The Cat Compass
Support UGent research on cat behaviour and welfare! Your donation helps improve the daily lives of thousands of cats: at home, in shelters and on the streets. With your support, we can further develop this research line, for the benefit of cats.
Within the research group Ethology and Animal Welfare, there has been sustained attention to feline research over the years, from pet cats to colony cats and stray populations. In 2025, this work was brought together under the research line Cat Compass. Through this initiative, we aim to study both fundamental and applied ethological knowledge, as well as welfare challenges affecting cats in a wide range of contexts (home environments, urban settings, laboratory environments, etc.). Our goal is to translate this research into practical applications that improve the welfare of different groups of cats.
Funding for research into cat behaviour and welfare remains limited, as this topic is still not sufficiently prioritised. Nevertheless, our research group firmly believes that human–cat coexistence can be further improved — for pet cats, shelter cats and free-roaming cats alike. We therefore invite individuals, organisations and companies to support us in this mission. Together, we can generate knowledge and develop better solutions.
Support the Cat Compass research?
Your donation not only advances research, but also improves the daily lives of thousands of cats: at home, in shelters and on the streets. With your support, we can continue to build and expand this research line.
- A donation of €100 helps fund materials for behavioural observations and measurements (e.g. cameras, observation tools, sampling equipment), contributing to data collection and a better understanding of cats.
- A donation of €1,000 can help initiate a pilot study to generate new insights (e.g. into social interactions between cats, the welfare of cats in apartments, or recognising and preventing stress between cats).
- Larger donations enable us to fund full research projects, conduct large-scale studies, and further develop Cat Compass into a leading European research centre.
If you would like to support a specific research project or propose an idea, please contact the head of the research group.
Donations to Cat Compass can be made to account number BE26 3900 9658 0329, stating “Cat Compass” or “DI_1374”.
Donations are tax-deductible from €40 per year.
More information about the research?
Social Purrspectives – Research on interactions between pet cats. - Morgane Van Belle
The Social Purrspectives PhD project examines how cats behave socially in the home, how relationships between cats can be identified, and whether certain cats are better “matches” than others. The aim is to enable early detection of social tension between cats, helping to prevent stress and related issues (such as spraying).
POPCAT I: Managing stray cat populations. - Dr Ciska De Ruyver
Over a period of 15 months, research was conducted into different management scenarios and their impact on stray cats in Flanders. The aim was to provide cities and municipalities with a tool to map out different management options for their area. To this end, a theoretical cost–benefit model (Høgasen et al., 2017) was adapted to the Flemish context.
The project was a collaboration between the research group Ethology and Animal Welfare (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium – Prof. Christel Moons and Ciska De Ruyver), Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Belgium – Els Peeters), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (Italy – Paolo Dalla Villa), and the University of Antwerp (Belgium – Prof. Herwig Leirs and Lucinda Kirkpatrick). The project was funded by the Environment Department of the Flemish Government.
POPCAT II: Developing a municipal guide for (stray) cat policy. - Dr Ciska De Ruyver
Many cities and municipalities face uncertainty about the best approach to managing (stray) cats. This project provided support by identifying and compiling best practices — from both field experience and scientific literature — into a practical guide for local authorities. The guide supports collaboration with volunteers and was presented, together with the POPCAT simulator and the guide “Animal-friendly municipal stray cat policy”, during regional study sessions.
Scientific advice for the King Baudouin Foundation project: Sterilisation of cats as a societal challenge. - Dr Ciska De Ruyver and Prof. Christel Moons
At the request of the King Baudouin Foundation, a desk study was carried out to map several aspects of the cat landscape in Belgium: population figures, sterilisation policies across regions, the latest insights into animal welfare and responsible ownership, and an overview of stakeholders in the feline value chain. The result was a scientifically grounded report and set of recommendations for the Foundation’s fund.
Effects of early neutering on cat health and welfare. - Nathalie Porters and Prof. Christel Moons
As part of research into the effects of early neutering in kittens (supervised by Prof. H. de Rooster, Prof. I. Polis and Prof. C. Moons), veterinarian Nathalie Porters studied the impact of early neutering on behavioural development in both male and female cats. Follow-up studies on the same population were conducted to assess long-term effects.
Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis research
In addition to the projects above, numerous Master’s theses have explored aspects of cat behaviour and welfare. For example, veterinarian Jasmine Kestelijn studied changes in cat populations and health over nearly a year. Collaborative research has also been conducted with other universities and colleges, including projects by students in animal care and cultural studies. Currently, we are collaborating with VIVES University of Applied Sciences on research into cats’ preferences for different types of litter trays and feeding bowls, and with Odisee University of Applied Sciences on the impact of scents on cats (publications in preparation). Further disciplinary and interdisciplinary student projects are planned for the future.
What else can I do?
- Include this research in your will
- Organise a fundraiser or event in support of the research
- Set up your own fund to support this research
Contact us
Questions about the Cat Compass or the research?
Prof. Christel Moons
christel.moons@ugent.be
M +32 472 992 867
T +32 9 264 78 09
Questions about making a donation?
Ghent University Fund
Wim Van der Planken
universiteitsfonds@ugent.be
+32 9 264 33 84