The feral cats are defined as unowned cats, not confined and roam freely that share with human beings the anthropic environment (LEVY and CRAWFORD, 2004), they live and feed in close proximity, grouped in colonies (SLATER, 2005).Voluntary citizens, called “caretakers”, provide them food and shelter, basic veterinary care and participate in sterilization programs (CENTONZE and LEVY, 2002). In 2008, in the city of Turin was estimated the presence of about 1300 colonies, but this number has never been confirmed by a survey on the field. In 2013, we started the “Gat.TO Project”, in collaboration with the Municipality of Turin, to take a census of feral cats, deepen the knowledge of their behavior and welfare, study the relationship between the caretakers and cats, highlighting the management problems of colonies. In particular we analyzed the relation between the expenses incurred by the caretakers and the index of wealth of the district in which they live. We submitted a questionnaire to the caretakers, which is made up of 39 questions, grouped into 7 sections: caretaker demographics, evaluation of time and help for the colony, expenses (food, sterilizations, medical care, substitutes), characteristics of cats, site of the colony (security, complaints and ill-treatment), hygiene and health, satisfaction and availability of caretakers. Our results, on 192 colonies, showed that 87% of caretakers was female, 45.5% was retired and 49% went to the colony twice daily; 76% did not receive any form of help. There was a positive correlation between the expenses incurred by the caretakers and the index of wealth of the district, only statistically significantly for the substitutes (rho=0.66; p=0.03). Mean colony size was 7 cats, only 45% neutered. Complaints and ill-treatment occurred for the 33% and 15% of colonies respectively. In conclusion, caretakers have a strong bond with the feral cats, employing both time and money in their care, regardless of the degree of wealth of the territory in which they live, but only those that live in rich district can pay substitutes during their periods of absence. It is necessary more aid for the caretakers, both economic and to ensure the safety and welfare of cats, increasing the link with the Municipality. We intend to continue the census, study the relationships of cats within and among colonies, and the movement of cats in relation to the sources of urban pollution.
Gat.To Project: analysis and monitoring of Feral Cats (Felis catus) and their caretakers in the city of Turin (Italy)
OZELLA, Laura;BOLLANI, Luigi;PESSANI, Daniela
2014-01-01
Abstract
The feral cats are defined as unowned cats, not confined and roam freely that share with human beings the anthropic environment (LEVY and CRAWFORD, 2004), they live and feed in close proximity, grouped in colonies (SLATER, 2005).Voluntary citizens, called “caretakers”, provide them food and shelter, basic veterinary care and participate in sterilization programs (CENTONZE and LEVY, 2002). In 2008, in the city of Turin was estimated the presence of about 1300 colonies, but this number has never been confirmed by a survey on the field. In 2013, we started the “Gat.TO Project”, in collaboration with the Municipality of Turin, to take a census of feral cats, deepen the knowledge of their behavior and welfare, study the relationship between the caretakers and cats, highlighting the management problems of colonies. In particular we analyzed the relation between the expenses incurred by the caretakers and the index of wealth of the district in which they live. We submitted a questionnaire to the caretakers, which is made up of 39 questions, grouped into 7 sections: caretaker demographics, evaluation of time and help for the colony, expenses (food, sterilizations, medical care, substitutes), characteristics of cats, site of the colony (security, complaints and ill-treatment), hygiene and health, satisfaction and availability of caretakers. Our results, on 192 colonies, showed that 87% of caretakers was female, 45.5% was retired and 49% went to the colony twice daily; 76% did not receive any form of help. There was a positive correlation between the expenses incurred by the caretakers and the index of wealth of the district, only statistically significantly for the substitutes (rho=0.66; p=0.03). Mean colony size was 7 cats, only 45% neutered. Complaints and ill-treatment occurred for the 33% and 15% of colonies respectively. In conclusion, caretakers have a strong bond with the feral cats, employing both time and money in their care, regardless of the degree of wealth of the territory in which they live, but only those that live in rich district can pay substitutes during their periods of absence. It is necessary more aid for the caretakers, both economic and to ensure the safety and welfare of cats, increasing the link with the Municipality. We intend to continue the census, study the relationships of cats within and among colonies, and the movement of cats in relation to the sources of urban pollution.
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