Kris Hill

About me

I was awarded an MA in Anthrozoology from Exeter University in 2018, which I completed while working fulltime in an unrelated field. In 2019 I embarked upon my PhD research, focusing on human-cat relations within urban communities. I am building the foundations of a new career – either as an academic, an educator, or a researcher within a non-profit organisation, dedicated to improving the lives of both human and non-human animals.

Follow me on Twitter: @Humananimalx

Check out my blog: https://katzenlife.wordpress.com/

About my doctoral research

Cats have been living alongside humans for several millennia, and today the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) roams neighbourhoods worldwide. However, times are changing. There are environmental concerns regarding the impact of cats, particularly feral populations, on wildlife. While some residents enjoy feline visitors, others consider them unwelcome nuisances. Busy roads pose a significant danger, and the relatively recent, and somewhat controversial phenomenon of the ‘indoor-only cat’ is in part a response to the various outdoor threats. Through discourse analysis of media reports, social media commentary and exchanges, survey responses, interviews, and behavioural observations, my research explores the dynamics of contemporary cat-human relations. With a better understanding of how cat-human relations and attitudes are influenced by facts, experiences, and sensationalist reporting, future efforts can be better focused towards education and ethical solutions that benefit cats, humans, and wildlife.