Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (1999) 1, 181–191
Recommendations for the housing of cats in the home, in
catteries and animal shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary
surgeries
I Rochlitz
Animal Welfare and
Human Animal Interactions Group, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine,
University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OES, UK
In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in applied ethology and animal
welfare, and an increase in the popularity of the domestic cat. This has stimulated research
on the behaviour and welfare of cats kept in different environments. This article presents a
review of the recent research and makes recommendations for the housing of domestic
cats in the home, in catteries and animal shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary
surgeries.
The popularity of the domestic cat has increased steadily in the past few years. In 1998,
the owned cat population in the UK was 8 million and exceeded the pet dog population by
1.1 million (Pet Food Manufacturers' Association 1999). Over 20% (5.1 million) of
British households owned at least one cat and 37% of these households had more than one
cat.
In recent years, research has been carried out on the behaviour and welfare of cats kept in
different environments. These include laboratories (Podberscek et al 1991, McCune 1992,
van den Bos & de Cock Buning 1994b, van den Bos 1998), animal shelters (Durman
1991, McCune 1992, Roy 1992, Smith et al 1994, Kessler & Turner 1997, Rochlitz 1997),
quarantine and boarding catteries (Kessler & Turner 1997, Rochlitz et al 1998b) and the
home (Bernstein & Strack 1996). This paper reviews the recent research, and presents
guidelines on the housing requirements of cats kept in the home, in catteries and animal
shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary surgeries.
Assessment of welfare
The domestic cat has evolved from a carnivore with an essentially solitary lifestyle where,
in many contexts, there is no need for large, exaggerated or ritualised signals to develop.
Assessment of welfare may initially seem difficult, as cats do not have as wide a
behavioural repertoire for visual communication (eg posture, facial expression, tail
position) as, for example, the highly social, group-living dog. However, the UK Cat
Behaviour Working Group (1995) has published an ethogram (a catalogue of discrete,
species-typical behaviour patterns that form the basic behavioural repertoire of the
species) for behavioural studies of the domestic cat, and stress scores, based on behaviour
have been developed (McCune 1992, Kessler & Turner 1997). Physiological measures
such as urinary cortisol have also been used to assess welfare (Carlstead et al 1992,
Carlstead et al 1993, Rochlitz et al 1998b).
Cats are more likely to respond to poor environmental conditions by becoming inactive
and by inhibiting normal behaviours such as self-maintenance (feeding, grooming and
elimination), exploration or play, than by actively showing abnormal behaviour (McCune
1992, Rochlitz 1997). Cats with illness may also modify their behaviour in a similar way.
Keeping cats in an enriched, stimulating environment that encourages a wide range of
normal behaviours will not only enhance their welfare, but also
General recommendations
The main points to be considered when designing or evaluating housing for cats are listed
below. The particular requirements of cats kept in specific environments (the home,
catteries and animal shelters, laboratories and veterinary surgeries) are considered in the
next section. When cats are housed together the control of infectious disease is of primary
importance, but this aspect will not be included in this review.
'Size of enclosure (The terms enclosure, pen and cage are used interchangeably)
Within an enclosure (the internal environment), there should be adequate separation
between feeding, resting and elimination (litter tray) areas. The enclosure should be large
enough to allow cats to express a range of normal behaviours, and to permit the caretaker
or owner to carry out cleaning procedures easily.
When cats are housed in groups, there should also be enough space for cats to keep
themselves separate from others (Fig 1). Conflict-regulating mechanisms are important to
maintain stability of groups in some species (van den Bos 1998) but group-living cats lack
distinct dominant, hierarchies and post-conflict mechanisms such reconciliation (van den
Bos & de Cock Bunir 1994a, van den Bos 1998). They are not adapt (to living in close
proximity to each other and reduce the likelihood of aggression by establishing distances
between themselves (Leyhausen 1979).
If an enclosure is too small, there may be an increase in agonistic encounters or cats will
attempt to avoid each other decreasing their activity (Leyhausen 1979,van den Bos & de
Cock Bunir 1994a, van den Bos 1998).
The vertical dimension is particularly important as regards the provision of appropriate
internal complexity (see next section), so cages show be of adequate height.
Complexity of enclosure
Beyond a certain minimum size, it is the quality rather than the quantity of space that is
important. Most cats are active, have the ability to clip well and are well-adapted for
concealment (Eisenberg 1989). They use elevated areas as vantage points from which to
monitor their surroundings (DeLuca & Kranda 1992, Holmes 1993, James 1995).
