Is allowing free adoptions from cat shelters bad for cat welfare?

Methods

Summary

The project will use a telephone survey to collect information from people who adopted cats during a 'Free Weekend' at a Perth, Western Australia cat shelter. This information will be compared to that collected from paying adopters at other times. The key questions are listed here.

How many cats did you adopt over the ‘Free Weekend’? (or how many cats have you adopted from (shelter name)?)

Have there been any behavioural or health problems since you adopted? If yes, what?

Have you adopted from the (Shelter name) before? If so, when?

How did you hear about the ‘Free Weekend’? (or how did you hear about (shelter name)?)

Was the provided ‘Adoption Information Pack’ of any use to you, or your family? (e.g. when to vaccinate) Why?

Do you have other pets?

If yes, how many: cat, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, bird, fish, reptile, other.

Does your cat wear a collar with ID? Why or why not?

Have you registered your cat with your local council? Why or why not?

Does your cat have access to the outdoors: all the time, only during the day, only during the night, only when you can supervise, other (please describe).