In animal shelters and rescue organizations, cats are among the most frequently rehomed pets. Many cats end up in these environments due to behavioral issues, changes in their caregivers’ living situations, or the arrival of a new family member. A substantial number of these cats are either stray or feral (Figure 10.1). Annually, approximately two million cats are adopted from shelters, accounting for about 25% of all cat adoptions (ASPCA 2024; New et al. 2004; Patronek et al. 1997). Research indicates that factors such as temperament, personality, appearance, behavior with people, and age play significant roles in the adoption of both dogs and cats (Podbersek and Blackshaw 1988; Weiss et al. 2012). For kittens, personality and playfulness are influential factors, whereas for adult cats, their behavior with people is more influential (Dybdall and Strasser 2011; Fantuzzi et al. 2010; Gourkow and Fraser 2006; Weiss et al. 2012). Ultimately, in selecting a cat, programs like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) Meet Your Match® Feline‐ality program and FeBarq can assist potential adopters in finding adult cats that best align with their lifestyle, needs, and interests (Duffy et al. 2017). Figure 10.1 It can be difficult to distinguish feral cats in the shelter environment. Making this distinction is needed when reaching outcome decisions. Source: Tim Raack / Pexels. Cats transitioning to new homes from shelters face distinct challenges, differing from those raised in stable environments. A primary challenge for these cats is the stress associated with relocation and adapting to new, unfamiliar surroundings. As creatures of habit, cats may find abrupt changes disorienting and anxiety inducing. To facilitate a smoother transition, adopters need to create a secure and welcoming space. This space should include hiding spots and vertical areas where the cat can feel safe. Additionally, adopters must exercise patience while acclimating a shelter cat to their new home. Allowing the cat to explore and adjust at their own pace helps them acclimate faster. Cats are naturally selectively social, solitary hunters, and often territorial. They typically do not favor the company of other cats, making the introduction of a new kitten or cat into a cat‐free household often more straightforward. However, it is possible for cats to form strong social bonds with others, though this can take time and is not always guaranteed. New kittens, while energetic and requiring certain adjustments like kitten‐proofing the home and basic training (such as carrier tolerance and nail trims), offer a lot of joy with their playfulness and curiosity. On the other hand, adult and senior cats from shelters or rescues might be better suited for those seeking a calmer and more independent companion such as new cat owners or elderly individuals. If there is already a dog in the home, selecting a cat that has had positive experience with dogs previously can help make the transition smoother (Figure 10.2). Introducing a new cat into a home with existing cats can be a delicate process, especially considering the age and temperament of the resident cats. Adult cats may adapt more easily to new kittens than to other adult cats. Older, geriatric cats often get along better with new companions who are of a similar age and temperament. The sex of neutered cats typically does not significantly affect their ability to bond, although neutered males are generally more accepting. Figure 10.2 Adopting a cat from the shelter has many benefits. How cats are selected depends on individual preferences. Source: S Fanti/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock. Figure 10.3 When introducing a new cat into the household, the appropriate number of resources helps to reduce environmental stress. Source: svetlanais/Adobe Stock. The number of available resources significantly influences the size of a cat colony. When introducing a new cat, having adequate resources such as litter boxes and feeding stations to minimize conflicts is a necessity (Figure 10.3). For those considering multiple cats, adopting littermates, a bonded adult pair, or compatible kittens of the same age is typically the best approach. This method helps alleviate territorial stress and reduces conflicts that might occur when a new cat enters the environment of an existing cat. Understanding the specific behavior and temperament of each cat is essential for effectively matching shelter cats with potential adoptive homes. A cat’s behavior can be influenced by various factors, including the shelter environment. Therefore, it is beneficial to gather information from multiple sources and, where available, insights from previous owners can be particularly valuable (Janeczko 2015). This comprehensive understanding not only aids in finding suitable homes for the cats but also helps in providing appropriate care while they remain in the shelter. Interviewing the previous caregiver when a cat is surrendered to a shelter provides invaluable insights. Collecting intake information from these caregivers allows for a deeper understanding of the cat’s needs, behavior in a familiar home environment, and the reasons for surrender. Having this knowledge before the cat encounters the inherent stress of the shelter environment is beneficial. Sheltering can be extremely stressful for almost all cats, with some taking months to adapt to the shelter environment and others never fully adjusting during their entire stay (Broadley et al. 2014; Kessler and Turner 1997; Rochlitz et al. 1998). This stress significantly affects behavior, often leading to unexpected actions (Janeczko 2015) and posing health and safety risks for both the animals and staff. It also complicates the accurate assessment of an animal’s typical behavior. Furthermore, cats experiencing higher stress levels are less likely to be adopted (Dybdall et al. 2007; Fantuzzi et al. 2010), resulting in prolonged shelter stays and increased stress, which further diminish their chances of future adoption. Therefore, it is critical to identify and address stress in shelter animals as soon as possible. Daily interactions between shelter staff and cats can yield a wealth of information about each individual cat’s behavior. Staff should record and analyze these observations to reveal a cat’s preferences and assist in matching them to a suitable home. This also gives an opportunity for staff to learn the preferred handling methods of the cats, their level of sociability, and housing preferences (Janeczko 2015). Additionally, these observations can alert staff as to when problems may be developing. Changes in behavior often signal illness, and attentive observation enables staff to intervene early when medical issues arise (Camps