Cat owers survey 2014 Prepared for: Pam Whetall Project Officer Dog ad Cat Maagemet Board Prepared by: Natasha Kapulski Research Associate for Marketig Sciece T. (08) 8302 0137 Date of issue: 7 April 2014 www.marketigsciece.ifo
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report details fidigs from a cat owers survey udertake by the (the Istitute), Uiversity of South Australia, o behalf of the Dog ad Cat Maagemet Board (the Board). The key objectives of this research was to uderstad ad quatify the: Icidece of owed cats i South Australia (ad how may cats owers have); Demographics of cat owers (where they live i South Australia, geder ad age); Characteristics of owed cats (geder, age ad registratio with local coucil); Desexig (desexig icidece, desexig age, reasos ot to desex, kowledge aroud desexig ad uplaed litter); Microchipped ad collar/tag icidece; Cofiemet (how owed cats are kept, reasos for keepig cats idoor, cat eclosures ad behaviour of cats kept off property); ad Cat maagemet (kowledge aroud hutig wildlife, local coucil cat maagemet, local coucil cat by-law ad reportig cat issues). Data was collected betwee the 24 th of February ad the 4 th of March 2014 from South Australia cat owers, members of a olie pael. Usig a olie pael we could reach the target audiece, while havig a sample that represets the cat ower populatio. The pael is widespread geographically allowig us to deliver respodets who are hard to reach. Also, it provides higher respose rates, reducig o-respose bias ad delivers faster results. I total, 608 respodets, who ow at least oe cat, completed the survey. The key fidigs from this research are outlied below. Icidece of owed cats i South Australia To select respodets for the survey, the first questio asked was whether the respodet had ay cats ad if yes, how may. There was a icidece of 43% of cat owers withi the sample. 57% of the respodets did ot ow ay cats, hece were screeed out. Withi cat owers, six i 10 respodets owed oe cat, three i 10 owed two cats ad oe i 10 owed three or more cats. For the respodets who owed more tha oe cat, all fidigs relate to the owers most recetly acquired cat. Demographics of cat owers The sample cosisted of 65% of respodets from metropolita regios ad 35% from regioal areas. This is broadly ilie with the geographical spread of the populatio. The most represeted coucils were Adelaide (14%), Campbelltow (7%), Okapariga (6%) ad Adelaide Hills (5%) all metropolita. The sample was slightly skewed to female respodets: there were approximately six i 10 female ad four i 10 male respodets. This skew was probably due to the ature of the sample. The sample was skewed to youger owers of cats: there were approximately seve i 10 respodets aged from 18 to 44 years old ad three i 10 aged 45 years old or over. Agai, this skew was probably due to the ature of the sample (more youger people part of the olie pael).
Characteristics of owed cats There was a relatively eve split betwee owers of male ad female cats (55% female cats versus 45% male cats). More tha half of the cats were adult (aged from oe to eight years). Three i 10 cats were kittes (from eight weeks to 12 moths of age) ad less tha two i 10 were seior (over eight years old). Approximately half of the cats were registered with their local coucil. However, we believe respodets misuderstood the questio as residets of coucils that do ot have registratio available affirmed that they have registered their cats. This should be reviewed for future surveys. Desexig Eight i 10 cats were desexed. There were fewer kittes ad more seior cats desexed two thirds of the kittes were desexed while more tha ie i 10 seiors had udergoe the procedure. Also, older respodets were more likely to desex their cats (90% 45+ years old versus 75% 18-44 years old). Half of the cats were youger kittes whe desexed, beig three to six moths old. The mai reaso for respodets ot to desex their cat was it beig too youg, as stated out by four i 10 respodets. The cost of desexig procedure ad willigess to breed were also commoly metioed by respodets (25% ad 20%, respectively). Whe asked from what age respodets thik a cat ca have kittes, three i 10 aswered six moths ad a high three i 10 cat owers were usure about this questio. However, the typical age whe cats ca have kittes is aroud five moths of age (while uusual pregacy has bee reported i cats as youg as four moths of age). Oly 10% of the respodets have chose this optio, hece, 90% have misiformatio or do ot kow. Six i 10 respodets did ot believe cats should have a litter of kittes before beig desexed. Two i 10 respodets had experieced their cat havig a uplaed litter. Of those who said they believe cats should have a litter of kittes before they are desexed, half of the owers claimed to have had a uplaed litter. Microchippig ad collar/tag Six i 10 respodets had their cat microchipped. Older respodets were slightly less likely to microchip their cats (52% of respodets aged 45+ years old microchipped their cats, compared to 52% for the total sample). Aroud six i 10 respodets had their cat wearig a collar/tag. There were more kittes ad less seior cats wearig a collar/tag 76% of kittes ad 40% of seiors. Also, older respodets (45+ years old) were less likely to put a collar/tag i their cats while youger respodets (18-44 years old) were more likely to (49% versus 73%, respectively). Whe combiig the results, eight i 10 respodets had their cats microchipped or with a collar/tag ad approximately half had both. Desexig ad microchippig Approximately ie i 10 cats were microchipped or desexed. However oly half of the cats were both microchipped ad desexed (higher icidece of desexig ad slightly lower icidece of microchippig).