Enclosures should contain structures that make maximal use of the vertical dimension,
such as shelves, climbing frames, platforms, hammocks and raised walkways placed at
various heights (Fig 2).
As cats are more likely to rest alone than with others, there should be a sufficient number
of resting areas for all cats in the enclosure. (Podberscek et al 1991, Bernstein & Strack
1996). Hiding is a behaviour that cats often show in response to stimuli or changes in their
environment, and to avoid interactions with other cats or people (McCune 1992, Carlstead
et al 1993, James 1995, Rochlitz et al 1998b). Resting areas where cats can retreat to and
be concealed, in addition to 'open' resting areas (eg. shelves), are essential for their wellbeing (Fig 3). Visual barriers, such as vertical panels, can also be used to enable cats to
get away from others and hide. If it is necessary to observe the cat closely, a box open on
two or three sides, or a deep-sided tray, can be used. Rest areas should have comfortable
bedding, which will reduce the likelihood of cats resting in their litter trays (DeLuca &
Kranda 1992). Tests indicate that cats prefer polyester fleece to cotton-looped towel,
woven rush-matting and corrugated cardboard for lying on (Hawthorne et al 1995).
There should be a sufficient number of litter trays, at least one per two cats (Hoskins
1996), sited away from feeding and resting areas. Cats can have individual preferences for
litter characteristics, so it may be necessary to provide a range of litter types and designs
of litter trays. Surfaces for claw abrasion (e.g. scratch posts, rush matting, carpet, wood)
should also be avail-able, as well as toys (Fig 2). Objects which move, have complex
textures and mimic prey characteristics are the most successful at promoting play (Hall &
Bradshaw 1998). A variety of toys should be available, and novelty is also important so
toys should be replaced regularly. Most cats play alone rather than in groups (Podberscek
et al. 1991), so the cage should be large enough to permit them to play without disturbing
other cats. Consideration should also be given to providing containers of grass, which
some cats like to chew and may be important for the elimination of furballs
(trichobezoars). Catnip (Nepeta cataria) may also be provided, either as a dried herb or
contained in toys.
Another environmental enrichment technique is to increase the time animals spend in
predatory and feeding behaviour. McCune (1995) suggests putting dry food into
containers 'With holes through which the cat has to extract individual pieces.
Quality of the external environment
The environment around the enclosure (the external environment) will have an impact on
the cat's welfare. Efforts should be made to increase olfactory, visual and auditory
stimulation, for example by creating enclosures that look out on to areas of human and
animal activity, or by providing access to an outdoor run. A technique used in some
animal houses is the playing of a radio, to provide music and human conversation (Benn
1995, James 1995, Newberry 1995). This is thought to prevent animals from being
startled by sudden noises and habituate them to human voices, and to provide a degree of
continuity in the environment (James 1995).
Contact with conspecifics
The cat is a social carnivore that regularly inter-acts with conspecifics (Leyhausen 1979,
Voith & Borchelt 1986, Sandell 1989). Most cats can be • housed in groups providing that
they are well socialised to other cats, and that there is sufficient space, easy access to
feeding and elimination areas and a sufficient number of concealed retreats and resting
places. When cats are kept in large groups, it may be necessary to distribute feed, rest and
elimination areas in a number of different sites, to prevent certain cats from monopolising
one area and denying others access (van den Bos & de Cock Buning 1994b).
Many factors will determine the ideal group size, but it seems that 20 to 25 individuals is
the maximal number for cats in laboratories (James 1995, Hubrecht & Turner 1998). In
animal shelters, where infectious disease is a frequent problem and there is a regular
turnover of cats, they should be kept in smaller groups. Cats that fail to adapt satisfactorily
to group-living should be identified and housed singly.
Contact with humans and quality of care
In addition to interacting with conspecifics, domestic cats interact frequently and
effectively with humans (Voith & Borchelt 1986, Turner 1995). While cleaning and
feeding times provide
some opportunities for interactions, a period of time which is not part of routine
caretaking procedures should be set aside every day for cats to interact with caretakers or
owners (Fig 4). Some cats may prefer to be petted and handled, while others may prefer to
interact via a toy (Karsh & Turner 1988).
Owners and caretakers need to be knowledgeable about the behaviour of the animals they
are responsible for, since behavioural changes are often the first indicators of illness or
other causes of poor welfare. A study of owners who relinquished pets to shelters found
that many lacked knowledge about the normal behaviour of their pets (Salman et al 1998).
