Cat Homing Behavior Survey

Answers marked with a * are required.

Instructions

This survey is being conducted by Danielle Robertson of Lost Pet Research and Recovery to study homing behavior in domestic cats — the ability of a cat to travel back to a familiar location after going missing from an unfamiliar one. Participation is voluntary: you may skip any question or stop at any time. Your responses are confidential; no name is collected, and providing your email address is optional and only used if you'd like to receive study updates or a results summary — it will not be published or shared. There are no anticipated risks beyond those of everyday online activity, and no compensation is provided. De-identified results may be published in a scientific journal. By completing and submitting this survey, you confirm that you are 18 or older and consent to participate. Questions may be directed to info@lostpetresearch.com.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your feedback will be used to help improve search and recovery methods for finding lost cats. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

1. Which best describes your cat at the time s/he went missing?

Indoor-only cat (never been outside)

Indoor-only cat (some outside experience such as on-leash or in an enclosure; also includes cats with previous outdoor experience)

Outdoor-access cat (allowed outside unsupervised)

Outdoor-only cat (feral or barn cat)

Other (Please Specify)

2. Under what circumstances did your cat become lost?

Recently moved and s/he went missing from new home

Lost in transit such as from a car or airport

Lost from a location away from home such as the vet's office, friend's house or while camping

Accidentally or intentionally transported out of the area such as climbed into a moving van

Recently adopted and went missing from your home/yard

Other (Please Specify)

3. Where was your cat found?

Returned home

Returned to a previous home

Other (Please Specify)

4. How long was your cat missing?

5. If possible, please provide an address (or intersection or nearby landmark) for the START and END of your cat's homing journey. Please remember to include city, state/province, and country. Your address will remain confidential.

6. How far did your cat travel? Please indicate whether this is straight-line distance, estimated distance actually traveled or distance by road. (You can skip if you answered Question 5)

7. Is it likely that your cat traveled through or over any of the following? Select all that apply.

Urban area (city)

Suburban area

Rural area (country)

Two-lane highway

Four-lane (or more) highway

Stream or river

Other (Please Specify)

8. How old was your cat at the time s/he went missing?

Kitten (up to 6 months)

Young Adult (7 months to 2 years)

Adult (3 years to 10 years)

Senior (11 years to 15 years)

Advanced Senior (more than 15 years)

9. Was your cat spayed or neutered when s/he went missing?

Spayed Female

Unspayed Female

Neutered Male

Unneutered Male


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