Cofiemet 34% of owed cats were kept idoors all the time, 23% idoors at ight oly, 20% idoors with purpose built cat ru/eclosure ad 16% outdoors with free access off the property. Of the respodets who kept their cat idoors all the time or idoors with purpose built cat ru/eclosure, seve i 10 claimed to do so due to the risk of ijury/disease ad six i 10 to protect wildlife. Of the respodets who kept their cat idoors with purpose built cat ru/eclosure, six i 10 bought a cat eclosure ad four i 10 built their ow. Of the respodets who kept their cat idoors at ight oly or kept it outdoors with free access off the property: o o o o Six i 10 claimed their cat is off property for oe to four hours a day; Seve i 10 believed their cat stays i the street; Nie i 10 said they provide water to their cat whe off property, seve i 10 provided shelter ad approximately seve i 10 provided food; ad Six i 10 respodets claimed their cat catches prey. The most commo claimed preys caught were rodets (59%), birds (38%) ad lizards (26%). Cat maagemet Seve i 10 respodets agreed that cats hutig wildlife is a problem. The most commo forms of cat hutig prevetio were: puttig a bell o the cat s collar (50%), keepig the cat i at ight (42%) ad keepig the cat idoors at all times (40%). Half of the respodets were aware that their local coucil is resposible for cat maagemet but the other half were ot. This was similar across both metropolita ad regioal coucils. Half of the respodets were usure whether their local coucil had a cat by-law. Oly about a quarter of the respodets were aware of such by-laws. Campbelltow had a sigificatly higher icidece of respodets aware of cat by-laws (50%) ad Okapariga had a lower icidece (0%). Eight i 10 respodets had ever cotacted their coucil i relatio to a cat issue. Oly two i 10 cat owers reported issues. Okapariga had a lower icidece of owers that reported cat issues (6%). The mai cat issues reported were cats killig wildlife (34%), uisace (32%), locatio of stray cats (31%), eighbourhood cats usig the garde as toilet (29%) ad damage to property (24%). Based o these results, we have the followig recommedatios: Respodets misuderstood the term registratio with local coucil ; hece, eed to be better iformed o this matter. There is also a opportuity for better desexig istructio. Firstly, although may cats are desexed, a relatively high proportio of the kitte populatio is ot. Secodly, the mai reaso for ot desexig a cat was it beig too youg. Moreover, most of the respodets have misiformatio or do ot kow at what age cats ca have kittes. Fially, of the respodets who believe cats ca have a litter of kittes before they are desexed, half of the respodets claimed to have had a uplaed litter. As cats ca have a litter of kitte i a early age (from five moths old), owers eed better desexig educatio. There are cats who are ot microchipped or do t wear a collar/tag. This is the case maily for uregistered cats. This presets aother opportuity for cat ower istructio. There are educatio opportuities for the Board ad coucil regardig behaviour of cats that are kept off property. There are may cat owers who are usure of what their cat does while off property. Half of the respodets i metropolita ad regioal coucils were ot aware of local coucil cat maagemet. Also, three-quarter of the respodets were uaware of coucil cat by-law. Hece, marketig commuicatios could to be improved to reach more cat owers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 6 Data collectio, sample ad aalysis... 7 INCIDENCE OF OWNED CATS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA... 8 DEMOGRAPHICS OF CAT OWERS... 9 Where respodets live... 9 Respodets geder... 10 Respodets age... 10 CHARACTERISTICS OF OWNED CATS... 11 Cat s geder... 11 Cat s age... 11 Registratio with local coucil... 12 DESEXING... 13 Desexig icidece... 13 Desexig age... 14 Reasos ot to desex... 14 Kowledge aroud desexig... 15 Uplaed litter... 16 MICROCHIPPING AND COLLAR/TAG... 17 DESEXING AND MICROCHIPPING... 19 CONFINEMENT... 20 How owed cats are kept... 20 Reasos for keepig cats idoors... 20 Cat eclosure... 21 Behaviour of cats kept off property... 21 CAT MANAGEMENT... 23 Cat hutig wildlife... 23 Local coucil cat maagemet... 24 Local coucil cat by-law... 25 Reportig cat issues... 26 APPENDIX... 27 Questioaire... 27
INTRODUCTION This report details fidigs from survey udertake by the (the Istitute), Uiversity of South Australia, o behalf of the Dog ad Cat Maagemet Board (the Board). The aim of the research was to ivestigate volutary compliace towards microchippig, desexig ad cofiemet of owed cats i South Australia. The atioal statistics from the Departmet of Agriculture, Fisheries ad Forestry (DAFF) 1 show that approximately 82 to 94% of the registered owed cat populatio is desexed. However, this is ot required or eforced by may coucils aroud Australia. Oly 41% of the owed cat populatio is registered. Estimates are that oly 8% of the uregistered owed cat populatio is desexed ad that oly 33% of cats youger tha six moths old ad 70% at six moths of age are desexed. Approximately 13% of female cats are thought to have had at least oe litter before beig desexed. The atioal statistics data is, ufortuately, poor quality ad is extrapolated from cat food purchasig data. Hece, this research project beefits the Board by providig accurate ad reliable statistical data of the South Australia cat populatio. This could assist i iformig targeted cat maagemet strategies ad providig baselie/bechmark data for future evaluatio/measuremet. The key objectives of this study are to uderstad ad quatify the: Icidece of owed cats i South Australia (ad how may cats owers have); Demographics of cat owers (where they live i South Australia, geder ad age); Characteristics of owed cats (geder, age ad registratio with local coucil); Desexig (desexig icidece, desexig age, reasos ot to desex, kowledge aroud desexig ad uplaed litter); Microchipped ad collar/tag icidece; Cofiemet (how owed cats are kept, reasos for keepig cats idoor, cat eclosures ad behaviour of cats kept off property); ad Cat maagemet (kowledge aroud hutig wildlife, local coucil cat maagemet, local coucil cat by-law ad reportig cat issues). 