The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) conducted an Outdoor Cat Survey in August, seeking residents’ opinions on the welfare of cats allowed outside. The results indicate a significant resistance among Ottawa residents to allowing cats to roam unsupervised, with 76% of the 3,465 respondents opposing such practices. Only 15% supported it, while 9% remained undecided.
This survey was initiated in response to an increase in homeless cats admitted to the OHS, many originating from shelters overwhelmed by capacity issues. OHS President and CEO Sharon Miko expressed concern over the negative outcomes associated with outdoor cats, noting frequent distressing calls from owners whose cats have gone missing or have been found deceased.
Despite years of advocacy, the OHS has only managed to return 10% of stray cats to their owners, an improvement from 2%, but still insufficient. Community feedback from the survey is set to inform OHS’s strategies aimed at preventing cat homelessness and enhancing overall animal welfare.
The survey also examined free-roaming cat populations and community concerns, revealing that sightings were most common near waterfront areas. Interestingly, the majority of participants reported seeing fewer than two cats, while those who noted sightings of five to eleven cats were primarily from suburban neighborhoods.
Concerns highlighted by respondents included the risk of injury from vehicles, health issues, and the environmental impact of outdoor cats on local wildlife. The OHS plans to utilize this data to better the conditions for outdoor cats in Ottawa and is collaborating with community stakeholders to promote a more compassionate approach to animal care.
Miko emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “Working together, we can do so much more for Ottawa’s animals and build a more humane and compassionate community for all.”
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