Animal Welfare Organizations Research Articles

"He strove that such innocent creatures should come to no harm": Thomas Hardy and the RSPCA

abstract: The year 2024 marks the bicentenary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the world's first registered animal welfare organization, established in 1824. This analysis explores Thomas Hardy's response to animal rights discourses during his life, with special emphasis on the common pursuits of the RSPCA as a champion of animal rights and of Hardy as an evolutionary meliorist who cared about animals. As evidenced by Hardy's literary and non-literary, public and personal writings, his vision of a humanitarian future was inseparable from the question of animal rights, including the plights of working / performing animals, and cruelty to animals in slaughterhouses, battlefields, laboratories and animal sports. Although Hardy was disappointed in his aims to save animals and to alter people's consciousness on the issue, animal rights movements have come a long way through decades of struggle, as reflected in the achievements of the RSPCA and other animal welfare movements. Hardy's attitude toward animals also anticipates subsequent developments in animal studies, including post-humanist approaches.

Investigating the Reasons behind Companion Animal Relinquishment: A Systematic Content Analysis of Shelter Records for Cats and Dogs, 2018-2023.

The relinquishment of companion animals to shelters presents significant challenges for animal welfare organizations and has substantial implications for the well-being of both the animals and their owners. This study aims to investigate the reasons for voluntarily relinquishing animals to shelters, to examine species-specific differences (cats and dogs), to compare initial relinquishments to returns (re-relinquishments or readmissions), and to identify potential changes over a 6-year period framing the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis of owner relinquishment records from an open admission shelter in the US was conducted using content analysis, a novel approach in this area of research. A total of 13 relinquishment reason categories were identified, as well as 9 separate categories for specific behavioral issues. Among 2836 randomly selected records, the most frequent reasons cited were Behavior Issues (28%), Housing/Moving (18%), Unable to Care (16%), Too Many Pets (10%), Financial (6%), and Owner Allergies (5%). The most common behavioral reasons reported were Aggression (32% of behavioral surrenders), Social Conflict (28%), and Soiling (13%). However, differences were observed in the pattern of relinquishment reasons based on statistical analyses of species, type of relinquishment, and year. Regarding temporal trends, Housing/Moving and Financial reasons were not found to have changed significantly since the pandemic, but the relative frequency of the category Unable to Care increased significantly in 2022 and 2023. Collectively, these findings partially replicate those from research spanning the past several decades in this area that has employed less systematic methodology and can further be used to help identify and understand the primary drivers of owner relinquishments.

Assessing the Veterinary Health Care Needs of Knoxville’s Latino Community Through a Community-Based Participatory Approach: A Short Report

The primary objective of the study was to better understand the interests, needs, and perceived barriers to veterinary care of Knoxville’s Latino community. Investigators adapted a national survey designed to understand access to veterinary care for distribution to the Latino population through a community-based participatory approach with an established community center. Seventy-six percent of survey respondents (n = 46) reported that they consider the pet as part of the family. Forty-eight percent said their pets were not spayed or neutered (s/n), and of these, 39% said s/n was cost-prohibitive, whereas 22% did not know where to receive services. Twenty-six percent identified an inability to obtain treatment for a sick pet, primarily due to a lack of access to affordable care. Participants expressed interest in vaccines and parasite prevention (64%), training and behavior (36%), and information on veterinary and pet care resources (29%). The survey tool (provided in English and Spanish) and community engagement approach can assist animal welfare organizations in identifying and addressing community veterinary needs and barriers to care.

Whiteness and the Animal Question: Revisiting Coetzee's Postapartheid South Africa

