Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the behavioural characteristics and success of adoption for previously hoarded cats.
Methods: Shelter records and post-adoption surveys were analysed for hoarded cats ⩾6 months old at intake. A non-standard scoring system was used. Intake scores were allocated contemporaneously, and socialisation scores were applied retrospectively for three time points (TPs): 5-10 days post-intake (shelter TP), ⩽1 week post-adoption (home TP1) and >1 week post-adoption (home TP2). Adoption returns were compared between hoarded and non-hoarded cats.
Results: The study included 195 hoarded cats, of which 174 were adopted. Of 164 cats with intake scores, 86 (52 per cent) were scored as ‘friendly’ at intake. Forty-five cats had socialization scores for all of the TPs, and of these, the percentages of ‘supersocial’ or ‘social’ decreased from 87 per cent at the shelter TP to 47 per cent at home TP1, then increased to 84 per cent at home TP2. Most cats that scored as ‘tense’ at intake had supersocial or social scores at home TP2. Nine of the 88 cats with survey results had out-of-box (OOB) elimination in either the shelter or home but only 1/88 in both. Adopters expressed positive feelings for 42/43 cats for which feelings-based language was used in their survey responses. Notable behaviours, such as neediness, were recorded for 48/88 cats. Relationships with other household pets were typically positive. Eighteen of 174 hoarded (10 per cent) and 188/2662 non-hoarded (7.1 per cent) cats were returned post-adoption. Of these, six hoarded and 87 non-hoarded returns included behavioural reasons. There were no significant differences between hoarded and non-hoarded cats for total or behavioural returns.
Conclusions and relevance: Hoarded cats had high adoption rates, high adopter satisfaction and the potential for good emotional well-being in adoptive homes. Behaviour at intake and OOB elimination in the shelter may not reflect post-adoption behaviour. Behaviour-based outcome decisions for these vulnerable animals should be deferred to allow time for habituation.
Linda S Jacobson 1, Jacklyn J Ellis 1, Kyrsten J Janke 1, Jolene A Giacinti 2, Jyothi V Robertson 3
J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Aug;24(8):e232-e243.doi: 10.1177/1098612X221102122.
1Toronto Humane Society, Toronto, Canada.
2Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada.
3JVR Shelter Strategies, Belmont, CA, USA.
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