A comparative analysis of the cat stress score and the novel psychological quality of life assessment tool for cats in a shelter setting (2026)

Lamon, T. K., Slater, M. R., Daigle, C. et al.

Abstract

Given that there were approximately 4 million cats in shelters across 20 countries in 2024, there is a critical need to have accurate, reliable, non-invasive tools to evaluate shelter cat stress and welfare. This study was conducted to validate the newly developed Psychological Quality of Life (PQOL) assessment tool to evaluate welfare in cats newly admitted to an animal shelter. The PQOL is an 11-question assessment of a cat’s behavior, attitude, and activity. The PQOL was compared to the Cat Stress Score (CSS), a widely used non-invasive assessment tool used to determine stress levels in shelter cats. Fifty cats from a local shelter were assessed with both the PQOL and CSS by two independent observers at two time points on their second, fourth, and sixth day in the shelter. A Spearman rank correlation evaluated the relationship between the overall PQOL and CSS scores and between the overall PQOL and select individual PQOL questions. The inter-rater reliability (IRR) and intra-rater reliability (IaRR) for the overall PQOL, CSS and individual PQOL questions were measured with a quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa. There was a strong, positive correlation (0.73–0.79) between the CSS and overall PQOL for all three assessment days. The kappa for the CSS and overall PQOL had substantial agreement (0.58–0.75) between reviewers for all three assessment days at both time points indicating good reliability. Individual PQOL questions about interest in play, engagement with others, exploration, and showing positive emotions had a strong correlation with high overall PQOL for both time points across all three assessment days. The PQOL question about showing fear or anxiety had a strong correlation with a low overall PQOL score. The overall PQOL score was shown to be a valid and reliable metric to monitor stress and welfare in shelter cats.