Do as I say, not as I do – The paradoxical relationship between actual cat keeping practices and knowledge about wildcat conservation among Hungarian cat owners

The European wildcat population of Hungary is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and additionally, by hybridization with domestic cats. Responsible cat ownership would be of paramount importance for the prevention of unwanted hybridization between the two species. In a questionnaire survey, Hungarian cat owners and non-owners were asked about their knowledge regarding responsible cat ownership and their actual cat keeping practices. Additionally, we also surveyed whether they realized the various anthropogenic dangers (including domestic cats) that threaten the wildcat population. Based on the answers of 1322 respondents, we discovered several warning signs that indicate worrisome tendencies. Cat owners consider cats as the least serious concern for wildcat conservation, and even knowledgeable participants with wildlife-related education continue irresponsible cat ownership practices. While many participants consider safe and responsible cat keeping as important, and actively engage in the prevention of unwanted predatory and roaming activities of their cats, a considerable cohort of Hungarian cat owners consider their animals to be expendable property and refrain from implementing any measure of responsible cat keeping. This is the first study where the same respondents were surveyed for their cat keeping habits and their knowledge about some aspects of wildcat conservation. Although Hungarian cat owners show considerable knowledge about responsible cat keeping, in reality, there is still room for improvement. The lessons learned in Hungary, where the wildcat population is still considered viable, could bear high relevance for any country where wildcat conservation against the effects of privately owned domestic cats represents a problem.