Investigating Some of the Factors that Affect the Selection of Shelter Cats by Adopters in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Records on cat adoptions were collected from three cat shelters situated in different regions of the Czech Republic. Originally, 2,170 cats were admitted to the monitored shelters; of which 1,407 (65%) cats were adopted in the period from 2011 to 2015. Significantly (p < 0.001) greater numbers of cats were adopted in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. The differences in the numbers of adopted cats of different sex, age, or coat color corresponded with the differences in proportions of these characteristics in cats admitted to the monitored shelters. No effect of sex on time to adoption was found. However, age and coat color affected the length of stay (LOS). Geriatric cats had the greatest and adult cats the shortest LOS. Kittens, juveniles, and young adults did not differ in LOS but they all stayed in shelters longer (p < 0.05) than adult cats. The median length of the stay of dark-colored cats was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than that of cats with a light or medium shade of coat color. Significantly (p < 0.001) more cats were adopted by women (748; 76.2%) than by men (233; 23.8%). Understanding seasonal fluctuations in cat adoptions and potential adopters preferences is crucial for shelter personnel to establish effective procedures for rehoming shelter cats. Considering the relatively long time to adoption (median LOS = 69 days, mean LOS = 139 days, range = 0-1,600 days) more efforts should be put into seeking strategies for reducing this.