Owners are more likely to develop a successful relationship with their p@t if they have
realistic expectations about its behaviour and requirements (Kidd et al 1992). Formal
training in animal husbandry should be mandatory for those involved in the day to day
care of cats in shelters, catteries, laboratories and veterinary surgeries, and owners should
be encouraged to obtain information about cats from a variety of sources.
The sociability of cats to people and to con-specifics is influenced by many factors, such
as the handling of kittens at a young age, their exposure to other cats and people, and
genetic influences (McCune et al 1995). Attention to management procedures and
selective breeding will ensure that cats are well socialised.
Specific housing environments
The following section describes the particular requirements of cats in the home, in
catteries and animal shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary surgeries. The aim should
be to provide good housing conditions, regardless of the length of the housing period.
Whether it will be housed for 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years is of no relevance to
the animal; its well-being is determined by the conditions it lives in day to day.
Clearly, in some situations compromises or modifications may have to be made. For
example, in quarantine catteries or animal shelters where cats may be confined for long
periods, it will be particularly important to ensure that the enclosure and surroundings are
complex and stimulating, and that the cats receive sufficient human contact. In veterinary
surgeries (where the cat may be ill), or in laboratories (where experimental procedures are
carried out), it may be necessary to restrict the cat's movement and to monitor it closely.
Nevertheless, just because the animal will be housed for a short period of time is not an
excuse for providing poor housing conditions.
The home
In the United States, between 50 and 60% of pet cats are housed indoors (Luke 1996,
Patronek et al 1997); this figure is lower for cats in Britain although data have not been
published. Some; authors (Landsberg 1996, Miller 1996) feel that cats are best housed
indoors, while others believe that the cat's quality of life is enhanced if it is .Allowed
outdoors (O'Farrell & Neville 1994, Hubrecht & Turner 1998). Cats that roam freely
outdoors are more likely to be exposed to infectious disease, involved in agonistic
encounters with cats and other animals, injured or killed by motor vehicles, and may go
missing. Another stated argument for keeping cats indoors is to protect wildlife
populations from predation (Tatronek 1998). Cats with outdoor access can probably
compensate to some degree for unsatisfactory conditions in their home environment
(Turner 1995). Some behaviourists note-that cats kept exclusively indoors are overrepresented in the population referred to them with behavioural problems (Hubrecht &
Turner 1998). Providing secure enclosures within a garden, or leash-training a cat, are
solutions that enable the cat to benefit from outdoor access without undue risk. Whether
cats are confined indoors or allowed outdoors, housing conditions in the home should
follow the recommendations listed previously.
Bernstein and Strack (1996) described the use of space and patterns of interaction of 14
unrelated, neutered domestic cats, who lived together in a single-storey house at a density
of one cat per 10 m2. The cats did not have access to the outdoors. Most of the cats had
favourite spots within the rooms that they used. Some individuals had their own unique
place, but more commonly several cats chose the same favourite spot. These areas were
shared either physically, by cats occupying the space together or, more often, temporally
by cats occupying them at different times of the day. There was very little aggression and
no fighting between the cats. Individuals seemed to peacefully co-exist by avoiding each
other for most of the time. Female cats are said to be more suited to an indoor existence
than male cats, because feral males have a bigger home range than feral females (Mertens
& Schar 1988). Bernstein and Strack (1996) found that neutered males had an average
home range of four to five rooms (out of 10), and neutered females a range of three to 3.6
rooms. It is likely that both neutered males and neutered females can be successfully
housed indoors, providing there is sufficient quantity and quality of space.
Boarding and quarantine catteries and animal shelters
In 1995, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health published model licence
conditions and guidance for cat boarding establishments in the UK (CIEH Animal
Boarding Establishments Working Party 1995). These guidelines serve as a basis upon
which local environmental health officers issue licences to boarding catteries. Concerns
have been expressed regarding the welfare of animals in quarantine (Bennett 1997,
Rochlitz et al 1998a,b) but currently there exists only a voluntary code of practice
(Ministry of Agriculture 1995). However, legislation on welfare standards in quarantine
premises is likely to be introduced in the future. Animal shelters in the UK are not subject
to legislation on standards of animal care, although the Feline Advisory Bureau has
recently published a cat rescue manual (Haughie 1998), which includes a code of practice
for cat rescue facilities.
