Spatial and temporal overlap of domestic cats (Felis catus) and native urban wildlife

Abstract

Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are known to pose threats to ecosystem health via transmission of zoonotic diseases and predation of native wildlife. Likewise, free-roaming cats are also susceptible to predation or disease transmission from native wildlife. Physical interactions are required for many of these risks to be manifested, necessitating spatial and temporal overlap between cats and wildlife species. Therefore, knowledge of the location and extent of shared habitat and activity periods would benefit management programs. We used data from a 3-year camera trap survey to model species-specific occupancy and identify landscape variables that contribute to the distribution of free-roaming domestic cats and eight native mammal species in Washington, DC. (USA). Our analysis includes five species that are common prey items of domestic cats, and three species that are potential disease vectors or are otherwise known to be a risk to cats. We then predicted the probability of occupancy and estimated the probability of spatial overlap between cats and each native wildlife species at multiple scales. We also used kernel density estimations to calculate temporal overlap between cats and each native wildlife species. Across spatial scales, occupancy for potential disease vector species was generally positively correlated with canopy cover and open water. Prey species were also generally positively correlated with canopy cover, but displayed negative associations with human population density and inconsistent associations with average per capita income. Domestic cat occupancy was negatively correlated with natural habitat characteristics and positively correlated with human population density. Predicted spatial overlap between domestic cats and native wildlife was greatest for potential disease vector species. Temporal overlap was high (>0.50) between cats and all but two native wildlife species, indicating that temporal overlap is probable wherever species overlap spatially. Our findings indicate that the risk to and from domestic cats varies across urban landscapes, but primarily arises from human activities. As such, humans are implicated in the negative outcomes that result from cats interacting with wildlife. Data-driven management to reduce such interactions can aid in cat population management, biodiversity conservation, and public health campaigns.

Avoiding novel, unwanted interactions among species to decrease risk of zoonoses

“…They also hybridize with and are prey to wild carnivores. Free‐roaming dogs and cats have long represented major public health threats and caused animal‐welfare concerns, and they are a significant source of several zoonotic diseases (rabies, toxoplasmosis, nematode parasites, plague, tularemia, murine typhus, among others) (Gerhold & Jessup, 2013; Herrera et al., 2022; Hughes & Macdonald, 2013; Slater, 2001).…”

The animal welfare, environmental impact, pest control functions, and disease effects of free‐ranging cats can be generalized and all are grounds for humanely reducing their numbers

“…In contrast, reports of poor health outcomes for other TNR projects include skin infections, weight loss, fight scars and blindness, alopecia, dental problems, anemia, diabetes, and FIV (Castro‐Prieto & Andrade‐Núñez, 2018; Seo et al, 2022, 2023). Furthermore, TNR feeding stations may encourage cat abandonment (Castillo & Clarke, 2003; Kilgour et al, 2017; Natoli et al, 2006), and attract native and invasive wildlife species, causing problems such as disease transmission (Herrera, Cove, McShea, Decker, et al, 2022; Tamayo‐Uria et al, 2014; Theimer et al, 2015).…”

Implementation of a targeted trap-neuter-return programme to manage the population of free- roaming cats (Felis silvestris catus) on Flores Island, Azores

“…Free-roaming cats, regardless of their origin (owned or unowned), are recognised as a potential threat to native wildlife in many countries [3][4][5][6]. Frequently described as invasive alien species, Felis silvestris catus (domestic cats) have been introduced in islands all over the world, resulting, according to some researchers, in a serious impact on native species, due to predation and hybridization [4,6].…”

“…Free-roaming cats, regardless of their origin (owned or unowned), are recognised as a potential threat to native wildlife in many countries [3][4][5][6]. Frequently described as invasive alien species, Felis silvestris catus (domestic cats) have been introduced in islands all over the world, resulting, according to some researchers, in a serious impact on native species, due to predation and hybridization [4,6]. Although preserving biodiversity is a major priority, especially in insular ecosystems, free-roaming cats are also associated with other problematic situations, for instance, the negative impact on public health [4,6,7].…”

“…Frequently described as invasive alien species, Felis silvestris catus (domestic cats) have been introduced in islands all over the world, resulting, according to some researchers, in a serious impact on native species, due to predation and hybridization [4,6]. Although preserving biodiversity is a major priority, especially in insular ecosystems, free-roaming cats are also associated with other problematic situations, for instance, the negative impact on public health [4,6,7]. Due to their large population in close contact with humans and their capacity to be carriers or hosts of zoonotic pathogens, free-roaming cats can play an important role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases [7].…”