Presentation Details
| Understanding behavior and activity of adult shelter cat pairs categorized as bonded and non-bonded Jennifer K Link, Carly M Moody. University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA |
Abstract
Many animal shelters designate some cat pairs as “bonded”, meaning they must be adopted together due to perceptions that separation would cause distress. No evidence-based method of determining bonded status exists, and no data exists on the social behaviors of cat pairs in the shelter. We aimed to assess social behavior and activity level of pair-housed adult shelter cats deemed bonded versus non-bonded. Thirty-five cat pairs were observed using 24-hour continuous video recording. Bonded cats (n=15 pairs) were categorized based on shelter designation while non-bonded cats (n=20 pairs) included other pair-housed cats. Behaviors scored included affiliative behaviors, agonistic behaviors, and activity. A negative binomial regression revealed an interaction between time of day and affiliative interactions, with bonded cats being more likely to perform these interactions at night (p=0.04). Overall, all behaviors were more frequent at night, including affiliative (p=0.001), agonistic (p=0.007), and active behaviors (p< 0.001). This research contributes to our understanding of bonded pair social interactions, and may be used to inform shelter housing, management, and adoption strategies.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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