Abstract: Scholars such as Evan Mwangi argue that postcolonial animal studies is all too often considered through white environmentalist perspectives, a point exemplified by the critical focus on white perspectives provided by writers such as J. M. Coetzee, Barbara Gowdy, and Lauren Beukes. Such focus bestows the authority to care for African natures to (white) Western visions of worldmaking. Mwangi's criticism suggests the white environmental discourses that have informed prominent readings of Disgrace (1999). The uncritical discourse of animal welfare in the post-colony has ties to apartheid governance and its rhetorical legacy. Through a comparative reading of Coetzee's Disgrace , the rhetoric of euthanasia used by animal welfare organizations, and contemporary reporting on the state of the animal, I outline a historical centering of white environmentalism—in particular welfarism—in institutional South African discourses about the animal. In opposition to assertions that the animal becomes a vehicle of redemption for the main character, David Lurie, and other redemptive readings of white characters in the novel such as Bev Shaw, I suggest that Disgrace reveals the legacies of white nationalist imaginaries that continue to undergird state and institutional environmental discourses in South Africa. The purportedly humane ideologies of animal population control and welfare perpetuate white interests. Disgrace reveals the tension between institutional expressions of care and the forceful integration of postcolonial nations into global markets, which sustain colonial legacies of white worldmaking.

Attitudes and arrangements: owner predictions of growing older with an assistance dog

Assistance dog ownership is beneficial for older adults, but also involves unique age-related challenges, particularly changes in independent living status. How younger assistance dog owners see their future playing out with their assistance dog, particularly on relocating to an aged care facility, has received little focus. Most younger assistance dog owners have considered their future with their assistance dog, and while retirement of the dog may become necessary, most intend to retain them into older age. Understanding the future needs of assistance dog owners creates the opportunity to influence key future planning and supports, policies, procedures, and infrastructure through dog owners, aged care facilities, assistance dog organisations, animal welfare organisations and government bodies.

Assessing the Current Landscape of Reptile Pet Ownership in Hong Kong: A Foundation for Improved Animal Welfare and Future Research Directions.

We investigated the evolving landscape of reptile pet ownership in Hong Kong. Employing a quantitative approach, a self-administered survey was distributed and over 200 reptile pet owners residing in Hong Kong responded. The survey instrument captured demographic data on pet ownership history, species preferences, husbandry practices, and veterinary care utilization. The findings revealed a strong interest in pet reptiles, with lizards being particularly popular (67%) among new owners. Turtles remain common (35%), likely due to cultural factors and perceived ease of care. However, a gap was noted between the awareness and the implementation of proper husbandry practices, with 51% of respondents expressing concerns about enrichment and 21% uncertain about appropriate enclosure size. Veterinary care utilization also showed a disconnect, with 50% of the respondents reporting no regular check-ups were performed, despite acknowledging its importance. Reptile behavior served as a well-being indicator. Over 90% of the respondents observed normal behaviors like locomotion and breathing. Interestingly, a positive correlation emerged between reptile behavior scores and duration of ownership (r = 0.200, p < 0.01), suggesting improved well-being for reptiles that were in long-term care. These findings emphasize the need for educational initiatives promoting responsible pet ownership practices and fostering collaboration between reptile owners, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations. By addressing these knowledge gaps and promoting a collaborative approach, our results aim to contribute to enhanced reptile welfare in the context of Hong Kong's evolving pet ownership trends.

Owned-Dog Demographics, Ownership Dynamics, and Attitudes across Three States of India.

This paper presents the demographics, dynamics, and attitudes of dog ownership across three states in India. The background of this research is set against the increasing significance of pet ownership in urban Indian contexts, with a particular focus on understanding the variations in dog-ownership patterns and their implications for public health and animal welfare. We employed a survey-based approach, gathering quantitative survey data from dog owners (n = 563) and non-dog-owners (n = 9282) across different socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds in seven Indian settlements. The results reveal notable differences in dog-ownership patterns, influenced by regional state. In particular, settlements in Gujarat were found to have significantly fewer dog-owning households than those in Tamil Nadu, with no differences found according to settlement size. Dog ownership was found to be more common in households of higher socioeconomic standing, and settlements in Uttarakhand were found more frequently to possess dogs for reasons other than companionship. Data from Ahmedabad and Vadodara, specifically, also indicate rapidly increasing rates of pet ownership. Sterilisation and rabies vaccination proportions were typically low and high, respectively, across all settlements, with few significant differences found among settlements. Confinement of owned dogs at night was significantly lower in Nainital than all other settlements. Differences in attitudes towards roaming dogs between dog owners and non-dog-owners were also examined, with the results indicating both positive and negative trends accordingly. Our results emphasise the need for region-specific strategies in public health and animal welfare policies, acknowledging the diverse nature of pet ownership in India. This research provides valuable insight for policymakers and animal welfare organisations, underlining the importance of tailored approaches to address the unique challenges and opportunities in the Indian context.