Durman (1991) described behavioural indicators of stress in cats who were introduced
into communal pens at an animal shelter. Major behavioural changes occurred in the first
4 days, but changes continued throughout the first month as the cats adapted. Kessler and
Turner (1997) studied 140 cats entering a boarding cattery, and monitored their adaptation
using a Cat-Stress-Score. Stress levels decreased during the observation period, with a
pronounced reduction in the first 4 days, and two-thirds of cats adjusted satisfactorily
within 2 weeks. In another shelter study (Rochlitz 1997), behavioural and physiological
data indicated that cats showed signs of adaptation within 2 weeks. However, cats took
longer (5 weeks) to-adjust to conditions in a quarantine cattery (Rochlitz et al 1998b).
Smith et al (1994) examined the behaviour of cats in shelters, with specific reference to
their spatial distribution. Cats used structures more often than the floor of the pens, and
high structures, which provided vantage points, were used more frequently than low ones.
These findings were confirmed in other studies (Durman 1991, Podberscek et al 1991,
Roy 1992, Rochlitz et al 1998b). Roy (1992) found that cats preferred wood as a substrate
to plastic, and also liked materials that maintain a constant temperature such as straw, hay,
wood shavings and fabric. In an animal shelter, the presence of a toy within an enclosure
may make the animal more attractive to prospective owners (Wells & Hepper 1992).
Techniques have been developed for identifying cats that are unfriendly towards other
cats or people (Kessler 1997). Cats that are poorly socialised towards conspecifics should
be housed singly, and cats that are poorly socialised towards people, such as feral cats,
should not initially be subjected to a high demand for inter-action with shelter staff and
visitors (Kessler 1997). However, cats may become more socialised towards humans and
subsequently make more rewarding pets, if they receive regular socialisation sessions.
Hoskins (1995) examined the effect of human contact on the reactions of cats in a rescue
shelter. Cats that had received additional handling sessions, where they interacted closely
with a familiar person, could subsequently be held for longer by an unfamiliar person than
cats who had not received additional handling sessions.
Concern has been expressed regarding the potentially harmful effects long periods of
housing in a shelter may have on the animal's behaviour (Wells & Hepper 1992) and the
likelihood that the animal will be able to integrate successfully into a home environment
after adoption. In a study of cats adopted from a shelter, there was no correlation between
the length of time the cat had been in the shelter (the longest time was 9.5 months) and the
time it took to adapt to its new home (Rochlitz et al 1996). Another study found that being
in a quarantine cattery for six months caused changes in the temperament and behaviour
of cats. and in the relationship between cats and their owners (Rochlitz et al 1998a).
Laboratories
In the UK, the Home Office issues a Code of Practice for the housing and care of animals
used in scientific procedures (Home Office 1989) and a Code of Practice for the housing
and care of animals in designated breeding and supplying establishments (Home Office
1995), to establish minimum standards and provide guidelines on the housing and care of
laboratory animals. In 1997 1446 scientific procedures were performed on cats in Great
Britain (Home Office 1998).
A number of studies underline the importance of positive social interactions between
laboratory technicians and the animals under their care. Randall et al (1990) found that
laboratory cats organised their daily activity patterns around human caretaker activity, and
responded strongly to humans in their environment. Cats in enriched conditions in a
laboratory facility preferred human contact to toys (DeLuca & Kranda 1992), and cats
showed signs of stress when they were subjected to an unpredictable caretaking routine
and technicians stopped petting and talking to them (Carlstead et al 1993).
De Monte and Le Pape (1997) found that a tennis ball was a more effective enrichment
tool than a wooden log, for laboratory cats caged singly. Environmentally enriched
housing for cats kept at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, a large research
establishment in the UK, has been described for cats housed singly (Loveridge et al 1995)
and in groups (Loveridge 1994).
Keeping cats in an enriched, stimulating environment that encourages a wide range of
normal behaviours will not only enhance their welfare, making them better subjects for
scientific investigation (Poole 1997), but will also have a positive effect on the public
perception of the treatment of animals in laboratories (Benn 1995).
Veterinary surgeries
In veterinary surgeries, it is preferable for cats to be housed in an area away from dog
kennels, providing that the cats can be adequately supervised. If tiered caging is used, the
upper cages should be filled before the lower ones, and cats should not be kept in tiered
caging for long periods of time. If cats are hospitalised for more than 6-8 h, a litter tray
should be provided. The cage should be large enough to contain this, as well as a resting
and feeding area. The addition of a box will improve the cat's welfare by offering it a
place to hide (Fig 5), and if the box is solid it can also function as a shelf.
