Attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Households in Ohio.


METHODS
A random-digit-dial telephone survey was performed, and 1,250 households were contacted.


RESULTS
703 of the 1,250 (56.2%) households completed interviews. Five hundred fifty-three (78.7%) participants reported seeing free-roaming cats at least occasionally, and 184 (26.2%) reported having fed free-roaming cats during the previous year. However, only 42 (22.8%) participants who fed free-roaming cats had ever taken one to a veterinarian, and 43 (23.4%) participants who fed free-roaming cats reported that at least one of the free-roaming cats had produced a litter in the preceding year. Differences existed between cat owners and other participants and among urban, suburban, and rural residents in regard to their attitudes toward free-roaming cats and the need for government regulations.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that free-roaming cats were common in Ohio, but that attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats differed between cat owners and other participants and among participants grouped on the basis of residential area. Thus, developing statewide approaches for regulating free-roaming cats may be challenging or unrealistic.
Lord
Linda K
LK
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001290:Attitude; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002369:Castration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D010067:Ownership / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011155:Population Control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires