Cats, care givers and alleys: how care practices toward cats contribute to multispecies place-making in Montreal (Canada)

Keywords: More-than-human city, interspecies care, humanimal relations, multispecies place making
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 18

Abstract

Alleyways that crisscross Montreal’s territory are inhabited by a multitude of species. This distinctive urban landscape is the scene of regular multispecies encounters. Among them, cats and humans meet on a daily basis, leading some human to engage in care practices towards cats (e.g. feeding, sheltering, sterilizing, monitoring their health and well-being, providing veterinary care). These networks of care involving many human and non-human actors are deployed at various scales.

Just like interspecies care, place making is a relational and multi-scalar phenomenon. Although urban place making has long been considered an exclusively human process, animal studies scholars have shown that a multitude of species contribute to it. We suggest that interspecies care practices participate in the multispecies place making of Montreal’s alleys.

Based on results from two exploratory qualitative research projects currently underway*, our presentation focusses on how cats and humans use and share space in the alleys of Montreal. Use of space is apprehended through material traces, direct observation of care practices, and the narratives of human care givers. Results are drawn from 70 hours of participant observation in situ and 30 semi-directed interviews. Our presentation aims to contribute in the broader conversation around human-animal share of space and the more-than-human city.

*Sarah-Maude Cossette project is founded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC, 17 500$CA) and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FRQSC, 17 500$CA). Gabrielle Perras St-Jean project is founded by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (150 000$CA).