Internal and External Protective Factors Associated with the Secondary Traumatic Stress Component of Compassion Fatigue in Feral Cat Caregivers
This study of 172 feral cat caregivers in Portugal reveals that while institutional support and colony registration do not significantly reduce secondary traumatic stress, factors such as caring for large colonies and unemployment increase risk, whereas older age, family support, and serenity serve as protective buffers, highlighting the need for interventions that address both financial burdens and internal coping mechanisms within a One Health framework.