Why People Choose Not to Own Cats

Posted on January 1, 2010

The Morris Animal Foundation surveyed over 1,100 people to look at the reasons why people did not currently or previously own cats. More than half of these non-cat owners had negative feelings toward cats and the main drivers for negative views were shedding, litter box smell, biting, and perceived inability to coexist with other pets. Nearly 1/3 of respondents indicated that a household member with allergies to cats was responsible. The most common negative behaviors described about cats were jumping on counters, scratching furniture, and vomiting hairballs.

The study also assessed demographic factors related to attitudes about cats. Respondents that were young (18-24 years) or single were more likely to have a positive attitude about cats. People living in suburban areas were more likely to view cats favorably than those in urban or rural areas. Hispanics and men were also more likely to consider getting a cat than women or people of other ethnicities. Annual income of <$40,000 or >80,000 was associated with a more favorable attitude about cats. Ten percent of respondents said they would consider having a cat and an additional 22% said they would “maybe consider” having one.

The Morris Animal Foundation estimates that if 10% of households not owning a cat would consider one, 6.2 (million?) additional cats could find a home which is more than the number of cats and dogs euthanized at shelters each year. It is hoped that educating the public about feline behavioral training and marketing toward the demographic groups most likely to consider having a cat will allow more cats to find homes and result in fewer being euthanized in shelters. The Morris Animal Foundation is also funding research to identify specific feline antigens that lead to human allergies.

For more information about this work from the Morris Animal Foundation, please follow this link: http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/cattitudes