Current recommendations and regulations on dimensions of enclosures
Dimensions of enclosures for cats in animal shelters, boarding and quarantine catteries
and laboratories are presented in Table 1.
For group-living cats in shelters, Kessler (1997) suggests that 1.67 m2 of floor space is
require per cat in order to keep stress at an acceptable level. The pen sizes recommended
by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health for boarding catteries, which include
both the house and run area, are adequate. In the author's opinion, the minimum pen
dimensions for cats in quarantine catteries cannot provide good housing, based on the
recommendations described previously, and should be increased to dimensions similar to
those required of boarding catteries.
Table 1. Cage sizes for cats in animal shelters, catteries and laboratories
Code of Practice
Animal shelter'
Boarding cattery2
Quarantine cattery
Cats (scientific procedures)4
Cats (breeding & supplying)5
Dogs (scientific procedures)4
Floor area (single)
not specified
2.55 m2
Floor area (groups)
1.67 m2/cat
2 cats 3.73 m2
3—4 cats 4.68 m2
up to 3 cats from same household’ in 1.4 m2
<3 kg 0.5 m2
<3 kg 0.33 m2/cat
>3 kg 0.75 m2
>3 kg 0.5 m2/cat
not specified
<3 kg 0.5 m2/cat
>3 kg 0.75 m2/cat
2
<5 kg 4.5 m
<5 kg 1 m2/dog
Height
walk-in (1.8 m)
walk-in (1.8 m)
walk-in (1.8 m)
<3 kg 0.5 m
>3 kg 0.8 m 2m
2m
<5 kg 1.5 m
'Kessler (1997); 2CIEH (1995); 3MAFF (1995); 4Home Office (1989); 5Home Office (1995).
Minimum cage sizes permitted for laboratory cats in the UK are also too small. The cage
in Fig 5 has 0.42 m2 of floor space and is 0.5 m high, and is clearly inadequate for the
long-term housing of an adult cat. Distinguishing between the dimensions of cages for
cats according to body weight is unhelpful. Most adult cats weigh more than 3 kg. Those
under 3 kg are likely to be kittens or young cats; they will be more active and playful than
adults and will require more rather than less space. Groups often consist of cats of
different weights, and a cat's weight may vary over time. Cage floor area should be determined per weaned cat, and not according to the weight of the cat.
In addition, it does not make sense that the floor area and height of cages permitted for
cats are so much smaller than those for small dogs (less than 5 kg) kept for scientific
procedures (Table 1). Some adult cats may weigh more than 5 kg, and dogs can be taken
out for exercise, whereas cats spend most of their time in their cages. Shelving can be
removed, a lower cage used or the cage height reduced using a horizontal partition if the
experimental procedure requires that the cat's activity is restricted for short periods of
time, although the cat should still be able to stretch fully in a vertical direction.
The working party for the review of the European Convention for the Protection of
Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes (ETS 123),
Appendix A (Council of Europe 1986), has recommended that one to two weaned cats can
be housed in a cage with a floor area of 1.5 m2, with another 0.75 m2 of floor space
required for every additional cat; the cage should be walk-in (JWS Bradshaw, personal
communication). These minimum cage dimensions are likely to be acceptable, providing
that the quality of the space is also addressed.
Concluding remarks
Recent research in feline behaviour and animal welfare has yielded valuable information,
upon which recommendations for the housing of cats in the home, in catteries and animal
shelters, in laboratories and in veterinary surgeries can be based. There is a need for more
research, and it is likely that the recommendations will be modified as further knowledge
is gained.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the two anonymous referees for their helpful comments, and
Professor D M Broom for providing the facilities to write this paper.
