Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat’s lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats.Graphical Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and vector-borne agents of dogs and cats in the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota were determined. Fecal samples (84 dogs, 9 cats) were examined by centrifugal floatation and by immunofluorescence assay (FA) for Giardia and Cryptosporidium. PCR was performed on Giardia [beta-giardin (bg), triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), glutamate dehydrogenase genes (gdh)] and Cryptosporidium [heat shock protein-70 gene (hsp)] FA positive samples. Cat sera (n = 32) were tested for antibodies against Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and FIV, and antigens of FeLV and Dirofilaria immitis. Dog sera (n = 82) were tested for antibodies against T. gondii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum and D. immitis antigen. Blood samples (92 dogs, 39 cats) were assessed by PCR for amplification of DNA of Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., haemoplasmas, and Babesia spp. (dogs only). The most significant results were Giardia spp. (32% by FA), Taenia spp. (17.8%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (7.1%). The Giardia isolates typed as the dog-specific assemblages C or D and four Cryptosporidium isolates typed as C. canis. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 15% of the dogs. Antibodies against Bartonella spp. and against T. gondii were detected in 37.5% and 6% of the cats respectively. FeLV antigen was detected in 10% of the cats.

Background Cystoisospora felis is a common parasite of cats and is diagnosed by fecal flotation, but false‐negative results can be common. Hypothesis/Objectives To experimentally inoculate cats with C. felis oocysts, to compare fecal flotation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, and to describe any clinical signs consistent with infection. Animals Six cats. Methods Cystoisospora felis oocysts were identified morphologically from feces of a naturally infected kitten with diarrhea, sporulated oocysts (5000) were inoculated to 6 cats that were negative for fecal parasites by fecal flotation and by a fluorescent antibody assay (FA) for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Cats were observed daily for the presence of clinical signs consistent with infection. Fecal samples were evaluated by fecal flotation and FA up to 3 times per week post inoculation (PI) to Day 27. Thirty‐six samples collected before inoculation and from Days 8, 10, 13, 15, and 20 PI were assayed using an internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) PCR that amplifies DNA of C. felis. Results All cats were negative for C. felis by both assays before inoculation. All cats shed C. felis oocysts by Day 10 PI, oocysts were not detected by fecal flotation after Day 15 PI. Cystoisospora felis DNA was amplified from 24/36 (66.6%) fecal samples from 6/6 (100%) of the cats. Oocysts were not detected by fecal flotation in 4 of the samples that were positive for C. felis DNA by PCR. Clinical signs were not recognized in any of the study cats. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Fecal flotation is a convenient assay for detection of C. felis but could occasionally give false‐negative results when compared to this ITS1 PCR.

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