Outdoor cats: Identifying differences between stakeholder beliefs, perceived impacts, risk and management

Wald, Dara M.; Jacobson, Susan K.; Levy, Julie

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2013.07.034

Cited by 65 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Because our model was evaluated with a sample of active stakeholders, it is currently limited in its generalizability to the public, who may or may not posses the same level of interest or knowledge about the management of outdoor cats. However, previous research findings have suggested that many of the variables included in this model are important predictors of management preference for the public, and that attitude-based models are a better predictor of management preference than models focused on demographic variables, experiences and knowledge [7], [14], [17]. Future research should explore the applicability of this model to a sample of the general public.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

A Multivariate Model of Stakeholder Preference for Lethal Cat Management

Wald

Jacobson

2014

PLoS ONE

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Identifying stakeholder beliefs and attitudes is critical for resolving management conflicts. Debate over outdoor cat management is often described as a conflict between two groups, environmental advocates and animal welfare advocates, but little is known about the variables predicting differences among these critical stakeholder groups. We administered a mail survey to randomly selected stakeholders representing both of these groups (n = 1,596) in Florida, where contention over the management of outdoor cats has been widespread. We used a structural equation model to evaluate stakeholder intention to support non-lethal management. The cognitive hierarchy model predicted that values influenced beliefs, which predicted general and specific attitudes, which in turn, influenced behavioral intentions. We posited that specific attitudes would mediate the effect of general attitudes, beliefs, and values on management support. Model fit statistics suggested that the final model fit the data well (CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.062). The final model explained 74% of the variance in management support, and positive attitudes toward lethal management (humaneness) had the largest direct effect on management support. Specific attitudes toward lethal management and general attitudes toward outdoor cats mediated the relationship between positive (p<0.05) and negative cat-related impact beliefs (p<0.05) and support for management. These results supported the specificity hypothesis and the use of the cognitive hierarchy to assess stakeholder intention to support non-lethal cat management. Our findings suggest that stakeholders can simultaneously perceive both positive and negative beliefs about outdoor cats, which influence attitudes toward and support for non-lethal management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

A Multivariate Model of Stakeholder Preference for Lethal Cat Management

Wald

Jacobson

2014

PLoS ONE

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“…However, widespread public agreement may be elusive because attitudes about management vary widely depending on country, cat ownership, and group membership (eg wildlife enthusiasts versus TNR supporters) (Wald et al . ; Hall et al . ).…”

Section: Management and Policy Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Population impacts of free‐ranging domestic cats on mainland vertebrates

Loss

Marra

2017

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

149

107

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Domestic cats (Felis catus) have contributed to at least 63 vertebrate extinctions, pose a major hazard to threatened vertebrates worldwide, and transmit multiple zoonotic diseases. On continents and large islands (collectively termed “mainlands”), cats are responsible for very high mortality of vertebrates. Nevertheless, cat population management is traditionally contentious and usually involves proving that cats reduce prey population sizes. We synthesize the available evidence of the negative effects of cats on mainland vertebrates. More than a dozen observational studies, as well as experimental research, provide unequivocal evidence that cats are capable of affecting multiple population‐level processes among mainland vertebrates. In addition to predation, cats affect vertebrate populations through disease and fear‐related effects, and they reduce population sizes, suppress vertebrate population sizes below their respective carrying capacities, and alter demographic processes such as source–sink dynamics. Policy discussions should shift from requiring “proof of impact” to a precautionary approach that emphasizes evidence‐driven management to reduce further impacts from outdoor cats.

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“…The political, social, public health, and conservation issues surrounding free‐roaming cats are complicated (Peterson et al , Wald et al , Lohr and Lepczyk ). Despite growing evidence that free‐roaming cats reduce wildlife populations through direct (i.e., lethal, consumption) and indirect (i.e., sublethal effects resulting from altered prey behavior to avoid immediate predation risk) predation (Lepczyk , Cresswell , Balogh et al , Stracey , Bonnington et al ), spread disease to other wildlife species (Miller et al , Anderson et al , Conrad et al ), negatively affect environmental health (Dabritz et al ), and transmit zoonotic pathogens to humans (Gerhold and Jessup ), cat management on the landscape remains contentious (Longcore et al , Lepczyk et al , Dauphiné , Loyd and Hernandez , Wald et al ). There are an estimated 50–157 million free‐roaming cats in North America (Schmidt et al , Dauphiné and Cooper ).…”

Section: Summary Of Study Categories and Research Hypotheses Regardinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free‐roaming cat interactions with wildlife admitted to a wildlife hospital

et al. 2016

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Free‐roaming domestic cats are a major anthropogenic source of morbidity and mortality to wild birds and mammals in the United States. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators routinely treat cat‐caused injuries. However, extent of these activities is under‐reported in the scientific literature. To determine incidence, age class, mortality, diversity and frequency of species affected, nature of injuries, time in care, and temporal and geospatial trends associated with interactions between free‐roaming cats and wildlife, we conducted a retrospective analysis on 20,921 records from small birds and mammals presented to the Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV), USA between 2000 and 2010. Cat interaction was the second greatest cause of small‐mammal admissions (14.8%), fourth greatest cause of mammal mortality (70.8%), fourth greatest cause of bird admissions (13.7%), and second greatest cause of avian mortality (80.8%). Eighty‐three species were admitted following interactions with cats. Age of wildlife admitted following cat interaction varied by class; juvenile mammals were captured most frequently (40.5%), followed by neonates (34%), then adults (25.5%). However, adults were documented most frequently in birds (42.7%), followed by juveniles (37.2%), then nestlings (20.1%). Birds were more likely to have interactions with cats in rural areas, whereas degree of urbanization did not differ for mammals. Eighty‐eight percent of cat interactions occurred between April and September, indicating a strong seasonal trend. Our findings indicate that free‐roaming cats substantially contribute to admissions in a wildlife rehabilitation hospital and even with veterinary intervention, release potential is limited. Reducing the number of free‐roaming cats will reduce interactions with wildlife and decrease the need for medical assistance. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

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Outdoor cats: Identifying differences between stakeholder beliefs, perceived impacts, risk and management

Cited by 65 publications

References 69 publications

A Multivariate Model of Stakeholder Preference for Lethal Cat Management

A Multivariate Model of Stakeholder Preference for Lethal Cat Management

Population impacts of free‐ranging domestic cats on mainland vertebrates

Free‐roaming cat interactions with wildlife admitted to a wildlife hospital

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