The suitability of rehoming cats from shelters hinges on their sociality towards humans. Often the Cats socialisation history is unknown and whilst there is a structured and validated assessment, it can take a lot of time. This study looked at piloting a quicker assessment alternative and explored automated assessment via monitoring in cage behaviour. Two 30 second assays were presented for 5 days to 16 newly sheltered cats, noting if the cat’s behaviour reached the criteria (initiating or touch or rubbing). A cat was deemed to be more socialised if it reached the criterion (i.e. rubbing and initialising physical contact) in any of the two assays anytime during the testing period of five consecutive working days. Otherwise, the individual was deemed less socialised and unsuitable for being rehomed (this was the decision in this paper and is not a suggestion)
Out of the 16 cats recruited for our study, six reached the criterion in at least one of the assays, while the rest did not. Five individuals reached the criterion by the third day of the experiment, but one individual reached the criterion only on the fifth day. Initiating touching or rubbing have been shown to exclusively occur in more socialised cats. Although some limitations and further work needed this study shows that socialisation of cats could be assess through much quicker criterion-based assessment. This information could then be used to identify less social cats who may require more training or behavioural input prior to rehoming, or who maybe looking at a different type of home.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/abs/pii/S0168159123001399