UK Dog Owners' Pre-Acquisition Information- and Advice-Seeking: A Mixed Methods Study.

Dogs are the most common pet animal species in the UK. Little is known about information and advice gathering within the process of dog acquisition, nor what pre-acquisition research encompasses. This study aimed to better understand the preparatory research undertaken by prospective dog owners in the UK. A 2019 online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data about dog acquisition. Analyses within this study focused on a subset of these current (n = 4381) and potential (n = 2350) owners who had undertaken research, or who reported planning to do so, before acquiring a dog. Additional qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with current (n = 24) and potential (n = 8) dog owners. Among those current owners who had sought information or advice, websites were the most common source of information (76%), followed by family and friends (70%), and online forums (51%). Similar patterns were seen among potential owners. Qualitative data revealed that information was commonly sought on the following: general information about dogs; information about breeds or types of dogs; owner requirements and dog suitability; aspects of dog ownership; and how to source a dog. The majority of prospective owners stated that they had found all the information they wanted (96% of current owners and 90% of potential owners) but some respondents found conflicting advice from different sources and did not know which sources to trust. Our study shows that, for some prospective owners, research into various aspects of dog acquisition and ownership is important. Knowing where to look for correct and unbiased advice, particularly online, is particularly important. Understanding the pre-acquisition research that owners undertake, including the sources they use, information they are interested in finding, and the challenges they face, is of interest to animal welfare and veterinary organisations and those involved in rehoming and selling dogs. This information may help inform interventions aimed at improving the knowledge and decisions made by potential dog owners.

An analysis of the welfare of fast-growing and slower-growing strains of broiler chicken

Due to concerns about the welfare of fast-growing (FG) strains of broiler chicken, animal welfare organisations have advocated the use of certain slower-growing (SG) strains that meet key welfare targets under test conditions. However, a widespread transition to SG strains could negatively affect sustainability because these birds tend to have higher feed conversion ratios and longer production cycles. It is important therefore to review the extent and limits of SG welfare improvements under test conditions and on commercial farms, to support the best policy decisions. Following a systematic literature search, 63 source papers were identified. Most reported comparative welfare outcomes for at least one SG strain with at least one FG counterpart, whilst a minority examined the suitability of various SG strains for niche production. The literature review considered different types of study design and accounted for confounding factors such rearing environment and diet. Additionally, a quantitative analysis of effect size for mortality, gait score and contact dermatitis was conducted across studies that had compared birds under similar rearing conditions and that had used SG strains with an average daily growth rate of at least 40g/day. Modern, commercial SG strains performed better on most relevant welfare traits than FG strains. This was the case even when the ‘fairest’ comparisons were made at equivalent bodyweights (when SG birds were older), under matched-environmental conditions, experimentally or on farm. The quantitative analysis found that FG strains had a higher estimated incidence rate ratio for mortality (risk of death over a given period of time) of between 1.69 and 2.16, contact dermatitis affecting 15-25% more birds, and a mean gait score 0.65 points higher than SG strains. FG strains were also less active but other differences in behaviour were inconsistent with some behaviours (e.g. dustbathing) often absent altogether. Growth rate was generally, but not always, predictive of welfare problems. Alternative strategies, such as the slaughter of birds prior to the onset of any welfare decline, could be evaluated in future in terms of welfare improvement and efficiency of production.

Paw some Connection: Pet Adoption and Donation

"Paw some Connection" is a comprehensive project aimed at promoting pet adoption and facilitating donations for animal welfare organizations. The initiative seeks to address the growing issue of abandoned and stray animals by creating a user-friendly platform that connects potential pet parents with rescue animals in need of loving homes. This project integrates an intuitive adoption portal, where users can browse profiles of pets available for adoption, learn about their stories, and connect with shelters or foster families. Additionally, a streamlined donation system is incorporated to support the financial needs of these organizations, ensuring proper care, medical attention, and rehabilitation for rescued animals. The platform leverages modern technology and social media integration to amplify its reach, encouraging a wider audience to engage in the noble cause of providing safe and caring environments for animals. By fostering a sense of community and compassion, "Paw some Connection" aims to make a positive impact on the lives of both pets and humans, creating lasting connections that benefit all involved parties. Keywords: Comprehensive project, Promoting pet adoption, Facilitating donations, User-friendly platform.

