Research overview: owner attitudes to cat hunting and management

Reducing cat predation depends on owner willingness to change behaviour, so social research has examined how owners view their cats' hunting and proposed interventions. This overview surveys studies of attitudes, finding that many owners are reluctant to acknowledge or limit their cats' hunting, may see roaming as essential to feline welfare, and resist confinement, while being more open to measures framed as benefiting the cat. It examines how beliefs about cats' nature, responsibility for wildlife, and trust in evidence shape acceptance of collars, containment and diet changes. The survey discusses implications for conservation communication and policy, emphasizing that effective management of cat impacts requires understanding and working with owner values rather than relying solely on technical solutions or mandates.