ABSTRACT Free-roaming cats present a multidisciplinary challenge for wildlife conservation and feline welfare. Veterinary professionals are critical stake-holders in the issue of free-roaming cats, making it imperative that their attitudes and perspectives are well understood. In this study, we conducted an electronic survey of veterinarians practicing across British Columbia to evaluate their perceptions of 1) whether cat overpopulation is a concern, 2) the impacts of cats on wildlife, and 3) alternative management strategies for dealing with cat overpopulation. Of the 389 respondents, 56% agreed that cat overpopulation was a local problem, and 91% agreed that veterinarians play a role in reducing cat overpopulation. Veterinarians in rural communities had a greater involvement in cat overpopulation and perceived it as more problematic than their urban colleagues. The majority (70%) of veterinarians reported that they performed early-age sterilization, supported the principle of low-cost spay-neuter services (67%), and 65% of them were involved in these services. Just over half (54%) of respondents reported that they provide permanent identification to cats, typically offering both microchips and tattoos. Veterinarians were less cohesive on their perceptions of the impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife: 53% agreed that after habitat loss cats are one of the most significant, direct causes of bird and wildlife mortality, while 30% were neutral and 17% disagreed. Fifty-six percent of veterinarians felt that keeping cats indoors would be one of the most effective strategies to reduce cat impacts on wildlife, but they also felt that public education programs and low-cost spay-neuter programs would be effective and more popular with cat owners. Most veterinarians (79%) recommended against unsupervised outdoor access, citing safety and disease risks. Rodent control was the most common reason for not recommending an indoor lifestyle. Overall, our survey results suggest that veterinarians are committed participants in the prevention of cat overpopulation. Conservationists need to focus on increased engagement with veterinarians regarding the impact of cats on wildlife.

中文翻译：

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不列颠哥伦比亚省兽医对减少猫科动物数量过多和对野生动物种群影响的猫科管理策略的看法

摘要 自由漫游的猫对野生动物保护和猫科动物福利提出了多学科挑战。兽医专业人士是自由漫游猫问题的关键利益相关者，因此必须充分了解他们的态度和观点。在这项研究中，我们对在不列颠哥伦比亚省执业的兽医进行了电子调查，以评估他们对 1) 猫种群过剩是否是一个问题的看法，2) 猫对野生动物的影响，以及 3) 处理猫种群过剩的替代管理策略。在 389 名受访者中，56% 的人同意猫种群过剩是当地的问题，91% 的人同意兽医在减少猫种群过剩方面发挥作用。农村社区的兽医更多地参与了猫种群过剩的问题，并认为它比城市同事更成问题。大多数 (70%) 兽医报告说他们进行了早期绝育，支持低成本绝育服务的原则 (67%)，其中 65% 参与了这些服务。超过一半 (54%) 的受访者表示，他们为猫提供永久身份证明，通常同时提供微芯片和纹身。兽医对自由漫游的猫对野生动物的影响的看法不太一致：53% 的人同意，在栖息地丧失后，猫是鸟类和野生动物死亡的最重要、最直接的原因之一，而 30% 的人持中立态度，17% 的人不同意. 56% 的兽医认为将猫留在室内是减少猫对野生动物影响的最有效策略之一，但他们也认为公共教育计划和低成本的绝育计划会更有效，并且更受猫的欢迎拥有者。大多数兽医 (79%) 以安全和疾病风险为由，建议不要进行无人监督的户外活动。啮齿动物控制是不推荐室内生活方式的最常见原因。总体而言，我们的调查结果表明，兽医是预防猫种群过剩的坚定参与者。保护主义者需要关注增加与兽医的接触，讨论猫对野生动物的影响。但他们也认为公共教育计划和低成本的绝育计划会更有效并且更受猫主人的欢迎。大多数兽医 (79%) 以安全和疾病风险为由，建议不要进行无人监督的户外活动。啮齿动物控制是不推荐室内生活方式的最常见原因。总体而言，我们的调查结果表明，兽医是预防猫种群过剩的坚定参与者。保护主义者需要关注增加与兽医的接触，讨论猫对野生动物的影响。但他们也认为公共教育计划和低成本的绝育计划会更有效并且更受猫主人的欢迎。大多数兽医 (79%) 以安全和疾病风险为由，建议不要进行无人监督的户外活动。啮齿动物控制是不推荐室内生活方式的最常见原因。总体而言，我们的调查结果表明，兽医是预防猫种群过剩的坚定参与者。保护主义者需要关注增加与兽医的接触，讨论猫对野生动物的影响。我们的调查结果表明，兽医是预防猫过度繁殖的坚定参与者。保护主义者需要关注增加与兽医的接触，讨论猫对野生动物的影响。我们的调查结果表明，兽医是预防猫种群过剩的坚定参与者。保护主义者需要关注增加与兽医的接触，讨论猫对野生动物的影响。