Attitudes and care practices of cat caretakers in Hawaii

Individuals who were maintaining colonies of homeless, free-roaming cats on the island of Oahu were surveyed to learn about the attitudes and care pra ctices associated with colony maintenance. The 75 respondents were primaril y female pet owners, middle-aged living with spouses, well-educated, and em ployed full time, dispelling the image of caretakers as elderly, socially-i so lated individuals. Most of the them believed that outdoor cat colonies s hould continue to exist and that colony maintenance is a way of curbing pet overpopulation so long as the cats are sterilized. The majority of respond ents had been maintaining cat colonies for two to four years. All caretaker s reported having attempted to socialize the cats and nearly half had been successful in adopting out cats. Most were caring for one colony consisting of fewer than 10 animals which were fed once or twice daily. All caretaker s were making efforts to frap the cats and take them for sterilization and veterinary care. Although many took advantage of the Hawaiian Humane Societ y's free sterilization program for colony cats, some caretakers paid out-of -pocket for sterilization and more than half reported paying for all veteri nary care. Love of cats, opportunity for nurturing, and enhanced feelings o f self-esteem appear to be some of the factors underlying the remarkable co mmitment of the caretakers. Colony management may not be practical in some areas due to risks to wildlife and human health. However; where feasible, t he availability of individuals willing to provide ongoing, responsible care to these animals may be a significant resource for animal welfare and cont rol organizations.