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Faunalytics
November 2016
Shelter workers and advocates are likely already aware of the positive impact that various forms of enrichment can have on shelter cats’ mental and physical health. They may be less aware of the potential benefits of group housing, particularly for shelter cats in the U.S. As the authors of this paper describe, shelters in the U.S. commonly use “duplex housing systems, which consist of rows of cases stacked on top of each other” that can lead to elevated stress levels. Therefore, these shelters should consider adopting the model followed by Swedish shelters that provides a home-like environment with multiple kinds of enrichment, including indoor and outdoor communal areas.
For more, please visit Swedish Cat Shelters: A National Review.
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