Table 2.
Summary statistics for owner-reported characteristics of cat management that have the potential to impact the welfare of cats during outdoor access for cats with (n = 1,633) and without (n = 4,896) uncontrolled outdoor access.
| Cat characteristics | Uncontrolled outdoor access | No uncontrolled outdoor access | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declaw status | Yes | 110 (6.7%) | 612 (12.5%) |
| No | 1,523 (93.3%) | 4,282 (87.5%) | |
| Microchip status | Yes | 676 (41.5%) | 2,632 (53.8%) |
| No | 910 (55.8%) | 2,129 (43.5%) | |
| Unsure | 44 (2.7%) | 135 (2.8%) | |
| Collar | Yes | 445 (27.3%) | 581 (11.9%) |
| No | 1,167 (71.7%) | 484 (9.9%) | |
| Indoor only | 16 (1.0%) | 3,811 (73.2%) | |
| Collar with bell | Yes | 261 (16.0%) | 418 (8.6%) |
| No | 654 (40.2%) | 531 (10.9%) | |
| Indoor only | 13 (0.8%) | 3,103 (63.5%) | |
| No collar | 701 (43.0%) | 837 (17.1%) | |
| License | Yes | 353 (21.8%) | 1,258 (25.7%) |
| No | 1,124 (68.9%) | 3,111 (63.6%) | |
| Unsure | 151 (9.3%) | 521 (10.7%) | |
| Neuter status | Yes | 1,598 (97.2%) | 4,758 (97.9%) |
| No | 31 (2.7%) | 133 (1.9%) | |
| Unsure | 4 (0.1%) | 3 (0.2%) |
Cats with uncontrolled outdoor access were allowed opportunities to freeroam while unsupervised. Cats with no uncontrolled outdoor access included both indoor-only cats, and cats that were allowed outdoors in a controlled manner (e.g., under direct supervision, kept in an enclosed area, or on a harness or leash).