A Vision for a Stress-Free Shelter
Media Contact:
Tina M. Martinez, 800.243.2345 tmartinez@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
Morris Animal Foundation–funded researcher takes the lead in helping shelter cats
June 22, 2011
Denver— Cats may have nine lives, but for those who are homeless, life can be short. Millions of homeless cats lose their lives in shelters each year—often due to common yet treatable illnesses that spread quickly through such a closed quarters. In a recent Morris Animal Foundation–funded study, Dr. Kate Hurley, from the University of California–Davis, discovered that something as simple as providing cats with a cage that separates their litter box from their resting and eating area significantly reduces stress. Reduced stress means reduced risk of infectious diseases like upper respiratory illness.
Dr. Hurley’s study is part of Morris Animal Foundation’s Helping Shelters Help Cats program, which funds research projects that address conditions that negatively affect the health of shelter cats. The findings of this study will help guide shelter personnel in creating the optimal environment for cats to maintain their health and become adopted. This study has already received positive feedback around the nation and in Europe. Dr. Hurley recently presented her findings at a major European veterinary conference in Amsterdam. Her talk was well received and led to the first installation of these types of cages in Europe.
To learn more about this study and to see other ways Morris Animal Foundation–funded researchers are working to help shelter cats and give them longer, healthier lives, visit www.Research4Cats.org.
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