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Cat management in an unregulated shelter environment: Relationship between care provision and cat health in Hong Kong

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

S-K Kong ,
W Watson ,
KM Ho  and
MJ Farnworth
S-K Kong*
Affiliation:
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK
W Watson
Affiliation:
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK
KM Ho
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University & Medical School, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
MJ Farnworth
Affiliation:
The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence: iawelcatproject2017@gmail.com
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Abstract

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Cat (Felis silvestris catus) shelter practices may have important implications for cats’ health and well-being. This study explored the relationship between husbandry practices and cat health in Hong Kong's shelters which are unregulated. Cat health was measured via body condition score (BCS), coat condition and signs of oculo-nasal discharge. A total of 314 cats in 24 cat shelters were assessed. A satisfactory BCS was associated with regular veterinary input, more than once per day disinfection and more than once per day change of water. The presence of oculo-nasal discharge — as a marker for upper respiratory tract infection — was associated with a lack of regular veterinary input and less frequent change of water within the shelter. A lack of regular feeding was the only factor associated with a dull coat. In summary, this study showed that certain husbandry practices had important associations with different aspects of cats’ health for cats housed in an unregulated shelter environment in Hong Kong. These findings provide evidence-based support for husbandry guidelines or regulations for cat shelters which could have a positive impact on shelter cats’ health and welfare.

Keywords

animal welfarecat healthcat sheltersfeeding regimehusbandryregulation
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , November 2021 , pp. 449 - 459
Copyright
© 2021 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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