References
Benn DM (1995) Innovations in research animal care. Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association 206, 465-468 Bennett RM (1997) Non-market costs of rabies
policy. The Veterinary Record 141, 127-128
Bernstein PL, Strack M (1996) A game of cat and house: spatial patterns and behaviour of
14 cats (fells catus) in the home. Anthrozoos 9, 25-39
Bradshaw JWS (1992) The behaviour of the domestic cat. Wallingford, Oxon: CAB
International
Carlstead K, Brown JL, Monfort SL, Killen R, Wildt DE (1992) Urinary monitoring of
adrenal responses to psycho-logical stressors in domestic and nondomestic felids. Zoo
Biology 11, 165-176
Carlstead K, Brown JL, Strawn W (1993) Behavioural and physiological correlates of
stress in laboratory cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 38, 143-158
CIEH Animal Boarding Establishments Working Party (1995) Model licence conditions
and guidance for cat boarding establishments (Animal Boarding Establishments Act
1963). London: The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Council of Europe (1986) European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals
used for experimental and other scientific purposes (ETS I23), Appendix A. Strasbourg:
Council of Europe
De Monte M, Le Pape G (1997) Behavioural effects of cage enrichment in single-caged
adult cats. Animal Welfare 6, 53-66
DeLuca AM, Kranda KC (1992) Environmental enrichment in a large animal facility.
Laboratory Animal 21, 38-44
Durman KJ (1991) Behavioural indicators of stress.. BSc. thesis, University of
Southampton
Eisenberg JF (1989) An introduction to the Carnivore. In: Carnivore behaviour, ecology
and evolution Gittelman JL, (ed.) London: Chapman & Hall, pp. 1-9
Hall SL, Bradshaw JWS (1998) The influence of hunger on object play by adult domestic
cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 58, 143-150
Haughie A (1998) Cat Rescue Manual. Feline Advisory Bureau Publication. Tisbury,
Wiltshire
Hawthorne AJ, Loveridge GG, Horrocks LJ (1995) The behaviour of domestic cats in
response to a variety of surface-textures. In Proceedings of the second international
conference on environmental enrichment, Hoist B, (ed.) Copenhagen: Copenhagen Zoo,
pp. 84-94
Holmes RJ (1993) Environmental enrichment for confined dogs and cats. In: Animal
Behaviour-The TG Hungerford Refresher Course fin Veterinarians. Proceedings 214 Holmes
RJ, (ed.) Sydney: Post Graduate Committee in Veterinary Science, pp. 191-197
Home Office (1989) Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986—Code of practice for the
housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures (issued under section 21).
London: HMSO
Home Office (1995) Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986—Code of practice for the
housing and care of animals in designated breeding and supplying establishments (issued
under section 21). London: HMSO
Home Office (1998) Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals Great Britain
1997. London: HMSO
Hoskins CM (1995) The effects of positive handling on the behaviour of domestic cats in
rescue centres. MSc. thesis, University of Edinburgh
Hoskins JD (1996) Population medicine and infectious diseases. Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association 208, 510-512
Hubrecht RC, Turner DC (1998) Companion animal welfare in private and institutional
settings. In: Companion Animals in Human Health, Wilson CC, Turner DC, (eds),
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc, pp. 267-289
James AE (1995) The laboratory cat. The Australian and New Zealand Council for the
Care of Animals in Research and Teaching News 8, 1-8
Karsh EB, Turner DC (1988) The human-cat relationship. In: The domestic cat: the
biology of its behaviour Turner DC, Bateson P, (eds). Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, pp. 159-177
Kessler MR (1997) Katzenhaltung im Tierheim: Analyv des Ist-Zustandes and
ethologische Beurteilung ton Haltungsformen.. Ph.D. thesis, Eidgenhssischen
Technischen Hochschule, Zurich
Kessler MR, Turner DC (1997) Stress and adaptation of cats (Fells Silvestris Catus)
housed singly, in pairs and in groups in boarding catteries. Animal Welfare 6, 243-254
Kidd AH, Kidd RM, George CC (1992) Veterinarians and successful pet adoptions.
Psychological Reports 71, 551-557
Lindsberg G (19%) Feline behaviour and welfare. Journal of fire American Veterinary
Medical Association 208;` 502-505
Leyhausen P (1979) Cat behaviour: the predatory and social behaviour of domestic and
wild cats. New York: Garland STPM Press
Loveridge GG (1994) Provision of environmentally enriched housing for cats. Animal
Technician 45, 69-87
Luveridge GG, Horrocks LJ, Hawthorne AJ (1995) Environmentally enriched housing for
cats when housed singly. Anintnl Welfare 4, 135-141
Luke C (1996) Animal shelter issues. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association 208, 524-527
McCune S (1992) Temperament and the welfare of caged cats. Ph.D. thesis, University of
Cambridge
McCune S (1995) Enriching the environment of the laboratory cat—a review. In:
Proceedings of the second international conference on environmental enrichment, Holst B
(ed.) Copenhagen: Copenhagen Zoo, pp. 103-117
McCune S, McPherson JA, Bradshaw JWS (1995) Avoiding problems: the importance of
socialisation. In: The Waltham book of human-animal interaction: benefits and
responsibilities of pet ownership Rol-Anson 1, (eU). %JMUIU. Elsevier Science Ltd, pp.
