Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction
Recent research has demonstrated that cats (<i>Felis catus</i>) have greater social potential and flexibility than was previously assumed. However, many traditional cat care practices have been influenced by the misconception that cats are socially aloof. This can result in less support...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/17/2166 |
| _version_ | 1827667332144562176 |
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| author | Kristyn R. Vitale Delaney H. Frank Jocelyn Conroy Monique A. R. Udell |
| author_facet | Kristyn R. Vitale Delaney H. Frank Jocelyn Conroy Monique A. R. Udell |
| author_sort | Kristyn R. Vitale |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent research has demonstrated that cats (<i>Felis catus</i>) have greater social potential and flexibility than was previously assumed. However, many traditional cat care practices have been influenced by the misconception that cats are socially aloof. This can result in less support or guidance for cat-focused programs that may promote improved success or welfare. For example, while dog fostering programs—even overnight programs—are considered highly beneficial, with research to back these claims, relatively little research has been dedicated to understanding the potential risks and benefits of cat fostering programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to empirically evaluate the social, behavioral, and stress response outcomes associated with placing shelter cats in an overnight or short-term foster environment. While neither overnight nor 1-week fostering lead to a statistically significant improvement in human-directed social behavior or stress levels, foster cats also did not display increased fear or aggression in the foster home and did not have higher cortisol levels. Therefore, cat fostering—even short-term fostering—does not appear to be more stressful or problematic for this species than remaining in a shelter. This information could contribute to life-saving efforts by providing empirical evidence that cats can be safely moved into foster homes, even for short durations, when shelter space is limited. More research is needed to evaluate the potential effects of longer-term fostering in cats, as well as cat fostering practices that could lead to greater welfare benefits. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:08:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0fbcfeaa6afc4a7191fe303f6803ff33 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:08:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-0fbcfeaa6afc4a7191fe303f6803ff332023-11-23T12:36:18ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-08-011217216610.3390/ani12172166Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human InteractionKristyn R. Vitale0Delaney H. Frank1Jocelyn Conroy2Monique A. R. Udell3Animal Health & Behavior, Distance Education, Unity College, New Gloucester, ME 04260, USADepartment of Animal & Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USADepartment of Animal & Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USADepartment of Animal & Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USARecent research has demonstrated that cats (<i>Felis catus</i>) have greater social potential and flexibility than was previously assumed. However, many traditional cat care practices have been influenced by the misconception that cats are socially aloof. This can result in less support or guidance for cat-focused programs that may promote improved success or welfare. For example, while dog fostering programs—even overnight programs—are considered highly beneficial, with research to back these claims, relatively little research has been dedicated to understanding the potential risks and benefits of cat fostering programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to empirically evaluate the social, behavioral, and stress response outcomes associated with placing shelter cats in an overnight or short-term foster environment. While neither overnight nor 1-week fostering lead to a statistically significant improvement in human-directed social behavior or stress levels, foster cats also did not display increased fear or aggression in the foster home and did not have higher cortisol levels. Therefore, cat fostering—even short-term fostering—does not appear to be more stressful or problematic for this species than remaining in a shelter. This information could contribute to life-saving efforts by providing empirical evidence that cats can be safely moved into foster homes, even for short durations, when shelter space is limited. More research is needed to evaluate the potential effects of longer-term fostering in cats, as well as cat fostering practices that could lead to greater welfare benefits.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/17/2166cat<i>Felis catus</i>cat behaviorcat–human interactionsocial behaviorstress |
| spellingShingle | Kristyn R. Vitale Delaney H. Frank Jocelyn Conroy Monique A. R. Udell Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction Animals cat <i>Felis catus</i> cat behavior cat–human interaction social behavior stress |
| title | Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction |
| title_full | Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction |
| title_fullStr | Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction |
| title_short | Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat–Human Interaction |
| title_sort | cat foster program outcomes behavior stress and cat human interaction |
| topic | cat <i>Felis catus</i> cat behavior cat–human interaction social behavior stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/17/2166 |
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