EFFECTS OF QUARANTINE ON CATS AND THEIR OWNERS

The effects of quarantine on 16 cats and their owners were assessed by means of four questionnaires completed by the owners at the beginning of their cat's stay in quarantine, three months later, and two weeks and three months after the fats left quarantine, Changes in body condi tion were evident in two-thirds of the cats during and at the end of q uarantine but not three months later. Mid-way through quarantine, the owners considered their cats were less attached to them, less relaxed, more excitable, more aggressive, more nervous and less playful than b efore quarantine, When they left quarantine the cats were friendlier, more affectionate and more timid, and three months later they were mor e affectionate, more nervous and more vocal than before quarantine. Wh en they left quarantine and three months later the cats spent more tim e with their owners than before quarantine. Most owners visited their cats once or twice a month; the location of the cattery and the limite d opening hours restricted the number of visits they made.