1 Throughout the report, all metios from the Departmet of Agriculture, Fisheries ad Forestry were obtaied from <http://www.daff.gov.au/aimal-plathealth/welfare/aaws/aaws_iteratioal_aimal_welfare_coferece/australia_asks_whos_for_cats/reproductive_capacity_of_t he_cat?sq_design_name=spaced&sq_action=set_desig_ame>. 6
Data collectio, sample ad aalysis Data was collected betwee the 24 th of February ad the 4 th of March 2014 from South Australia cat owers, members of a olie pael. Usig a olie pael we could reach the target audiece, while havig a sample that represets the cat ower populatio. The pael is widespread geographically allowig us to deliver respodets who are hard to reach. Also, it provides higher respose rates, reducig o-respose bias ad delivers faster results. I total, 608 respodets, who ow at least oe cat, completed the survey. All respodets lived i South Australia, with 65% from the metropolita ad 35% from regioal areas. The Istitute, as a idepedet research body, desiged the questioaire, aalysed the data ad drew together this report. The differeces highlighted throughout the report are statistically sigificat at p<0.05 (i.e. usig a 95% cofidece iterval). The symbols é ad ê are used to idicate higher or lower results for a specific group i compariso to the total sample. Rather tha poit out all statistically sigificat differeces, we discuss oly those that are meaigfully importat (clearly impact the results). 7
INCIDENCE OF OWNED CATS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA The survey bega askig respodets how may cats they owed. Table 1 shows that there were 1,425 respodets who started the survey but 817 did ot ow ay cats, hece, did ot cotiue with the survey (57% were screeed out). This gives a icidece of 43% of cat owers withi the sample. Withi cat owers, the majority of cat owers have just oe cat: approximately six i 10 respodets owed oe cat ad three i 10 owed two cats. The results from this preset study are similar to those collected by the Board from cat owers at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013. I this study, 58% of the respodets owed oly oe cat compared to 53% from the Royal Adelaide Show survey (=1,088; with results ot sigificatly differet at p<0.05). Table 1: Icidece of owed cats i South Australia % Out of the whole sample (=1,025) % Withi cat owers (=608)* Oe 355 25 58 Two 180 13 30 Three 35 2 6 Four or more 38 3 6 I do t ow ay cats 817 57 - Total 1,425 100 100 Average umber of cats 608-1.6 *43% of the total sample. For those who owed more tha oe cat, all followig fidigs are related to the owers most recetly acquired cat. 8
DEMOGRAPHICS OF CAT OWERS Where respodets live Respodets were asked where they lived i South Australia. Table 2 shows that 65% of the respodets were from the metropolita regio ad 35% from regioal areas. This is broadly ilie with the geographical spread of the populatio. Table 3 shows that the most represeted coucils were Adelaide (14%), Campbelltow (7%), Okapariga (6%) ad Adelaide Hills (5%) all metropolita coucils. Table 2: Where respodets live % (=608) South Australia metropolita 396 65 South Australia regioal 212 35 Total 608 100 Table 3: Coucil of residece % (=608) Adelaide 87 14 Campbelltow 44 7 Okapariga 35 6 Adelaide Hills 33 5 Charles Sturt 27 4 Tea Tree Gully 25 4 Salisbury 22 4 Alexadria 20 3 Barossa 20 3 Playford 19 3 Mario 18 3 Port Adelaide Efield 15 2 Prospect 15 2 Burside 11 2 Mout Gambier 11 2 West Torres 10 2 Gawler 9 1 Grat 9 1 Mitcham 9 1 Mout Barker 9 1 Murray Bridge 9 1 Port Licol 9 1 Fliders Rages 8 1 Norther Areas 8 1 Wattle Rage 8 1 Copper Coast 7 1 Mid Murray 7 1 Port Pirie 7 1 Victor Harbor 7 1 Baruga West 5 1 Holdfast Bay 5 1 Uley 5 1 Berri Barmera 4 1 Cedua 4 1 Light Regioal 4 1 Norwood, Payeham & St Peters 4 1 Port Augusta 4 1 Wakefield 4 1 Frakli Harbour 3 <1 Goyder 3 <1 Mallala 3 <1 Naracoorte Lucidale 3 <1 Roxby Dows 3 <1 Walkerville 3 <1 Whyalla 3 <1 Yakalilla 3 <1 Clare ad Gilbert Valleys 2 <1 Cleve 2 <1 Coober Pedy 2 <1 Coorog 2 <1 Peterborough 2 <1 Souther Mallee 2 <1 Streaky Bay 2 <1 Tatiara 2 <1 Tumby Bay 2 <1 Aagu Pitjatjatjara Yakuytjatjara 1 <1 Ellisto 1 <1 Kagaroo Islad 1 <1 Kimba 1 <1 Kigsto 1 <1 Lower Eyre Peisula 1 <1 Remark Pariga 1 <1 Wudia 1 <1 Yorke Peisula 1 <1 Total 608 100 9
Respodets geder Respodets were asked their geder. Table 4 shows that the sample was slightly skewed to female respodets: there were approximately six i 10 female ad four i 10 male respodets (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). This skew was probably due to the ature of the olie sample. Table 4: Respodet s geder % (=608) Female 349 57 Male 259 43 Total 608 100 Respodets age Table 5 shows that the sample was skewed to youger respodets: there were approximately seve i 10 respodets aged from 18 to 44 years ad three i 10 respodets aged 45 years ad over (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). This skew was probably due to the ature of the olie sample (more youger people part of the pael). Table 5: Respodet s age % (=608) 18-24 years old 117 19 25-34 years old 187 31 68% 35-44 years old 110 18 45-54 years old 71 12 55-64 years old 72 12 65-74 years old 42 7 32% 75-84 years old 8 1 85 years old or over 1 <1 Total 608 100 10
