2020 Welfare of Shelter Cats
Download - Full Position Statement on Welfare of Shelter Cats
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) advocates for the wellbeing/welfare of shelter-housed cats based on the following Five Freedoms:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from pain, illness, and disease
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from fear and distress
- Freedom to perform species-specific behaviors
The AAFP recommends these educational resources for veterinary professionals, team members, and clients/caregivers:
- AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines
- Shelter housing for cats: 1. Principles of design for health, welfare, and rehoming
- Shelter housing for cats: 2. Practical aspects of design and construction, and adaptation of existing accommodation
- Association of Shelter Veterinarians
- Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (pages 19-20 – Vaccinations)
- AAHA and AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines (including Table 3 on page 819 for shelter-housed cats and the 2013 supplemental disease information fact sheets)
- The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ 2016 Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs
- UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
- Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
This position statement has been updated from: 2009 Welfare of Shelter Cats