Shelter housing for cats: Practical aspects of design and construction, and adaptation of existing accommodation

Wagner, Denae; Hurley, Kate; Stavisky, Jenny

doi:10.1177/1098612x18781390

Cited by 10 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Ideally, cats should be kept in small groups of three or fewer cats per room [ 46 ] and with limited exchange of animals between groups. New catteries should be designed with infectious disease control and stress reduction as priorities [ 438 , 439 , 440 ]. More information on control of infectious diseases in shelters can be found in the ABCD guidelines on prevention and management of feline infectious diseases [ 441 ] and infectious diseases in shelter situations and their management [ 442 ].…”

Section: Control Of Fcov Infection and Fipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines

Tasker,

Addie,

Egberink

et al. 2023

Viruses

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Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a ubiquitous RNA virus of cats, which is transmitted faeco-orally. In these guidelines, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) presents a comprehensive review of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FCoV is primarily an enteric virus and most infections do not cause clinical signs, or result in only enteritis, but a small proportion of FCoV-infected cats develop FIP. The pathology in FIP comprises a perivascular phlebitis that can affect any organ. Cats under two years old are most frequently affected by FIP. Most cats present with fever, anorexia, and weight loss; many have effusions, and some have ocular and/or neurological signs. Making a diagnosis is complex and ABCD FIP Diagnostic Approach Tools are available to aid veterinarians. Sampling an effusion, when present, for cytology, biochemistry, and FCoV RNA or FCoV antigen detection is very useful diagnostically. In the absence of an effusion, fine-needle aspirates from affected organs for cytology and FCoV RNA or FCoV antigen detection are helpful. Definitive diagnosis usually requires histopathology with FCoV antigen detection. Antiviral treatments now enable recovery in many cases from this previously fatal disease; nucleoside analogues (e.g., oral GS-441524) are very effective, although they are not available in all countries.

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Section: Control Of Fcov Infection and Fipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines

Tasker,

Addie,

Egberink

et al. 2023

Viruses

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“…The goal of C4C is to increase the efficiency of shelters by focusing on reducing lengths of stay, increasing adoptions, and improving health and welfare of shelter cats ( 9 , 42 , 43 ). The suggestions described in C4C are based on changes within the shelter: the physical structure, housing, as well as general management ( 44 , 45 ). That is, these refer to modifications that can be made within the shelter and through shelter policies and have resulted in improvements to the functionality of many shelters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct and Indirect Factors Influencing Cat Outcomes at an Animal Shelter

Kilgour

Flockhart²

2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Animal shelters play a vital role for pets, such as transitioning animals between homes, from outdoor communities into homes, caring for unadoptable and community animals, and providing a breadth of veterinary and welfare services. The goal of shelters is to move cats to their appropriate outcome as quickly as possible, which for many animals, is to rehome them as quickly as possible through adoption. Therefore, the ability to identify pre-existing factors, particularly those occurring outside the walls of the shelter, which result in specific outcomes is vital. In this study, we used structural equation modeling to test four hypotheses addressing how to predict cat outcome from a shelter in Washington, D.C. We developed four hypotheses that described how cat outcomes could be predicted, based on four general factors: (1) The characteristics of the cats; (2) The location of origin; (3) The type and date of intake; (4) The length of stay. Using 4 years of data from the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., we found support for each of our hypotheses. Additionally, we tested and found support for a global model, which comprised an amalgamation of our all our predictors. From the global model, we can conclude that many factors are at play in predicting cat outcomes in this shelter and very likely in many others as well. Critically, these factors are interconnected, indicating, for example, that cat characteristics mediate the influence of intake location on outcome type. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of incorporating influences beyond the shelter when attempting to understand cat outcomes. Therefore, to modify cat outcomes most efficiently, such as increasing adoption probabilities, our results show that efforts may be most effective when incorporating multiple factors.

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“…59 If cats are housed communally, the number of square feet per cat must be increased substantially. 61 Cats should neither be subjected to the sight or sound of predator animals being housed in the shelter, as this is likely to increase stress. 62 Ideally, animals displaying clinical signs of IOSD should be separated from healthy cats if being housed in a communal area.…”

Section: Environmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cats housed in enclosures with dimensions of 8–9 square feet or greater have been shown to have a lower incidence of URI 59 . If cats are housed communally, the number of square feet per cat must be increased substantially 61 . Cats should neither be subjected to the sight or sound of predator animals being housed in the shelter, as this is likely to increase stress 62 …”

Section: Prevention and Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of evidence‐based management of infectious ocular surface disease in shelter‐housed domestic cats

Lewin

Hicks

Carter

2023

Veterinary Ophthalmology

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Infectious ocular surface disease (IOSD) is a common problem in shelter‐housed domestic cats and has a widespread negative impact on animal welfare. While the common etiological agents are well‐described, addressing IOSD in large groups of animals presents a management challenge to the clinician and logistical challenges to shelter employees. Treatments, diagnostics, and prevention strategies that are effective in privately owned or experimental animals may be impractical or ineffective in the shelter environment. This review article focuses on the relative prevalence of etiological agents in feline IOSD, practical diagnostic testing protocols, prevention strategies, and treatment of IOSD in shelter‐housed cats. Discrepancies between experimental laboratory‐based studies and clinical trials assessing therapeutics for treatment of feline herpes virus are highlighted. Further high‐quality clinical trials are necessary to determine optimal preventative and therapeutic protocols for IOSD in shelter‐housed cats.

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Shelter housing for cats: Practical aspects of design and construction, and adaptation of existing accommodation

Cited by 10 publications

References 18 publications

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines

Direct and Indirect Factors Influencing Cat Outcomes at an Animal Shelter

A review of evidence‐based management of infectious ocular surface disease in shelter‐housed domestic cats

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