Physical and Behavioral Measures that Predict Cats’ Socialization in an Animal Shelter Environment during a Three Day Period

Abstract

Simple SummaryInformation from surveys completed by the cats’ caregivers provided a score for the level of socialization of cats. We examined the effectiveness of structured assessments and measures in their ability to distinguish More and Less Socialized cats in a shelter-like setting over a three day period. Statistical models were developed that best predicted More and Less Socialized cats. Measures from these models were used to calculate a point system where more points indicated more socialization. In combination with key socialized behaviors, these points were able to fairly accurately distinguish More Socialized from Less Socialized cats. AbstractAnimal welfare organizations typically take in cats with unknown levels of socialization towards humans, ranging from unsocialized cats well-socialized but lost pets. Agencies typically determine the socialization status and disposition options of cats within three days, when even a well-socialized pet may be too frightened of the unfamiliar surroundings to display its typical behavior. This is the third part of a three-phase project to develop and evaluate a reliable and valid tool to predict cats’ socialization levels. We recruited cats from the full spectrum of socialization and, using information from the cats’ caregivers regarding typical behavior toward familiar and unfamiliar people, assigned each cat to a Socialization Category. This information was compared to the cats’ behavior during three days of structured assessments conducted in a shelter-like setting. The results of logistic regression modeling generated two models using assessments from the mornings of the second and third day, focusing on predicting shyer or more aloof but socialized cats. Using the coefficients from each of these models, two sets of points were calculated which were useful in differentiating More and Less Socialized cats. In combination with key socialized behaviors, these points were able to fairly accurately identify More and Less Socialized cats.

Practical Physical and Behavioral Measures to Assess the Socialization Spectrum of Cats in a Shelter-Like Setting during a Three Day Period

“…This study was the second part (see [ 11 , 12 ] for parts 1 and 3) of a three-phase project towards the development of a valid and feasible assessment tool for determining the level of socialization of cats within three days of entering an animal shelter. To our knowledge, this is the first time that so many measures of basic appearance, behaviors and change in behavior over time in cats immediately after intake to a shelter-like setting have been scientifically collected and reported.…”

“…We recognize that there is no established standard for determining a cat’s comfort with humans; however, a tool was needed to better understand how to identify socialized cats. The present manuscript serves to (1) describe the origin and administration of the structured assessments and measures used and their practicality in a shelter setting, (2) describe how the behavioral and physical measures changed in biologically important ways over time and by type of structured assessment (interaction) with the cat (for further analysis of these measures, see the third article in the series [ 12 ]), (3) examine which behaviors and physical measures are unique to More Socialized cats (based on their Cat Behavior and Background Survey results, see [ 11 ] for more detail) within three days after shelter intake to create a Behavior Checklist, and (4) validate the results of the Behavior Checklist.…”

Reliability and Validity of a Survey of Cat Caregivers on Their Cats’ Socialization Level in the Cat’s Normal Environment

“…The second phase developed and evaluated the practicality and potential for a variety of in-shelter assessments to indicate the socialization level of a cat within three days of intake [ 14 ]. The third phase used the survey described here in conjunction with the results from the in-shelter assessments to measure the efficacy of our structured assessments in predicting the actual socialization levels of cats [ 15 ].…”

Understanding human factors involved in the unwanted cat problem

“…It is now recognised that determining the sociability status of a cat can be challenging. Although some progress has recently been made toward devising a system for determining a cat's sociability status, at present standardised methods are not used routinely and consistently (Slater et al, 2010;Slater et al, 2013a;Slater et al, 2013b;Slater et al, 2013c).…”

“…Usually, cats are simply categorised as "owned" or "stray" (unowned) on admission . In animal shelters, the term "stray" is often used indiscriminately for all cats not surrendered to the shelter by an owner, but this "shelter classification" may differ between shelters depending on various factors, such as the way the cat was admitted, information obtained at admission about the cat and its lifestyle (if available), whether the cat has identification, and/or the cat's behaviour and physical condition Slater et al, 2010;Slater et al, 2013a;.…”