CHARACTERISTICS OF OWNED CATS Cat s geder Respodets were asked what was the geder of their most recetly acquired cat. Table 6 shows that there was a relatively eve split betwee the geder of cats, with a slight skew to female cats. The results from this study (55% of female cats) are similar to those collected by the Board from cat owers at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013 (54% of female cats; =1,040; results ot sigificatly differet at p<0.05). Table 6: Cat geder % (=608) Female 332 55 Male 276 45 Total 608 100 Cat s age Respodets were asked what the age of their most recetly acquired cat was. Table 7 shows that more tha half of the cats were adults, aged from oe to eight years. Three i 10 cats were kittes (aged from eight weeks to 12 moths) ad approximately two i 10 were seior (aged over eight years old). The results from this curret study (55% of adult cats) are similar to those collected at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013 (55% of adult cats; =1,057; results ot sigificatly differet at p<0.05). Table 7: Cat age % (=608) Kitte (8 weeks to 12 moths) 173 28 Adult (12 moths to 8 years) 336 55 Seior (8 years plus) 99 16 Total 608 100 11
Registratio with local coucil Respodets were asked whether their most recetly acquired cat was registered with their local coucil. Table 8 shows that approximately half of the cats were registered. Four i 10 owers had ot registered their cats ad oe i 10 were usure about the registratio. However, these results might ot be a accurate represetatio of the populatio sice oly four coucils have registratio available at the momet: Mitcham, Victor Harbour, Kagaroo Islad ad Roxby Dows. Respodets probably misuderstood the questio Is your most recetly acquired cat registered with your local Coucil? as residets of coucils that do ot have registratio available affirmed that they have registered their cats. Table 8: Registratio with local coucil % (=608) Registered 293 48 Not registered 252 41 Not sure 63 10 Total 608 100 12
DESEXING Desexig icidece Respodets were asked whether their most recetly acquired cat was desexed. Table 9 shows that eight i 10 cats were desexed. We ca compare this result with bechmark data collected at the Royal Adelaide Show i 2013. The previous study showed a higher desexig icidece 91% of desexed cats (=1,089; statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Table 9: Desexig icidece % (=608) Desexed 486 80 Not desexed 122 20 Total 608 100 Table 10 shows that whe aalysig desexig by cat age, there were fewer kittes ad more seiors desexed two thirds of the kittes were desexed while ie i 10 seiors had udergoe the procedure (sigificat at p<0.05). Table 10: Desexig by cat age (%) % Kitte (=173) % Adult (=336) % Seior (=99) % Total sample (=608) Desexed 66 ê 83 94é 80 Not desexed 34 é 17 6 ê 20 Total 100 100 100 100 Table 11 shows that whe aalysig desexig by respodet age, older respodets (45+ years old) were more likely to desex their cats ie i 10 respodets desexed their cats compared to eight i 10 from the total sample (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Table 11: Desexig by respodet age (%) % 18-44 years old (=414) % 45+ years old (=194) % Total sample (=608) Desexed 75 90 é 80 Not desexed 25 10 ê 20 Total 100 100 100 13
Desexig age Respodets who had their most recetly acquired cat desexed were asked at what age the cat had udergoe the procedure. Table 12 shows that half of the cats were kittes whe desexed, beig three to six moths old. The result of this curret study (47% of cats desexed at the age of three to six moths) is lower tha that collected by the Board at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013 (66%; =585; statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Table 12: Desexig age % (=486) 3-6 moths 227 47 7-12 moths 151 31 Over 12 moths 58 12 Not sure 50 10 Total 486 100 Reasos ot to desex Respodets who did ot desex their most recetly acquired cat were asked what was the mai reaso for this. Table 13 shows that four i 10 respodets selected beig too youg as the mai reaso. Respodets also poited out the cost of the desexig procedure ad willigess to breed (25% ad 20%, respectively). We ca compare these results with the fidigs from the survey collected by the Board from cat owers at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013. The previous study showed that feelig the cat was too youg (33%; =95) ad the cost of the desexig procedure (31%; =95) were also the mai reasos ot to desex their cat. Table 13: Reasos ot to desex % (=122) Too youg 50 41 Cost of desexig procedure 30 25 Wat to breed 25 20 Too old 2 2 Other* 15 12 Total 122 100 * Other reasos such as: cruel/uatural, usure if the cat has already bee desexed, stray cat, too risky for this specific cat. 14