Current Research, Industrialization Status, and Future Perspective of Cultured Meat.

Expectations for the industrialization of cultured meat are growing due to the increasing support from various sectors, such as the food industry, animal welfare organizations, and consumers, particularly vegetarians, but the progress of industrialization is slower than initially reported. This review analyzes the main issues concerning the industrialization of cultured meat, examines research and media reports on the development of cultured meat to date, and presents the current technology, industrialization level, and prospects for cultured meat. Currently, over 30 countries have companies industrializing cultured meat, and around 200 companies that are developing or industrializing cultured meat have been surveyed globally. By country, the United States has over 50 companies, accounting for more than 20% of the total. Acquiring animal cells, developing cell lines, improving cell proliferation, improving the efficiency of cell differentiation and muscle production, or developing cell culture media, including serum-free media, are the major research themes related to the development of cultured meat. In contrast, the development of devices, such as bioreactors, which are crucial in enabling large-scale production, is relatively understudied, and few of the many companies invested in the development of cultured meat have presented products for sale other than prototypes. In addition, because most information on key technologies is not publicly available, it is not possible to determine the level of technology in the companies, and it is surmised that the technology of cultured meat-related startups is not high. Therefore, further research and development are needed to promote the full-scale industrialization of cultured meat.

DO MUNICIPALITIES HAVE THE POWER TO REGULATE THE KEEPING OF “DANGEROUS” DOGS?

Dog attacks and resultant deaths are frequent occurrences in South Africa. Pit bulls are responsible in many of these cases and there are calls for them to be banned. Dogs, however, are the property of their owners, and forcing people to give them up will amount to a deprivation of property and an infringement of a dog owner’s right to property, which is protected by section 25 of the Constitution. Dogfighting is rife in South Africa and the conduct of dog owners contributes to dogs being aggressive and leads to dog attacks. In terms of the Constitution, animal control is a functional area of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence; on a strict interpretation, this means that municipalities do not have the power to legislate on the function. However, everyone is guaranteed the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources. As such, the municipality (as part of the State) must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the right. Municipalities also have a duty to promote a safe and healthy environment, and the power to make by-laws on matters they may administer. They may also exercise powers that are reasonable and incidental to the effective performance of municipal functions, which is supported by the principle of subsidiarity, the fulfilment of the duties arising from section 12 of the Constitution, and the objective to promote a safe and healthy environment. A municipality that has the necessary resources can legislate and enforce by-laws on matters listed in Schedule 4A and 5A of the Constitution, provided that such action seeks to further the objectives of Chapter 2 of the Constitution and is not in conflict with measures adopted by the national and provincial spheres. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) is responsible for animal welfare, but the responsibilities of animal welfare organisations are becoming greater as urbanisation in South Africa accelerates and animals in many disadvantaged communities are in dire need of basic animal care. The suite of local government law is geared towards the social and economic upliftment of communities, and there is legislative justification for interventions by municipalities to address matters such as the control of public nuisances, dog licensing, the operation of pounds, and the conduct of community members that can alleviate the pressure on those organisations tasked with animal care. There are a number of legislative instruments that apply to animals. A consolidation of the provisions of the various pieces of legislation into a single by-law aimed at regulating the keeping and treatment of dogs, may result in increased law enforcement and (it is hoped) increased sentences as a result of amplified enforcement, as well as improved deterrence.

Perception versus Policy: Which Is More Important to Animal Welfare Volunteer Satisfaction?

There is a large body of work spanning decades examining the factors that lead to volunteer satisfaction. Much of this work has employed self-administered surveys to gather volunteers' opinions or perceptions of factors important for satisfaction which inherently lie within the individual volunteer. Yet scholars have raised concerns about the validity of studies based on perceptions. This research builds on past work by the author by pairing a survey of animal welfare volunteers with one conducted with the executive directors of the shelters they volunteer with, addressing concerns about the validity of self-administered surveys. It concludes that perceptions appear to conform well to actual policies as described by shelter directors but that volunteer perceptions are most important for satisfaction. Volunteers whose perceptions of shelter policies differ from shelter director reports of policies are more likely to be dissatisfied with their experiences. The findings are critical to animal sheltering because they point to the importance of volunteer perceptions of shelter policies for satisfaction. To retain volunteers, animal welfare organizations need to be concerned about actual policies but also about volunteer perceptions of them.