et al. 2019). Providing prompt medical treatment reduces the stress experienced by the animals, promoting more positive welfare. This not only benefits their health but also increases their chances of being adopted. When assessing cats, formal behavior evaluations measure consistent behaviors and enable comparisons in similar circumstances over time, providing insights into an individual animal’s behavior (Ellis 2022; Mendl and Harcourt 2000). However, it is important to recognize the potential unreliability of these evaluations due to several factors (Mornement et al. 2014; Patronek et al. 2019). The stress from the shelter environment significantly impacts a cat’s behavior during evaluations, especially if they are conducted shortly after the cat’s arrival (Broadley et al. 2014; Kessler and Turner 1997; Rochlitz et al. 1998), necessitating a minimum of three days for cats to acclimate to the shelter before being evaluated. During this acclimation period, stress‐minimizing efforts are crucial, including the use of Low Stress Handling® techniques, spot cleaning, and careful observation of the cat’s body language (Griffin 2022). Because these evaluations capture behavior at a specific moment, they might not accurately reflect an animal’s behavior in various settings such as a home environment (Newbury et al. 2010). Additionally, variability in results can arise from the differing education and training levels of the staff and volunteers conducting these evaluations (Mornement et al. 2010). Therefore, a thorough evaluation should encompass additional sources of information, including the cat’s history from previous caregivers and observations by shelter staff, to aid in effectively matching a cat with a new home (Janeczko 2015). The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match Feline‐ality program is one type of behavior assessment designed to pair shelter cats with the most compatible potential adoptive homes, taking into account not only the cat’s behavior but also the preferences and goals of the adopter. The outcome of the evaluation places each cat into one of nine “feline‐alities”: For each of these feline‐alities there is a description available on the ASPCA Meet Your Match website (https://aspcameetyourmatch.org/feline‐alities). These descriptions provide potential adopters with a better understanding of what to expect from a cat with a particular feline‐ality, including likely behaviors and traits. The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match Feline‐ality program also categorizes the nine feline‐alities into three major adopter groups. These groups are determined based on survey results completed by potential adopters: This classification system considers the personality and lifestyle of the adopter, along with their expectations and desires for a feline companion. By using this tailored pairing system, potential adopters can more accurately select a shelter cat that will fit well into their home environment. Should adopters be interested in a cat from a different color group than their survey suggests, shelter staff can offer additional education and information. This advice focuses on the specific needs, preferences, and behaviors of the selected cat, thus increasing the chances of a successful adoption (ASPCA 2008). Shelter cats frequently display behavior problems, which can stem from past experiences or the stress of the shelter environment. It is important to recognize and address these issues to give these cats the best opportunity for a successful and compatible life in a new home. Aggression and house‐soiling are among the most common behavior problems seen in shelter cats. There are different types of aggression in cats, each requiring a different approach for management and treatment (Table 10.1). Commonly seen in kittens and young adult cats, play aggression involves overly excited behaviors during play such as biting or scratching. Though not typically malicious, it can be painful or frightening for humans. Recognizing signs of play aggression and providing appropriate outlets for a cat’s energy, like interactive toys and “hands free” play sessions, can help reduce and manage this behavior. Table 10.1 Different types of feline aggression and their management strategies. As territorial animals, cats can become aggressive when housed in close quarters with unfamiliar cats. Aggressive behaviors may range from hissing and growling to physical altercations. Adopters should introduce cats to each other gradually, allowing them to become familiar with each other’s scent and presence before attempting direct interactions. On entering a shelter many cats undergo significant stress, which can trigger fear‐based aggression (Janeczko 2015
10
The Shelter Cat
Unique Needs for Rehomed and Shelter Cats
Selecting a New Cat
Selecting a New Cat in Multicat Households
Assessing Shelter Cat Behavior
Previous Caregiver Interviews
Shelter Observations
The Role of Formal Behavior Evaluations in Shelters
Behavior Assessment Tools
ASPCA Meet Your Match Feline‐ality
Matching Adopters with Cats
Common Behavior Problems in Shelter Cats
Aggression in Shelter Cats: Types and Management
Play Aggression
Type of aggression
Description
Play aggression
Common in kittens and young adult cats, involves biting or scratching during play. Mitigated by providing interactive toys and play sessions.
Aggression toward other cats
Cats may become aggressive in close quarters with unfamiliar cats, showing hissing, growling, or physical altercations. Gradual introductions are recommended.
Fear‐based aggression
Stress in the shelter can lead to fear‐based aggression. Important to distinguish if aggression is due to stress or if the cat is feral. Practices vary among shelters. Common at the veterinary hospital.
Petting‐induced aggression
Unexpected aggression during petting, possibly due to overstimulation or pain. Signs include dilated pupils and tail lashing. Gentle, brief stroking is advised.
Redirected aggression
Occurs when a cat cannot respond to a stimulus and redirects aggression. Common triggers are loud noises or the sight of stray cats. Minimize exposure to these triggers.
Pain‐induced aggression
Occurs in response to pain, leading to aggression to avoid touch or movement. Management includes avoiding touching painful areas and effective pain control.
Territorial aggression
Cats defend their territories and may show aggression toward new or returning cats. Slow introductions and creating separate spaces can help.
Maternal aggression
Queens nursing kittens may show aggression. Providing a quiet, low‐stress environment and limiting visitor contact helps in managing this behavior.
Aggression Toward Other Cats
Fear‐Based Aggression
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