Kowledge aroud desexig Respodet s kowledge of desexig was examied. First, they were asked from what age they thik a cat ca have kittes. Table 14 shows that three i 10 respodets aswered six moths ad other three i 10 respodets were usure about the questio. However, the typical age whe cats ca have kittes is aroud five moths of age (while uusual pregacy has bee reported i cats as youg as four moths of age). Oly 10% of the respodets have chose this optio, hece, 90% have misiformatio or do ot kow. Table 14: From what age cats ca have kittes % (=608) 3 moths 53 9 4 moths 54 9 5 moths 63 10 6 moths 167 27 1 year 93 15 Not sure 178 29 Total 608 100 Respodets were the asked if they believe that a cat should have a litter of kittes before it is desexed. Table 15 shows that most respodets did ot agree with the statemet six i 10 respodets did ot believe cats should have kittes before the desexig procedure. We ca compare these results with a cross-sectioal telephoe survey obtaied from cat ower households i the UK i 2011 2. The UK study showed that 23% of the respodets believed a female cat should have a litter before beig desexed (=682). This is similar to the results foud i this survey 24% of the respodets believed cats should have a litter of kittes before beig desexed (results are ot sigificatly differet at p<0.05). Table 15: Should a cat have a litter of kittes before it is desexed? % (=608) No 365 60 Yes 145 24 Not sure 98 16 Total 608 100 2 Throughout this report, all metios to this UK paper were obtaied from <http://veteriaryrecord.bmj.com/cotet/174/5/118.full.html>. 15
Uplaed litter The last questio i the desexig sectio was whether the respodet s cat had had a uplaed litter. Table 16 shows that three-quarters of respodets had ot experieced their cat havig a uplaed litter. However, whe cosiderig those who said that they believe cats should have a litter of kittes before they are desexed, half of the respodets claimed to have had a uplaed litter. A reaso for this could be that itetios are a reflectio of past behaviour. The DAFF atioal statistics show that approximately 13% of female cats had at least oe litter before beig desexed. However, this preset survey preseted a higher result of 22% (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). We ca compare these results with a cat ower survey from the UK i 2011. The UK study showed that 13% of the respodets reported a accidetal litter of kittes (=426). This is slightly lower tha the results foud i this curret survey where 22% of the respodets claimed a uplaed litter (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Table 16: Uplaed litter % (=332)* No 248 75 Yes 74 22 Not sure 10 3 Total 332 100 * Female cats oly. 16
MICROCHIPPING AND COLLAR/TAG Respodets were asked whether their most recetly acquired cat was microchipped ad if it wears a collar/tag. Results are preseted i Table 17. Six i 10 respodets had their cat microchipped. Also aroud six i 10 respodets had a cat wearig a collar/tag. Whe combiig the results, eight i 10 respodets had their cats microchipped or with a collar/tag ad approximately half had both. The microchippig result from this curret study (62% of microchipped cats) is slightly lower tha the oe collected by the Board from cat owers at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013 (67% of microchipped cats; =1,081; statistically sigificat differet at p<0.05). Table 17: Microchippig ad collar/tag Microchippig % (=608) Microchipped 378 62 Not microchipped 230 38 Collar/tag Wears a collar/tag 398 65 Does ot wear a collar/tag 210 35 Combied results Total microchipped OR wears a collar/tag 494 81 Total microchipped AND wears a collar/tag 282 46 Total ot microchipped NOR wears a collar/tag 114 19 Table 18 shows microchippig ad collar/tag by cat age. There were o sigificat differeces for microchippig (at p<0.05). However, there were more kittes ad fewer seior cats that wear a collar/tag 76% of kittes ad 40% of seiors (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Table 18: Microchippig ad collar/tag by cat age (%) Microchippig % Kitte (=173) % Adult (=336) % Seior (=99) % Total sample (=608) Microchipped 64 64 53 62 Not microchipped 36 36 47 38 Total 100 100 100 100 Collar/tag Wears a collar/tag 76 é 67 40 ê 65 Does ot wear a collar/tag 24 ê 33 60 é 35 Total 100 100 100 100 17
Table 19 shows the use of microchippig ad collar/tag by the respodet s age. Older respodets (45+ years old) were less likely to microchip their cats five i 10 respodets microchipped their cats compared to six i 10 from the total sample (statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Also, older respodets were less likely to put a collar/tag o their cats while youger respodets (18-44 years old) were more likely (49% versus 73%, respectively). Table 19: Microchippig ad collar/tag by respodet age (%) Microchippig % 18-44 years old (=414) % 45+ years old (=194) % Total sample (=608) Microchipped 67 52 ê 62 Not microchipped 33 48 é 38 Total 100 100 100 Collar/tag Wears a collar/tag 73 é 49 ê 65 Does ot wear a collar/tag 27 ê 51 é 35 Total 100 100 100 18
DESEXING AND MICROCHIPPING Table 20 shows the combied results for desexig ad microchippig. Approximately ie i 10 cats were microchipped or desexed. However, oly half of the cats were both microchipped ad desexed (higher icidece of desexig ad slightly lower icidece of microchippig). We ca compare these results with the fidigs from survey collected by the Board from cat owers at the Royal Adelaide Show 2013. The previous study showed a higher icidece of cats that were microchipped ad desexed (65%, =1,080, versus 54% as poited out i this preset research; statistically sigificat at p<0.05). Table 20: Desexig ad microchippig % (=608) Total microchipped OR desexed 535 88 Total microchipped AND desexed 329 54 Total ot microchipped NOR desexed 73 12 19