Perancangan Gedung Creative Center di Sentul Bogor dengan Pendekatan Arsitektur Dekonstruksi

Indonesia is one of the countries that downloads the most animal violence content and has more than 100 cases per year. In 2015, the animal welfare organization Natha Satwa Nusantara recorded 103 cases of violence against animals and this will continue to increase every year. Natha Satwa Nusantara as an animal welfare organization has built a shelter for abandoned animals and animals that need help. The shelter was built in Parung, Bogor with a capacity of 100 dogs and 200 cats, however, various problems have occurred in the surrounding environment. The 5 welfare principles put forward by the AVMA have been agreed upon and approved by all animal welfare organizations in the world. The point of freedom from fear and suffering has become a public issue that is highly highlighted by the eyes of the world. An animal shelter is a place or container or protection for abandoned animals. By providing protection for animals, it is hoped that this shelter can minimize fear and suffering. According to analysis and research, a suitable architectural concept is the concept of tropical industrial architecture.

Shelter Hewan Natha Nusantara di Jakarta Timur

Indonesia is one of the countries that downloads the most animal violence content and has more than 100 cases per year. In 2015, the animal welfare organization Natha Satwa Nusantara recorded 103 cases of violence against animals and this will continue to increase every year. Natha Satwa Nusantara as an animal welfare organization has built a shelter for abandoned animals and animals that need help. The shelter was built in Parung, Bogor with a capacity of 100 dogs and 200 cats, however, various problems have occurred in the surrounding environment. The 5 welfare principles put forward by the AVMA have been agreed upon and approved by all animal welfare organizations in the world. The point of freedom from fear and suffering has become a public issue that is highly highlighted by the eyes of the world. An animal shelter is a place or container or protection for abandoned animals. By providing protection for animals, it is hoped that this shelter can minimize fear and suffering. According to analysis and research, a suitable architectural concept is the concept of tropical industrial architecture.

A passive ‘One Health’ surveillance system to track canine rabies in urban India

Abstract Robust and widely implementable ‘One Health’ surveillance systems are required to detect and control the spread of zoonotic infectious diseases. Using technological tools coupled with a rapid field response and rapid diagnostics can help in the surveillance of deadly diseases such as rabies, even in densely populated urban areas. Here, we describe the use of an animal rescue system (Hawk Data Pro) that was adapted as a passive surveillance tool for rabies in a large metropolis in India. We used a Webline and helpline that reported injured or sick animals to an animal rescue facility to determine possible rabies cases in street animals in Pune city in western India. Suspected rabid animals were tested using lateral flow assays and this information was used to direct awareness materials on rabies as well as in conducting mass dog vaccinations in areas that reported multiple cases. Over a ~4-year period, we received over 90,700 calls or reports, of which 1162 calls were for suspected rabies cases in dogs, and 6 for other animals (cats, goats and cattle). Of these, 749 dogs and 4 other animals tested positive for rabies. Most of the cases were reported from the densely human-populated central Pune region. In response, ~21,000 people were provided with educational materials on post-bite management, and ~23,000 dogs were vaccinated. We show that the adoption of the Hawk Data Pro system as a passive surveillance tool allowed us to document an ongoing outbreak of rabies in a large metropolis in India. Such systems can be modified or adapted to other areas as well to meet the surveillance and reporting requirements of the WHO’s Zeroby30 strategy to eliminate rabies globally. One Health impact statement India is a priority country for the action plan for rabies elimination by 2030. Yet, systematic surveillance for rabies in the primary reservoir remains weak. Here, we showcase a collaboration with an animal welfare organization and adaptation of their bespoke animal rescue system for passive surveillance of rabies in dogs and other animals in Pune city in western India. This method allowed us to improve the detection of potentially rabid animals, rapidly ensure post-exposure prophylaxis and provide awareness materials for exposed human victims. To the best of our knowledge, this collaboration between scientists and civil society organizations resulted in the detection of the largest number of rabies cases reported in an urban area anywhere in the world. The use of this system highlights the scope of the problem in urban India and also provides practical guidance on how to improve surveillance using basic technological tools.

