The increasing adoption potential of undersocialized cats: Blessing or curse? |
Jacklyn J Ellis, Kyrsten J Janke, Nicole Furgala. Toronto Humane Society, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
With cat intake numbers falling and adoption rates rising, shelters are increasingly likely to place cats with questionable socialization histories, and adopters are more willing to take in poorly socialized cats. However, there has been no investigation of the well-being of poorly socialized cats in their adoptive homes or the experience of these adopters. Accordingly, adopters of 57 adult cats identified as undersocialized and 155 control cats (not suspected of being undersocialized) were surveyed about their cat’s behaviour and their own satisfaction. Control cats were rated as less fearful, more affectionate, more likely to engage when approached (by either a stranger or their adopter), and more likely to enjoy petting (by either a stranger or their adopter) than undesocialized cats. Owners of control cats also reported greater satisfaction and were more likely to state both that they love their cat and that their cat would be happier in a home environment than regularly fed outdoors. Results suggest that although it is becoming more possible to place undersocialized cats in homes, these environments may not be in the best interests of the cats’ or adopters’ quality-of-life. |