Outdoor cat volunteers needed for camera collar study at University of Guelph

Researchers in the department of Integrated Biology at the University of Guelph are looking for volunteers to take part in a new studyon outdoor cat behaviour.

Cat owners in the areas of Guelph and Waterloo region can sign up to take part in the five-week study.

Elizabeth Gow, an adjunct professorat the University of Guelph,said the cats will be equipped with a collar that has a small camera and tracking device attached to it, which will help researchers see what cats are doing and where they are going.

"You can think of it like as if we were to put a GoPro on your chest and we would see everything you do in your daily activity and that's kind of what we're doing with these cats," she said.

"We're seeing everything they do, so are they hunting animals? What type of animals are they hunting? Are they crossing roads? Are they going up into people's car engines?"

Gow said the camera which they call theCatcam is about the size and weight of an extra large egg. If it falls off, the embedded tracker will help her team find the lost collar.

The research team islooking for volunteer pet owners with catsthat:

• Are over ayear old.
• Are comfortable wearing a collar.
• Have unsupervised outdoor access.
• Live within 50 kilometers of the City of Guelph.

Owners will be tasked with making sure the Catcam is on and recording before they let their cats out.

Research tohelp conservation efforts and educate owners

Gow said their findings could help withconservation efforts in the future.

"In Canada alone, we're concerned with their impact on bird and small mammal population. In Canada [outdoor cats] kill anywhere from 150 to 350 million birds a year," she said.

She adds they hope the findings could also help cat owners better understand some of the risk their cat face when they are outdoors.

"Whether it's helping owners decide when they should put their cats outside if they choose to orhow they may beable to create enriching environments in their house that can provide some of the same benefits as putting your cat outside in terms of engagement and exercise."