CONFINEMENT How owed cats are kept Respodets were asked how they keep their most recetly acquired cat. The results are preseted i Table 21 ad show that three i 10 cats were kept idoors at all times. Table 21: How owed cats are kept % (=608) Idoors oly 204 34 Idoors at ight oly 137 23 Idoors with purpose built cat ru/eclosure 119 20 Outdoors with free access off the property 97 16 Other 51 8 Total 608 100 * Most other reasos were both idoor ad outdoor or free to come ad go. We suggest icludig the optio idoor ad outdoor i future surveys. Reasos for keepig cats idoors Respodets who keep their most recetly acquired cat idoors oly or idoors with a purpose built cat ru/eclosure were asked for their reasos for keepig their cat idoors/o property. They were prompted with a list of reasos plus the optio other. Table 22 presets the results. Seve i 10 respodets claimed to keep their cat idoors because of risk of ijury/disease. The secod most popular reaso was to protect wildlife, with six i 10 respodets choosig this optio. Table 22: Reasos for keepig cats idoor % (=323)* Risk of ijury/disease 228 71 Protect wildlife 193 60 To preserve good eighbourhood relatios 125 39 Other** 23 7 Total 323 100 * Multiple resposes possible. ** Other reasos metioed were mostly related to protectio of the cat. 20
Cat eclosure Respodets who claimed to keep their most recetly acquired cat idoors with a purpose built cat ru/eclosure were asked whether they built or bought the cat ru/eclosure. Table 23 shows that six i 10 respodets bought a cat eclosure ad four i 10 built their ow. Table 23: Cat eclosure % (=119) Bought a purpose made cat ru/eclosure 68 57 Built ow cat ru/eclosure 48 40 Other* 3 3 Total 119 100 * Other resposes were had it built ad use a chicke coop. Behaviour of cats kept off property Respodets who keep their most recetly acquired cat idoors at ight oly or keep it outdoors with free access off the property were asked how much time they thik their cat speds off property. The results from Table 24 show that six i 10 respodets claimed their cat is off property for oe to four hours daily (32% from 1-2 hours, 27% from 2-4 hours). There were two i 10 respodets who were usure about how log their cat is off property for hece, this poits to a educatio opportuity for the Board ad coucil. Table 24: Time off property % (=234) 1-2 hours 76 32 2-4 hours 63 27 4-6 hours 26 11 6 or more hours 18 8 Not sure 51 22 Total 234 100 The, respodets were asked how far they thik their cat travels from their property. Table 25 shows that seve i 10 cat owers believed their cat stays i the street. Table 25: How far cat travels % (=234) Stays i the street 76 68 Two or three streets away 63 15 Not sure 51 17 Total 234 100 21
Respodets were also asked what they provide for their cat whe it is outside. Table 26 presets the results. Nie i 10 cat owers said they provide water for their cat. The secod most popular provisios were shelter ad food, with approximately seve i 10 respodets choosig each of these optios. Table 26: Provisios whe cat is outside % (=234)* Water 213 91 Shelter 166 71 Food 151 65 Outdoor toilet area/litter tray 87 37 Toys 78 33 Other** 9 4 Total 234 100 * Multiple resposes possible. ** Other reasos metioed were: othig, provisios already i the yard ad cat ca access those thigs from iside. Respodets were asked how ofte their cat catches prey whe it is outside. Table 27 shows that six i 10 respodets claimed their cat catches prey. Oe quarter claimed their cat ever catches prey. Table 27: How ofte cat catches prey % (=234) Never 58 25 Oce or twice a year 33 14 Every few moths 25 11 Mothly 33 14 60% Weekly 29 12 Daily 21 9 Other* 4 2 Not sure 31 13 Total 234 100 To fialise the behaviour of cats kept off property sectio, respodets who said their most recetly acquired cat catches prey were asked what types of prey are caught. Table 28 shows that the most commo claimed prey were rodets (59%), birds (38%) ad lizards (26%). Table 28: What cat catches as prey % (=176)* Rodets 104 59 Birds 67 38 Lizards 45 26 Rabbits 14 8 Other** 9 4 Not sure 16 9 Total 176 100 * Multiple resposes possible. ** Other preys metioed were: moths, leaves, guiea pigs. 22
CAT MANAGEMENT Cat hutig wildlife Respodets were asked questios related to their opiio o cat maagemet. Firstly, they were asked if they thought cats hutig wildlife is a problem. Table 29 shows that seve i 10 respodets agreed that this is a problem. Table 29: Is cats hutig wildlife a problem? % (=608) Yes, I thik cats hutig wildlife is a problem 418 69 No, I do ot thik cats hutig wildlife is a problem 190 31 Total 608 100 Respodets who believe cats hutig wildlife is a problem, were asked how they try to prevet their cat hutig. Table 30 presets the results. The most commo form of prevetio, used by half of the respodets, was puttig a bell o the cat s collar. This was followed by keepig the cat i at ight ad keepig the cat idoors at all times (four i 10 respodets apiece). Table 30: Forms to prevet cat hutig wildlife % (=418*) Put a bell o the cats collar 210 50 Cat kept i at ight 177 42 Cat kept idoors at all times 166 40 Provided cat with a cat ru/eclosure 97 23 I have t tried to prevet it 22 5 Other** 21 5 Total 418 100 * Multiple resposes possible. ** Other forms of prevetio were: aversio therapy for bird protectio, behaviour traiig/puishmet, keep well fed, high feces/harder to get over, keep watch. 23