71-86
Mertens C, Schar R (1988) Practical aspects of research on cats. In: The domestic cat: the
biology of its behaviour, Turner DC & Bateson P (eds), Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, pp. 179-190
Miller J (1996) The domestic cat: perspective on the nature and diversity of cats. Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association 208, 498-502
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1995) The voluntary code of practice on the
welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises. Surbiton, Surrey: Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Newberry RC (1995) Environmental enrichment increasing the biological relevance of
captive environments. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 44, 229-243
O'Farrell V, Neville P (1994) The BSAVA manual of feline behaviour. Cheltenham:
British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Patronek GJ (1998) Free-roaming and feral cats—their impact on wildlife and human
beings. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 212, 218-226
Patronek GJ, Beck AM, Glickman LT (1997) Dynamics of dog and cat populations in a
community. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 210, 637-642
Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (1999). The pet food manufacturers' association
profile. Brussels: FEDIAF
Podberscek AL, Blackshaw JK, Beattie AW (1991) The behaviour of laboratory colony
cats and their reactions to a familiar and unfamiliar person. Applied Animal Behaviour
Science 31, 119-130
Poole TB (1997) Happy animals make good science. Laboratory Animals 31, 116-124
Randall WR, Cunningham JT, Randall S (1990) Sounds from an animal colony entrain a
circadian rhythm in the cat,' Fells catus L. Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research 21,
55-64
Rochlitz I (1997) The welfare of cats kept in confined environments. Ph.D. thesis,
University of Cambridge
Rochlitz I, Podberscek AL, Broom DM (1996) A questionnaire survey on aspects of cat
adoption. Society for Companion Animal Studies Proceedings Glasgow, (Abstract) 65-66
Rochlitz I, Podberscek AL, Broom DM (1998a) Effects of quarantine on cats and their
owners. The Veterinary Record 143, 181-185
Rochlitz I, Podberscek AL, Broom DM (1998b) The welfare of cats in a quarantine
cattery. The Veterinary Record 143, 35-39
Roy D (1992) Environmental enrichment for cats in rescue centres. BSc. thesis,
University of Southampton
Salman MD, New JG Jr, Scarlett JM, Kass PH, Ruch-Gallie R, Hetts S (1998) Human and
animal factors related to the relinquishment of dogs and cats in 12 selected animal shelters
in the United States. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 1, 207-226
Sandell M (1989) The mating tactics and spacing patterns of solitary caiitivvics. In.
Cauiiiiore IirnuuiiiuY, ecology aria' evolution Gittelman JL, (ed.), London: Chapman &
Hall, pp. 164-182
Smith DFE, Durman KJ, Roy DB, Bradshaw JWS (1994) Behavioural aspects of the
welfare of rescued cats. The Journal of the Feline Advisory Bureau 31, 25-28
Turner DC (1995) The human-cat relationship. In: The Waltham book of human-animal
interaction: benefits and responsibilities of pet ownership Robinson I, (ed.), Oxford:
Elsevier Science Ltd, pp. 87-97
UK Cat Behaviour Working Group (1995) UFAW animal workshop report no. 1: An
ethogram for behavioural--studies- - of the domestic cat (Fells catus L). Potters Bar,
Herts: Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
van den Bos R, de Cock Buning T (1994a) Social and non-social behaviour of domestic
cats (Fells catus L): a review of the literature and experimental findings. In: Welfare and
Science-proceedings of the fifth FELASA symposium, Bunyan J, (ed.), London: Royal
Society of Medicine Press Ltd, pp. 53-57
van den Bos R, de Cock Burring T (1994b) Social behaviour of domestic cats (Fells
lybica fcatus L.): a study of dominance in a group of female laboratory cats. Ethology 98,
14-37
van den Bos R (1998) Post-conflict stress-response in confined group-living cats (Fells
silvestris catus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 59, 323-330
Voith VL, Borchelt PL (1986) Social behaviour of domestic cats. Compendium on
Continuing Education for the Practising Veterinarian 8, 637-645
Wells D, Hepper PG (1992) The behaviour of dogs in a rescue shelter. Animal Welfare 1,
171-186