Maggie Roberts of Cats Protection (www.cats.org.uk) delivered this presentation to the International Companion Animal Welfare Conference (ICAWC) 2009. It is designed to give basic information about caring for cats and dogs in a shelter environment. ICAWC is an annual European conference organised by Dogs Trust. See www.icawc.org for more details and to download further resources.

1. Dogs are from Mars – Cats areDogs are from Mars – Cats are
from Venusfrom Venus
Maggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVSMaggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVS
Director of Veterinary ServicesDirector of Veterinary Services
Cats ProtectionCats Protection
ICAWC 2009ICAWC 2009

3. What is this?What is this?

4. It’s a small dog!It’s a small dog!

5. What is this?What is this?

6. It’s not a small dog!It’s not a small dog!

7. The differences between dogsThe differences between dogs
and cats!and cats!
 Dogs come when you call them. Cats take aDogs come when you call them. Cats take a
message and get back to you when they aremessage and get back to you when they are
good and ready.good and ready.
 Dogs will give you unconditional love forever.Dogs will give you unconditional love forever.
Cats will make you pay for every mistakeCats will make you pay for every mistake
you’ve ever made since the day you wereyou’ve ever made since the day you were
born.born.
 Dogs will tilt their heads and listen wheneverDogs will tilt their heads and listen whenever
you talk. Cats will yawn and close their eyes.you talk. Cats will yawn and close their eyes.
 Dogs will bring you your slippers or theDogs will bring you your slippers or the
evening newspaper. Cats might bring you aevening newspaper. Cats might bring you a
dead mouse.dead mouse.

8. The differences between dogsThe differences between dogs
and cats!and cats!
 Dogs will greet you andDogs will greet you and
lick your face when youlick your face when you
come home from work.come home from work.
Cats will be mad that youCats will be mad that you
went to work at all.went to work at all.
 Dogs will sit on the carDogs will sit on the car
seat next to you. Catsseat next to you. Cats
have to have their ownhave to have their own
private box or they willprivate box or they will
not go at all.not go at all.
 Dogs have owners, catsDogs have owners, cats
have staff.have staff.

9. Considerations in the shelterConsiderations in the shelter
environment forenvironment for anyany speciesspecies
Evolutionary originEvolutionary origin
BehaviourBehaviour
Exercise and mentalExercise and mental
stimulationstimulation
AccommodationAccommodation
Reproductive cycleReproductive cycle
DietDiet
Disease and itsDisease and its
preventionprevention

10. Evolutionary origins - dogsEvolutionary origins - dogs
 Descended from wolvesDescended from wolves
and other wild dogsand other wild dogs
 Pack animalsPack animals
 Social speciesSocial species
 HierarchyHierarchy
 Hunt and scavengeHunt and scavenge
 Been domesticated forBeen domesticated for
15-30,000 years15-30,000 years
 Huge variation in size,Huge variation in size,
shape and use throughshape and use through
domestication anddomestication and
selective breedingselective breeding

11. Evolutionary origin - catsEvolutionary origin - cats
 Descended from theDescended from the
African WildcatAfrican Wildcat
 Solitary hunterSolitary hunter
 Not social as not evolvedNot social as not evolved
to live in close proximityto live in close proximity
to other catsto other cats
 Highly territorialHighly territorial
 Been domesticated forBeen domesticated for
approx 6,000 yearsapprox 6,000 years
 Have not changed muchHave not changed much
in shape and size sincein shape and size since
domesticationdomestication

12. Behaviour - DogsBehaviour - Dogs
 Evolved to live in groupsEvolved to live in groups
 Generally sociable andGenerally sociable and
like companylike company
 Developed ways ofDeveloped ways of
communicating withcommunicating with
others through facialothers through facial
expressions, stance andexpressions, stance and
voicevoice
 Respond well to trainingRespond well to training

13. Behaviour - catsBehaviour - cats
 Can live in groups of relatedCan live in groups of related
females and young malesfemales and young males
 Tend to act independentlyTend to act independently
 Generally stressed by theGenerally stressed by the
presence of strange catspresence of strange cats
 Communicate through smellCommunicate through smell
 Do not have a wide range ofDo not have a wide range of
facial expressionsfacial expressions
 Deal with conflict byDeal with conflict by
hiding/fleeing/climbing ifhiding/fleeing/climbing if
possiblepossible

14. SocialisationSocialisation
PuppiesPuppies
 Sensitive period is betweenSensitive period is between
3-12 weeks3-12 weeks
 Must be exposed to aMust be exposed to a
variety of people, animals,variety of people, animals,
sounds etc during thissounds etc during this
period to avoid beingperiod to avoid being
fearful of them laterfearful of them later
 Need interactive playNeed interactive play
 Even if socialised before 12Even if socialised before 12
weeks can regress toweeks can regress to
fearfulness in the absencefearfulness in the absence
of social contactof social contact
KittensKittens
 Sensitive period isSensitive period is
between 2-7 weeksbetween 2-7 weeks
 Must be exposed to aMust be exposed to a
variety of people,variety of people,
animals, sounds etcanimals, sounds etc
during this period toduring this period to
avoid being fearful ofavoid being fearful of
them laterthem later
 If not handled during thisIf not handled during this
period they are unlikelyperiod they are unlikely
ever to become veryever to become very
sociable petssociable pets

15. Socialisation of kittensSocialisation of kittens
 Socialisation is very time-Socialisation is very time-
consuming and needsconsuming and needs
experienced, patientexperienced, patient
staff/volunteers.staff/volunteers.
 Need to put kittens inNeed to put kittens in
kitten pen in a busy partkitten pen in a busy part
of the shelter or property.of the shelter or property.
 Feral kittens that are oldFeral kittens that are old
enough (from 6 weeks)enough (from 6 weeks)
can be neutered andcan be neutered and
returned rather thanreturned rather than
socialised.socialised.

