Ohio Resident’s Opinions On Free-Roaming Cats

According to Ohio State University, ideas related to cat overpopulation in Ohio differ between rural and urban dwellers and also between cat owners and non-pet owners. In addition, about one quarter of Ohio households feed free-roaming cats, whether or not they are spayed or neutered.

Results from a survey evaluating Ohioans’ attitudes about free-roaming cats suggest that no single statewide measure would be sufficient in managing cat overpopulation because public opinion about outdoor cats varies widely across the state.

According to this research:

• 40% of Ohio cat owners allow their cats to go outdoors.
• 49% of Ohio residents believe laws should prohibit owners from letting their cats roam freely; one third of cat owners agree.
• Almost half of Ohioans believe local governments should be responsible for controlling free roaming cats.
• 60% of respondents support spay-neuter laws for cats.
• 48% support the use of tax dollars to subsidize spay-neuter programs.
• Cat owners are less likely to support mandatory identification for cats; three quarters of Ohioans in general are in support.