Statement

Percent of Veterinarian Responses

Percent of General Population Respondents

P-Value

n = 183

n = 1172

I am female

69%

55%

0.000

Annual pre-tax household income

n = 172

n = 1172

$0 - $25,000

1%

21%

0.000

$26,000 - $50,000

6%

25%

0.000

$51,000 - $75,000

11%

19%

0.000

$76,000 - $100,000

17%

13%

0.000

$101,000 and higher

65%

22%

0.000

Do you own a pet

n = 176

n = 1172

No

6%

34%

0.000

Yes

94%

66%

0.000

The number of animals you currently have in your household

n = 166

n = 773

No dogs

12%

29%

0.000

No Cats

15%

40%

0.000

No Horses

45%

96%

0.000

No Fish

45%

86%

0.000

No Birds

57%

89%

0.000

No Reptiles

58%

95%

0.000

No Small Mammals

51%

91%

0.000

It is acceptable to relinquish a cat for:

n = 184

n = 1172

Behavioral reason

69%

27%

0.000

Convenience

3%

13%

0.000

It is never acceptable to relinquish a cat

16%

37%

0.000

Health reasons

55%

14%

0.009

Other

27%

14%

0.000

Reasons why respondents chose a cat as a pet (cat owners only)

n = 108

n = 465

I like their physical appearance

70%

60%

0.048

I am allergic to other types of pets

1%

8%

0.007

I feel they are easier to care for

71%

65%

0.215

I don’t have the space for other larger pets

11%

14%

0.441

I feel they are a relatively less expensive pet

10%

27%

0.000