There is the equivalent of 50 cats per city block living outdoors in Guelph, based on a University of Guelph study that estimates a population of at least 7,600 outdoor cats in the city.
Researchers counted cats everywhere – in city streets, on paths and down alleys, estimating totals for survey areas throughout the city.
Stray or feral cats are a big problem for many Ontario communities, and it appears to be a particularly big problem in low-income neighbourhoods, according to study co-author Jason Coe, a professor in U of G’s department of population medicine.
Where there is a high population of cats living outdoors, bird mortality is high. And complaint calls from residents also go way up. Having a fairly accurate idea of how many outdoor cats there are is an important step in addressing the problem, U of G researchers say.
In a university press release, Koe said knowing the numbers is the first step in crafting effective and humane management strategies for the population.
The study found there are more cats living in low-income housing areas than in high-income areas. Lead study author Tyler Flockhart, a post-doctorial researcher at U of G, said economic and ecological factors contribute to that reality.
It is believed that cats in low-income areas are less likely to be sterilized and therefore have more opportunities to breed.
Knowing where the highest numbers of outdoor cats live allows for targeted control of outdoor cat populations. Comparative studies between cat and bird populations allows for a better understanding of the impact outdoor cats have on the feathered population.
“The hope is that we can bring together cat supporters and bird advocates to take actions to improve cat welfare and reduce the effect of outdoor cats on birds,” said Flockhart in the release.
The study was published in the journal Animal Conservation.
