title: Community Attitudes and Practices of Urban Residents Regarding Predation by Pet Cats on Wildlife: An International Comparison.
abstract: International differences in practices and attitudes regarding pet cats' interactions with wildlife were assessed by surveying citizens from at least two cities in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, China and Japan. Predictions tested were: (i) cat owners would agree less than non-cat owners that cats might threaten wildlife, (ii) cat owners value wildlife less than non-cat owners, (iii) cat owners are less accepting of cat legislation/restrictions than non-owners, and (iv) respondents from regions with high endemic biodiversity (Australia, New Zealand, China and the USA state of Hawaii) would be most concerned about pet cats threatening wildlife. Everywhere non-owners were more likely than owners to agree that pet cats killing wildlife were a problem in cities, towns and rural areas. Agreement amongst non-owners was highest in Australia (95%) and New Zealand (78%) and lowest in the UK (38%). Irrespective of ownership, over 85% of respondents from all countries except China (65%) valued wildlife in cities, towns and rural areas. Non-owners advocated cat legislation more strongly than owners except in Japan. Australian non-owners were the most supportive (88%), followed by Chinese non-owners (80%) and Japanese owners (79.5%). The UK was least supportive (non-owners 43%, owners 25%). Many Australian (62%), New Zealand (51%) and Chinese owners (42%) agreed that pet cats killing wildlife in cities, towns and rural areas was a problem, while Hawaiian owners were similar to the mainland USA (20%). Thus high endemic biodiversity might contribute to attitudes in some, but not all, countries. Husbandry practices varied internationally, with predation highest where fewer cats were confined. Although the risk of wildlife population declines caused by pet cats justifies precautionary action, campaigns based on wildlife protection are unlikely to succeed outside Australia or New Zealand. Restrictions on roaming protect wildlife and benefit cat welfare, so welfare is a better rationale.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nigel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: J Stuart
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, United States of America.
authors.forename: Alisa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Dickman
authors.affiliation: College of Bio-resource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsumugi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: College of Bio-resource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States of America.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lepczyk
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: E Anne
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Irene M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Styles
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, University of Otago, PO Box 54, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Heezik
authors.affiliation: College of Bio-resource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Ferian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Calver
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001290:Attitude; D002415:Cats; D038622:Internationality; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population