Local coucil cat maagemet Respodets were asked if they were aware that their local coucil is resposible for cat maagemet. Table 31 shows that half of the respodets were aware but the other half were ot. Table 31: Awareess of local coucil cat maagemet % (=608) Aware 320 53 Not aware 288 47 Total 608 100 Table 32 shows the awareess of local coucil cat maagemet split by where the respodets live. There was a relatively eve split across metropolita ad regioal coucils (ot sigificatly differet at p<0.05). Table 33 shows these figures by coucil of residece for the top four coucils (>30). There were o statistical differeces across coucils whe compared to the total sample. Table 32: Awareess of local coucil cat maagemet by where respodets live (%) % SA metropolita (=396) % SA regioal (=212) % Total sample (=608) Aware 53 53 53 Not aware 47 47 47 Total 100 100 100 Table 33: Awareess of local coucil cat maagemet by coucil of residece (%) % Adelaide (=87) % Campbelltow (=44) % Okapariga (=35) % Adelaide Hills (=33) % Total sample (=608) Aware 60 61 40 61 53 Not aware 40 39 60 39 47 Total 100 100 100 100 100 24
Local coucil cat by-law Respodets were asked if they were aware that their local coucil has a cat by-law. Table 34 shows that half of the respodets were usure about it. Oly about a quarter of the respodets kew about coucil cat by-laws. Table 34: Awareess of local coucil cat by-law % (=608) Not aware 184 30 Aware 145 24 Not sure 279 46 Total 608 100 Table 35 shows the awareess of local coucil cat by-law split by where the respodets live. There were o sigificat differeces across metropolita ad regioal coucils, with both scorig similar to the total sample (at p<0.05). Table 36 shows awareess by coucil of residece for the top four coucils (>30). Campbelltow had a sigificatly higher icidece of respodets aware of cat by-law (50% versus 24% from the total sample). O the other had, Okapariga had a sigificatly lower icidece of respodets aware of cat by-law (0% aware). Table 35: Awareess of local coucil cat by-law by where respodets live (%) % SA metropolita (=396) % SA regioal (=212) % Total sample (=608) Not aware 32 28 30 Aware 24 24 24 Not sure 45 48 46 Total 100 100 100 Table 36: Awareess of local coucil cat by-law by coucil of residece (%) % Adelaide (=87) % Campbelltow (=44) % Okapariga (=35) % Adelaide Hills (=33) % Total sample (=608) Not aware 28 23 57 é 33 30 Aware 31 50 é 0 ê 30 24 Not sure 41 27 ê 43 36 46 Total 100 100 100 100 100 25
Reportig cat issues Respodets were also asked if they have ever cotacted their coucil i relatio to a cat issue. Table 37 shows that eight i 10 respodets had ot cotacted the coucil. Table 37: Reportig cat issues to coucil % (=608) Have t reported 494 81 Reported 114 19 Total 608 100 Table 38 ad Table 39 show the split of respodets who reported/had ot reported cat issues to coucil by where the respodet lives ad by their coucil of residece for the top four coucils (>30), respectively. There were o sigificat differeces across metropolita ad regioal coucils (at p<0.05). However, Okapariga had a sigificatly lower icidece of respodets who have reported cat issues (6% versus 19% from the total sample). Table 38: Reportig cat issues to coucil by where respodets live (%) % SA metropolita (=396) % SA regioal (=212) % Total sample (=608) Have t reported 84 77 81 Reported 16 23 19 Total 100 100 100 Table 39: Reportig cat issues to coucil by coucil of residece (%) % Adelaide (=87) % Campbelltow (=44) % Okapariga (=35) % Adelaide Hills (=33) % Total sample (=608) Have t reported 78 77 94 é 79 81 Reported 22 23 6 ê 21 19 Total 100 100 100 100 100 Respodets who reported cat issues were asked what were their reasos to do so. Table 40 shows that all reasos provided achieved geerally similar scores. Betwee two i 10 ad three i 10 respodets reported issues such as cat killig wildlife, uisace, locatio of stray cats, eighbourhood cats usig garde as toilet ad damage to property. Table 40: Reasos for reportig cat issues to coucil % (=114)* Killig wildlife 39 34 Nuisace (oise/urie sprayig) 37 32 To report the locatio of stray cats 35 31 Neighbourhood cats usig garde as toilet 33 29 Damage to property 27 24 Other 9 8 Total 114 100 * Multiple resposes possible. ** Other reasos for reportig cat issues to coucil: cat killer issues, complait by eighbour as my cat was goig i their yard, registratio, starvig cat that came oto property. 26
APPENDIX Questioaire SHOW ALL. INTRO Thak you for agreeig to participate i this survey. It will oly take approximately 10 miutes to complete. All of your resposes are kept cofidetial. SECTION 1: SCREENING SCREENING QUESTION 1. ASK ALL. SC. IF Q1=0 NONE, TERMINATE. Q1. How may cats do you have? (0) Noe (1) Oe (2) Two (3) Three (4) Four or more ASK ALL. SC. SHOW DROP DOWN MENU. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. IF Q2=99, TERMINATE. Q2. Which coucil are you i? 1 Adelaide 2 Adelaide Hills 3 Alexadria 4 Aagu Pitjatjatjara Yakuytjatjara 5 Barossa 6 Baruga West 7 Berri Barmera 8 Burside 9 Campbelltow 10 Cedua 11 Charles Sturt 12 Clare ad Gilbert Valleys 13 Cleve 14 Coober Pedy 15 Coorog 16 Copper Coast 17 Ellisto 18 Fliders Rages 19 Frakli Harbour 20 Gawler 21 Goyder 22 Grat 23 Holdfast Bay 24 Kagaroo Islad 25 Karooda East Murray 26 Kimba 27 Kigsto 28 Light Regioal 29 Lower Eyre Peisula 30 Loxto Waikerie 31 Mallala 32 Mario 33 Mid Murray 34 Mitcham 35 Mout Barker 36 Mout Gambier 37 Mout Remarkable 38 Murray Bridge 39 Naracoorte Lucidale 40 Norther Areas 41 Norwood, Payeham & St Peters 42 Okapariga 43 Orroroo Carrieto 44 Peterborough 45 Playford 46 Port Adelaide Efield 47 Port Augusta 48 Port Licol 49 Port Pirie 50 Prospect 51 Remark Pariga 52 Robe 53 Roxby Dows 54 Salisbury 55 Souther Mallee 56 Streaky Bay 57 Tatiara 58 Tea Tree Gully 59 Tumby Bay 60 Uley 61 Victor Harbor 62 Wakefield 63 Walkerville 64 Wattle Rage 65 West Torres 66 Whyalla 67 Wudia 68 Yakalilla 69 Yorke Peisula (97) Other SA Coucil (please specify) (99) I do t live i South Australia 27