16. Exercise and mental stimulationExercise and mental stimulation
- dogs- dogs
Can be taken forCan be taken for
walkswalks
Changes environmentChanges environment
Allows exerciseAllows exercise
Can undergo training,Can undergo training,
agility etcagility etc
Need variety of toysNeed variety of toys
and activitiesand activities

17. Exercise and mental stimulationExercise and mental stimulation
- cats- cats
 Generally restricted to theGenerally restricted to the
run or penrun or pen
 Need to be encouraged toNeed to be encouraged to
exercise and playexercise and play
 Need to exhibit huntingNeed to exhibit hunting
behaviourbehaviour
 Need to have somethingNeed to have something
to scratch onto scratch on
 Need facilities on differentNeed facilities on different
levels for climbing,levels for climbing,
perching etcperching etc

18. ExerciseExercise

19. StimulationStimulation

20. ToysToys – mimic prey through shape,– mimic prey through shape,
texture and movementtexture and movement

21. AccommodationAccommodation
DogsDogs
Happier withHappier with
companionscompanions
Need adequate floorNeed adequate floor
area but height not soarea but height not so
importantimportant
Sound-proofingSound-proofing
CatsCats
Prefer to be on theirPrefer to be on their
own (or with a familiarown (or with a familiar
cat)cat)
Stressed by seeingStressed by seeing
other catsother cats
Need places to hide,Need places to hide,
climb and perchclimb and perch

22. Cat pen designCat pen design
• Safe and secure – safetySafe and secure – safety
corridorscorridors
• Adequate ventilation – 6Adequate ventilation – 6
to 12 air changes/hrto 12 air changes/hr
• Adequate temperature –Adequate temperature –
Ideally 15-24Ideally 15-24°°CC
• Smooth surfaces, non-Smooth surfaces, non-
porous surfacesporous surfaces
• Solid (ideally opaque)Solid (ideally opaque)
barriers between cats –barriers between cats –
sneeze barrierssneeze barriers

23. Cat pen designCat pen design
• Ease of cleaning/accessEase of cleaning/access
catscats
• Ease of public viewingEase of public viewing
• Adequate space for catsAdequate space for cats
to exerciseto exercise
• Ideally separate sleepingIdeally separate sleeping
area and runarea and run
• Food bowls and litterFood bowls and litter
trays kept separatelytrays kept separately
• Areas for cats to feelAreas for cats to feel
secure and hidesecure and hide
• Areas to climb andAreas to climb and
perchperch

24. Cat pen designCat pen design

25. Reproductive cycleReproductive cycle
DogDog
Comes into seasonComes into season
twice yearlytwice yearly
Easier to controlEasier to control
whether bitch iswhether bitch is
matedmated
Some debate aboutSome debate about
risks of earlyrisks of early
neuteringneutering
CatCat
Has many seasons inHas many seasons in
one yearone year
Can have up to 3Can have up to 3
litters a yearlitters a year
Difficult to avoidDifficult to avoid
pregnancy if goingpregnancy if going
outside and un-outside and un-
neuteredneutered

26. Cats are very good atCats are very good at
reproducing!reproducing!
One entire female can be responsible for theOne entire female can be responsible for the
production of over 20,000 kittens in 5 yearsproduction of over 20,000 kittens in 5 years

27. Early NeuteringEarly Neutering
 The key to neuteringThe key to neutering
being effective atbeing effective at
population control is topopulation control is to
neuter before sexualneuter before sexual
maturity, particularlymaturity, particularly
before a female’s firstbefore a female’s first
seasonseason
 Studies show noStudies show no
increased surgical,increased surgical,
anaesthetic oranaesthetic or
developmental risks withdevelopmental risks with
pre-pubertal neuteringpre-pubertal neutering

28. Early neuteringEarly neutering
 Advantages of earlyAdvantages of early
neutering (pre-puberty)neutering (pre-puberty)
resulting in:resulting in:
Fewer unwantedFewer unwanted
kittenskittens
Fewer homed cats toFewer homed cats to
follow upfollow up
Fewer cats presentedFewer cats presented
for neutering beingfor neutering being
pregnantpregnant
Easier surgically dueEasier surgically due
to less body fat andto less body fat and
smaller blood vesselssmaller blood vessels
Quicker recoveryQuicker recovery

