Table 1.
Summary of management characteristics of the five colonies studied
| Colony ID | Characteristics | Breed type | Classificationa | Number of cats (minimum–maximum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Breeding | Devon Rex | Semi-open | 21–30 |
| Showing | DSHb | |||
| Pet | ||||
| B | Breeding | Oriental | Semi-open | 11–13 |
| Showing | Siamese | |||
| C | Breeding | BSHc | Semi-closed | 6–19 |
| Showing | ||||
| D | Pet | DSH | Open | 29–34 |
| DLHd | ||||
| E | Breeding | BSH | Semi-open | 18–39 |
| Showing | DSH | |||
| Pet | ||||
a
The classification of each colony is based on cat movement and colony management procedures. Open: all cats having external access and unrestricted contact with all other cats within the colony; semi-open: some cats having external access and contact with some other cats within the colony; semi-closed: all cats within the colony having no external access and limited contact with some of the other cats within the colony.
b
DSH: domestic short haired.
c
BSH: British short haired.
d
DLH: domestic long haired.