SCREENING QUESTION 2. MEET QUOTAS: 66% METRO AND 34% REGIONAL. Q2HIDDEN Metro/Regioal split METRO CODES FROM Q2 = 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 20, 23, 32, 34, 41, 42, 45, 46, 50, 54, 58, 60, 63 AND 65. SHOW ALL. SECTION 2: YOUR MOST RECENTLY ACQUIRED CAT We are ow goig to ask you some questios related to your MOST RECENTLY ACQUIRED CAT. Please aswer all the followig questios thikig of your most recetly acquired cat oly. SECTION 2A: ABOUT YOUR CAT ASK ALL. SC. Q3. Is your most recetly acquired cat? (1) Male (2) Female ASK ALL. SC. Q4. How old is your most recetly acquired cat? (1) Kitte (8 weeks to 12 moths) (2) Adult (12 moths to 8 years) (3) Seior (8 years plus) ASK ALL. SC. Q5. Is your most recetly acquired cat registered with your local Coucil? (0) No (1) Yes (98) Not sure SECTION 2B: DESEXING ASK ALL. SC. IF Q6=NO, SKIP TO Q8. Q6. Is your most recetly acquired cat desexed? (0) No (1) Yes ASK IF Q6=YES. SC. Q7. At what age was your most recetly acquired cat desexed? (1) 3-6 moths (2) 7-12 moths (3) Over 12 moths (98) Not sure ASK IF Q6=NO. SC. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q8. What was your mai reaso ot to desex your most recetly acquired cat? (1) Too old (2) Too youg (3) Wat to breed (4) Cost of desexig procedure (97) Other (please specify) ASK ALL. SC. Q9. From what age ca a cat have kittes? (0) 3 moths (1) 4 moths (2) 5 moths (3) 6 moths (4) 1 year (98) Not sure 28
ASK ALL. SC. Q10. Do you believe that a cat should have a litter of kittes before it is desexed? (0) No (1) Yes (98) Not sure ASK ALL. SC. Q11. Have ay of your cats had a uplaed litter? (0) No (1) Yes (98) Not sure SECTION 2C: MICROCHIPPING ASK ALL. SC. Q12. Is your most recetly acquired cat microchipped? (0) No (1) Yes ASK ALL. SC. Q13. Does your most recetly acquired cat wear a collar/tag? (0) No (1) Yes SECTION 2D: CONFINEMENT ASK ALL. SC. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q14. How do you keep your most recetly acquired cat? (1) Idoors oly (2) Idoors with purpose built cat ru/eclosure (3) Idoors at ight oly (4) Outdoors with free access off the property (97) Other (please specify) ASK IF Q14=1 OR 2. MC. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q15. What are your reasos for keepig your most recetly acquired cat idoors/o your property? PLEASE SELECT AS MANY AS APPLY. (1) Risk of ijury/disease (2) Protect wildlife (3) To preserve good eighbourhood relatios (97) Other (please specify) ASK IF Q14=2. SC. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q16. You said that your most recetly acquired cat has a cat eclosure, did you? (1) Buy a purpose made cat ru/eclosure (2) Build your ow cat ru/eclosure (97) Other (please specify) ASK IF Q14=3 OR 4. SC. Q17. How much time do you thik your most recetly acquired cat speds off your property? (1) 1-2 hours (2) 2-4 hours (3) 4-6 hours (4) 6 or more hours (98) Not sure 29
ASK IF Q14=3 OR 4. SC. Q18. How far do you thik your most recetly acquired cat travels from your property? (1) Stays i the street (2) Two or three streets away (98) Not sure ASK IF Q14=3 OR 4. MC. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q19. Whe outside, what do you provide for your most recetly acquired cat? PLEASE SELECT AS MANY AS APPLY. (1) Water (2) Food (3) Shelter (4) Toys (5) Outdoor toilet area/litter tray (97) Other (please specify) ASK IF Q14=3 OR 4. SC. Q20. Whe outside, how ofte does your cat catch prey? (0) Never (1) Daily (2) Weekly (3) Mothly (4) Every few moths (5) Oce or twice a year (97) Other (please specify) (98) Not sure ASK IF Q20 0. MC. MAKE 98 NOT SURE EXCLUSIVE. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q21. What does your most recetly acquired cat catch as prey? PLEASE SELECT AS MANY AS APPLY. (1) Birds (2) Rodets (3) Rabbits (4) Lizards (97) Other (please specify) (98) Not sure SHOW ALL. SECTION 3: CAT MANAGEMENT The ext questios are related to your opiios o cat maagemet. ASK ALL. SC. IF Q22=NO, SKIP TO Q24. Q22. Do you thik that cats hutig wildlife is a problem? (0) No (1) Yes ASK IF Q22=YES. MC. MAKE 5 EXCLUSIVE. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q23. How have you tried to prevet your cat hutig wildlife? PLEASE SELECT AS MANY AS APPLY. (1) Put a bell o the cats collar (2) Cat kept idoors at all times (3) Provided cat with a cat ru/eclosure (4) Cat kept i at ight (5) I have t tried to prevet it (97) Other (please specify) ASK ALL. SC. Q24. Are you aware that your local Coucil is resposible for cat maagemet? (0) No (1) Yes 30
ASK ALL. SC. Q25. Do you kow if your local Coucil has a Cat By law? (0) No (1) Yes (98) Not sure ASK ALL. SC. IF Q26=NO, SKIP TO Q28. Q26. Have you ever cotacted your Coucil i relatio to a cat issue? (0) No (1) Yes ASK IF Q26=YES. MC. TEXT BOX FOR OTHER. Q27. Why have you cotacted your Coucil i relatio to a cat issue? PLEASE SELECT AS MANY AS APPLY. (1) Neighbourhood cats usig garde as toilet (2) Nuisace (oise/urie sprayig) (3) Damage to property (4) Killig wildlife (5) To report the locatio of stray cats (97) Other (please specify) SHOW ALL. SECTION 4: DEMOGRAPHICS Fially, these last questios are about you ad are for classificatio purposes oly. ASK ALL. SC. Q28. Are you? (1) Male (2) Female ASK ALL. SC. Q29. Please idicate your age group. (1) 18-24 years old (2) 25-34 years old (3) 35-44 years old (4) 45-54 years old (5) 55-64 years old (6) 65-74 years old (7) 75-84 years old (8) 85 years old or over SHOW ALL. Thak you for takig this survey. 31