Participants get a highlight reel of their cat's activity
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE
Researchers at the University of Guelph (Department of Integrative Biology) are looking for volunteer cats to participate in a 5-week study on outdoor cat behaviour. Using our custom-built state-of-the-art cameras (the Catcam) and a tracking device, we are conducting a study that is assessing what your cat does when it is outside. The camera (~70g) weighs less than a bar of soap and attaches onto a typical break-away cat collar. All owners will also be asked to participate in a simple cat personality questionnaire.
This study aims to learn where cats go, what animals they encounter (e.g. coyotes or other cats), and their daily activities and behaviour (e.g. hunting or road crossing).
We are looking for cats that:
COVID-19 Precautions
To limit contact, we will use contactless delivery, and video calls for communication. When dropping-off and picking up cameras at a designated spot, masks and gloves will be worn. After picking up and before dropping off the equipment in a plastic bag, we will clean all surfaces with an ethanol solution.
Cat owners must be willing to attach the camera and GPS to their cat’s collar for 20 days within a 5-week period prior to putting the cat outside.
All volunteer cat owners will be given a highlight reel of their cat’s behaviour, the results from the personality test, and be entered into a draw for 1 of 3 $50 gift cards from Ren’s Pets.
If you are interested in participating, please click here to be directed to a screening questionnaire to assess your cat’s eligibility for the study.
You can contact Marlee Pyott, MSc student, Norris Lab and Gow Lab, for more information at mpyott@uoguelph.ca
This study aims to learn where cats go, what animals they encounter (e.g. coyotes or other cats), and their daily activities and behaviour (e.g. hunting or road crossing).
We are looking for cats that:
- Have unsupervised outdoor access
- Live within 50 km of the city of Guelph
- Are > 1 year old
- Are comfortable wearing a collar
COVID-19 Precautions
To limit contact, we will use contactless delivery, and video calls for communication. When dropping-off and picking up cameras at a designated spot, masks and gloves will be worn. After picking up and before dropping off the equipment in a plastic bag, we will clean all surfaces with an ethanol solution.
Cat owners must be willing to attach the camera and GPS to their cat’s collar for 20 days within a 5-week period prior to putting the cat outside.
All volunteer cat owners will be given a highlight reel of their cat’s behaviour, the results from the personality test, and be entered into a draw for 1 of 3 $50 gift cards from Ren’s Pets.
If you are interested in participating, please click here to be directed to a screening questionnaire to assess your cat’s eligibility for the study.
You can contact Marlee Pyott, MSc student, Norris Lab and Gow Lab, for more information at mpyott@uoguelph.ca
This project has been reviewed by the Animal Care Committee of the University of Guelph for compliance with research involving animal participants (AUP #4189) and by the Research Ethics Board of the University of Guelph for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants (REB # 19-06-005).
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