29. DietDiet
DogsDogs
 Originally predators andOriginally predators and
scavengersscavengers
 Although generallyAlthough generally
considered carnivores areconsidered carnivores are
more omnivorousmore omnivorous
 Can survive on aCan survive on a
vegetarian dietvegetarian diet
 Can tolerate prolongedCan tolerate prolonged
fasting and can use bodyfasting and can use body
fat efficientlyfat efficiently
CatsCats
 Supreme predatorsSupreme predators
 Obligate carnivoresObligate carnivores
 Cannot survive on aCannot survive on a
vegetarian dietvegetarian diet
 Do not tolerate starvationDo not tolerate starvation
wellwell

30. NB If you want a vegetarian pet….NB If you want a vegetarian pet….
……get a rabbit!get a rabbit!

31. Feline dietFeline diet
 Need higher levels of proteinNeed higher levels of protein
than dogsthan dogs
 MUST have a meat-based dietMUST have a meat-based diet
 Would eat 9 mice daily in theWould eat 9 mice daily in the
wildwild
 When healthy, drink less thanWhen healthy, drink less than
dogs as were desert animalsdogs as were desert animals
 Require certain essentialRequire certain essential
nutrients including taurine,nutrients including taurine,
arachidonic acid and pre-arachidonic acid and pre-
formed Vitamin A that are onlyformed Vitamin A that are only
available from animal sourcesavailable from animal sources
 Can develop a fatal liverCan develop a fatal liver
condition called hepaticcondition called hepatic
lipidosis if not eating for a fewlipidosis if not eating for a few
days, especially if obesedays, especially if obese

32. DiseaseDisease
DogsDogs
 Show pain or illness moreShow pain or illness more
overtlyovertly
 Show stress more overtlyShow stress more overtly
 When ill with infectiousWhen ill with infectious
disease tend to get better ordisease tend to get better or
diedie
 Carrier states less commonCarrier states less common
CatsCats
 Hide pain very wellHide pain very well
 May not show overt signsMay not show overt signs
of stressof stress
 With infectious disease,With infectious disease,
can often becan often be
symptomless carriers orsymptomless carriers or
recover but still shed therecover but still shed the
organism especially whenorganism especially when
stressedstressed
 Do not tolerate certainDo not tolerate certain
drugs such as NSAIDs asdrugs such as NSAIDs as
well as dogswell as dogs

33. Feline infectious diseaseFeline infectious disease
 Many diseases can haveMany diseases can have
a carrier state e.g. FeLV,a carrier state e.g. FeLV,
FIV, feline herpesvirus,FIV, feline herpesvirus,
feline calicivirusfeline calicivirus
 Stress tends to increaseStress tends to increase
shedding of organismsshedding of organisms
and susceptibilityand susceptibility
 Disease is worse inDisease is worse in
overcrowded, poorlyovercrowded, poorly
ventilated sheltersventilated shelters

34. Controlling feline infectiousControlling feline infectious
diseasedisease
• Avoid overcrowdingAvoid overcrowding
• Keep cats singly where possibleKeep cats singly where possible
• Avoid cats sharing litter traysAvoid cats sharing litter trays
• Reduce stressReduce stress
• Use isolationUse isolation
• Barrier nursingBarrier nursing
• Stringent hygiene/disinfection regimeStringent hygiene/disinfection regime
• Stop the movement of cats in affected areaStop the movement of cats in affected area
• VaccinationVaccination
• Screen for disease where possibleScreen for disease where possible

35. Common signs of stressCommon signs of stress
DogsDogs
 AvoidanceAvoidance
 Defensive aggressionDefensive aggression
 Howling/barkingHowling/barking
 PacingPacing
 PantingPanting
 DiggingDigging
 Excessive activityExcessive activity
 EliminationElimination
 AnorexiaAnorexia
 Compulsive behaviourCompulsive behaviour
(tail chasing etc)(tail chasing etc)
CatsCats
 AvoidanceAvoidance
 HidingHiding
 ReducedReduced
activity/immobilityactivity/immobility
 ClimbingClimbing
 Elimination/sprayingElimination/spraying
 Reduction inReduction in
maintenance behavioursmaintenance behaviours
(sleeping, grooming,(sleeping, grooming,
eating, elimination etc)eating, elimination etc)
 Excessive groomingExcessive grooming
 PantingPanting
 AggressionAggression

36. Avoiding stress in cats inAvoiding stress in cats in
sheltersshelters
AcuteAcute stress on arrival is helped bystress on arrival is helped by
Giving the cat somewhere to hideGiving the cat somewhere to hide
Preventing the cats looking directly at other catsPreventing the cats looking directly at other cats
Providing a regular and predictable routineProviding a regular and predictable routine
Having the same person deal with the cat each dayHaving the same person deal with the cat each day
ChronicChronic stress occurs after time and is helped bystress occurs after time and is helped by
Using different toys and active playUsing different toys and active play
Using puzzle feeders and making them work for their foodUsing puzzle feeders and making them work for their food
Varying the routine with regard to people and timingVarying the routine with regard to people and timing

37. Thank You!Thank You!
Cats were once worshipped as gods and they’veCats were once worshipped as gods and they’ve
never forgotten it!never forgotten it!

38. Any questions?Any questions?