New Zealanders’ attitudes to outdoor access for owned domestic cats

Abstract

This study investigates domestic cat management practices in New Zealand, focusing on attitudes toward free-roaming (e.g., unrestricted outdoor access) among cat owners and non-owners. Most owned cats in New Zealand have some form of outdoor access, a debated topic centered around wildlife conservation and cat safety. Understanding factors influencing owner views about free-roaming is crucial for policy development. We distributed an online questionnaire to New Zealand residents (n = 1846) assessing attitudes toward cat free-roaming, current management, and the factors that predict both. Cat owners (82.2 %) were more likely to indicate cats should be allowed to free-roam (P < 0.0001) and that free-roaming is necessary for cats to have a good life (P < 0.0001), compared to non-cat owners. Younger respondents were more likely to favour restricting outdoor access compared to older age groups (P < 0.05). Urban respondents favoured restricting outdoor access compared to suburban or rural-based respondents (P < 0.05). Among cat owners, those providing vertical space and/or scratching areas were less likely to support free-roaming (P < 0.05) compared to those not providing these items. Conversely, owners not providing litter boxes were more likely to support free-roaming (P < 0.05). Owners interacting more than once daily with their cat through play were less likely to believe that free-roaming was necessary and more likely to restrict outdoor access. These results identify specific owner characteristics and care practices associated with attitudes toward indoor and outdoor cat management; these insights can guide stakeholders developing cat welfare policies and educational programs.