Cats are the most popular companion animal in New Zealand, with 41% of households sharing their home with at least one cat.1 The love and connection we have with these animals are reflected in the comparatively low number of cats used in research, testing and teaching and how they are used.
Many studies involving cats aim to improve their health and comfort in our homes, like surveying their humans to find risk factors for cats becoming overweight.2 However, some cats are still harmed for science; for example, wild cats are used in harmful ways for research aimed at trying to protect native wildlife.
Note: Cats living in the wild are often referred to as feral cats, but we will refer to these animals as wild cats.
Cats have been used in research, testing and teaching in various ways - from non-harmful to cruel and invasive methods. Most cats used for research, testing and teaching purposes are used for basic biological and veterinary research. They are also used in teaching, environmental management and more.
Cats in NZ have been used for:
- Testing pet food formulations.
- Veterinary research, including testing medications for feline diseases, studying disease symptoms and ways of diagnosis (like FIV, tooth decay, and cancer) and researching cat behaviour and health.
- Environmental management, including testing toxic bait and traps, studying wild cat behaviour, optimising management methods (like killing trapped cats) and training staff to handle wild cats.
- Teaching veterinary and vet nurse students basic concepts like animal handling and basic clinical/husbandry skills.
Places that use cats for science in NZ include private companies, universities, and polytechnics.
Cats used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding units, the wild (captured) and other public sources.*
*According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, public sources include: Public donations, animals obtained from a pound, a pet shop or other public sources. This includes companion animals who are used for the duration of the exercise (e.g. veterinary nurse training).
Discover real-life examples of how cats have been used in NZ below!
Testing a predictive marker for cancer survival in cats
Veterinary samples of cats with this form of cancer were analysed and compared with their remaining survival since diagnosis.
Trialling a lighter rifle to kill trapped wild cats
Captured wild cats were shot in the head using an air rifle and were assessed to confirm death by recording the time to loss of heartbeat.
Monitoring wild cats for a year
Wild cats are trapped and fitted with GPS collars. After one year, they are recaptured and killed.
Testing nutritional value of new pet food
Cats and dogs were fed a test diet exclusively for several months. Some adults are kept in metabolic chambers for 10 days, and blood samples are taken at the end.
Testing a possum poison for other animals’ safety
Dogs, chickens and wild-caught cats were fed dead possum. Once they got used to eating this, they were fed possums killed with sodium nitrite, and signs for poisoning were monitored.
Testing new toxin at Ngatapa Station
Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.
Scoring the body condition of colony cats
The body condition score of 101 cats was determined, adding to routinely collected body weight data from the breeding colony.
Tracking and killing wild cats
Wild-caught cats were used to train sedation and collar fitting before being killed. Another group of cats was fitted with GPS collars for one year before being tracked down and shot.
Collecting blood plasma for tests
Colony cats are switched from wet food to dry food for two days. Blood samples are taken before and after.
Measuring vitamins in blood samples
Blood samples were taken from colony cats of different ages.
Sampling cats’ saliva for feline autoimmune disease
Buccal swabs (inside the cheek) were collected from all cats in three British Shorthair breeding catteries.
Training staff in wild cat handling
Wild cats are trapped and used to train staff in handling, sedation and collar fitting before they are killed.
Surveying caregivers on their cats’ personality
Cat caregivers in Australia and New Zealand filled in an online survey about their cats’ personality traits.
Testing new toxin at Toronui Station
Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.
Testing a breathing mask on cats and dogs
Cats and dogs were held down tightly and fitted with face masks. Their breathing was measured for a while.
Testing pain medication with lasers
Colony cats were put into small chambers, and a laser was pointed at a shaved skin patch. The influence of medication on their reaction time was measured.
