nose or eye discharge, ear crusting, or injuries. Although there were no appreciable differences in the apparent welfare of CC and MS cats, future studies with more robust sampling designs are needed to draw accurate inferences. The scale also requires further validation by comparing the visual observations against more detailed physical examination and biochemical data. Nonetheless, the results from this study provide preliminary information about assessing the health and welfare of stray cats as well as considerations for developing and implementing robust assessment scales.

Changes in Health Indicators of Welfare in Group-Housed Shelter Cats

“…More than a half of these cats were rated with a score of 3. This finding differs from Zito et al (41). However, the higher percentage of cats with optimal condition found in our study may be explained by the fact that Zito et al (41) focused on the monitoring of free roaming cats.…”

“…Nowadays, the welfare assessment mostly relies on evaluating the physical and mental health parameters (the socalled animal-based indicators) (34). Although a comprehensive, valid tool for assessing the welfare of cats in shelters, which could be used as a basis for the design of a protocol, is not currently available (1), the use of various health-oriented indicators (most commonly the body condition, coat condition and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections) have been tested and described in studies assessing the quality of life of cats in various contexts (13,31,34,37,40,41). In our study, we focused on documenting changes in eight health-oriented indicators of welfare (body condition, third eye visibility, eye discharge, eye irritation, nose discharge, the presence of pathologically induced respiratory sounds, coat condition, abnormal posture, and lameness) in group-housed cats in a no-kill shelter using a 5-point assessment scale.…”

A Case of Letting the Cat out of The Bag—Why Trap-Neuter-Return Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat (Felis catus) Management

“…The methods used to quantify stray cat health are also likely to vary in diagnostic accuracy. An observational study of 210 colony and 253 stray cats in Auckland, New Zealand [128], found that more than 80% of cats displayed no signs of ear crusting or nasal and ocular discharge and more than 90% had no obvious signs of injury. In contrast, laboratory testing and physical examination of cats congregating at rubbish dumps at four locations in the Australian Capital Territory and State of New South Wales, Australia, found that many suffered from viral disease and multiple bacterial infections [129].…”

“…Given that TNR cats are hard to recapture following neutering (e.g., [64]), their health status is generally inferred from visual assessments (e.g., [96]). For example, Zito et al [128] visually assessed and compared the physical condition of stray and colony cats (body condition, coat condition, nasal and ocular discharge, ear crusting and injuries) in New Zealand and concluded the majority of cats were in excellent health. However, the authors acknowledge that visual assessments alone do not allow one to make “accurate inferences about… the true welfare status of these cat populations” (p. 4).…”

Methods of Assessment of the Welfare of Shelter Cats: A Review

“…To assess the welfare of stray cats and abandoned cats, a scale with five components related to cat health was used in a New Zealand study [252]-body condition score (BCS), coat condition, presence of nasal discharge, presence of injuries and the ear crusting. The authors found no difference in the welfare of free roaming companion cats and managed stray cats.…”