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TYPES OF CATS
The predation issue is one source of confusion in the cat
management debate. Another is confusion over different types of
cats.
Cats ainít just cats! The domestic cat (Felis catus)
comes in six different categories. Appreciating the differences
between the six different types of cats is important for anyone
trying to resolve the community cat problems:
- pet cats These cats are kept as household pets and
somebody (the owner) accepts custodial responsibility.
Desexing is generally considered a prerequisite for inclusion
in this category.
- breeder cats These cats are kept specifically for
breeding purposes. As with pet cats, somebody (the owner)
accepts custodial responsibility.
- stray cats These cats are not claimed as owned by
anybody in particular but live in peripheral association with,
and remain dependent on, human community resources.
- barn (farm, gipsy) cats These cats are kept for
vermin control purposes rather than as pets. They are more
like livestock than pets. They are maintained at
least in part by farm owners.
- colony cats These cats live in non-residential,
municipal precincts eg. industrial, warehouse and docks areas,
rubbish tips, schools and hospitals. These cats are often fed
and to some degree managed by carers (cat lovers).
- feral cats These are genuinely wild cats living
without any support from human beings.
For further insights on categories of cats and management
implications, see the articles below:
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