Ma Gemma C, McLeod Lynette J
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New South Wales, Yagoona, NSW 2199, Australia.
Animals (Basel). 2023 May 12;13(10):1630. doi: 10.3390/ani13101630.
There are over 5 million pet cats in Australia managed on a spectrum from fully indoors to completely outdoor free roaming. Roaming cats threaten biodiversity, can create a nuisance and are at risk of accidents and injury. Hence, there is substantial interest in behaviour change interventions to increase cat containment. An online questionnaire collected information on cat owner demographics, the number of cats owned, current containment behaviours and an agreement with 15 capability, opportunity and motivation (COM) items. Responses were received from 4482 cat owners. More than half (65%) indicated that they currently keep their cat(s) fully contained. Another 24% practiced a night curfew. Owners' psychological capability had the greatest influence on containment behaviour. Motivation (community- and cat welfare-framed), living in an apartment and renting were also associated with a greater likelihood of containment. Cat owners not currently containing their cats could be divided into six profiles who differed on agreement with COM themes, age, future intentions, current behaviour, location and gender. Understanding differences between cat owner segments can assist with designing behaviour change interventions. Increasing cat owners' psychological capability to contain their cats and encouraging the adoption of a night curfew as a first step towards 24 h containment are recommended.
在澳大利亚，有超过500万只宠物猫，它们的活动范围从完全室内饲养到完全户外自由放养不等。四处游荡的猫会威胁生物多样性，可能会造成滋扰，并且有遭遇事故和受伤的风险。因此，人们对改变行为的干预措施以增加猫的圈养程度有着浓厚的兴趣。一份在线调查问卷收集了有关猫主人的人口统计学信息、所养猫的数量、当前的圈养行为以及对15项能力、机会和动机（COM）项目的认同情况。共收到4482位猫主人的回复。超过一半（65%）的人表示他们目前会让猫完全处于圈养状态。另外24%的人实行夜间宵禁。主人的心理能力对圈养行为的影响最大。动机（以社区和猫福利为框架）、居住在公寓以及租房也与更高的圈养可能性相关。目前没有圈养猫的主人可分为六种类型，他们在对COM主题的认同、年龄、未来意图、当前行为、地点和性别方面存在差异。了解不同猫主人群体之间的差异有助于设计行为改变干预措施。建议提高猫主人圈养猫的心理能力，并鼓励采取夜间宵禁作为迈向24小时圈养的第一步。