Understanding the Durable Myth of the “Irresponsible Pet Owner”

Ethnographic research in an animal welfare organization challenges common, and harmful, framings of what causes guardians to surrender companion animals.

Investigating the relationship between inbreeding and life expectancy in dogs: mongrels live longer than pure breeds.

This study aimed to investigate the establishment of relationship between inbreeding and life expectancy in dogs. A dataset of N=30,563 dogs sourced from the VetCompass™ Program, UK was made available by the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, containing information about breed and longevity and was subject to survival analysis. A Cox regression proportional hazards model was used to differentiate survivability in three groups of dogs (mongrel, cross-bred and pure breed). The model was found highly significant (p<0.001) and we found that mongrel dog had the highest life expectancy, followed by cross-bred dogs with only one purebred ancestor and purebred dogs had the lowest life expectancy. A second Cox regression was also found highly significant (p<0.001) differentiating the lifespan of different dog breed and correlating positively the hazard ratio and the Genetic Illness Severity Index for Dogs (GISID). The results show that survivability is higher in mongrel dogs followed by cross-bred with one of the ancestor only as a pure breed, and pure breed dog have the highest morbidity level. Higher morbidity is associated with higher GISID scores, and therefore, higher inbreeding coefficients. These findings have important implications for dog breeders, owners, and animal welfare organizations seeking to promote healthier, longer-lived dogs.

Stray and Owner-Relinquished Cats in Australia-Estimation of Numbers Entering Municipal Pounds, Shelters and Rescue Groups and Their Outcomes.

Access to comprehensive municipal pound, animal welfare shelters, and rescue group data for admissions and outcomes for stray and owner-relinquished cats in Australia is currently lacking. This hinders effective assessment of existing management strategies for domestic cats by animal management agencies. Our study aimed to estimate the numbers of cat admissions and intakes to Australian municipal council pounds, animal welfare organizations (excluding smaller animal welfare organizations thought to have annual cat intakes of less than 500), and animal rescue groups and their respective outcomes for 2018-2019 (pre-COVID). Unavailable municipal council data were imputed based on known data and council human populations. Only Victoria and New South Wales had publicly available municipal data, and only RSPCA had publicly available data in all states. We estimated a total of 179,615 (7.2/1000 human residents) admissions to pounds, shelters, and rescue groups in 2018-2019, with an estimated 5% reclaimed, 65% rehomed, and 28% euthanized. Reclaim rates were low across all the agencies. Councils operating their own pound had nearly double the euthanasia rate (estimated at 46%) compared to animal welfare organizations (25%). Rescue groups rehomed an estimated 35% of the total number of cats rehomed by all agencies. The upper quartiles of councils with intakes of >50 cats in Victoria and New South Wales had estimated euthanasia rates from 73% to 98%, and 67% to 100%, respectively. We recommend that comprehensive municipal pound, shelter, and rescue statistics be routinely calculated using standardized methods and made available publicly in a timely fashion. This would inform management strategies to optimize live outcomes and therefore reduce the negative mental health impacts on staff tasked with euthanizing healthy and treatable cats and kittens.

The Role of Veterinarians in Managing Community Cats: A Contextualized, Comprehensive Approach for Biodiversity, Public Health, and Animal Welfare.

Homeless cats are a major problem in Europe, with hundreds of thousands abandoned every year. While many die, others can adapt to a lifestyle of roaming freely and establish community cat populations that tend to cluster together in groups. These groups of cats are typically found in urban areas that offer food and shelter to the cats. Animal welfare organizations often care for these cats, providing them with food, shelter, and medical attention. Despite this, conflicts can arise due to the presence of free-roaming cats, with some individuals advocating for drastic measures such as trapping and killing the cats to reduce their populations. However, it is essential to note that such methods are frequently illegal, inhumane, and ultimately ineffective in most situations. A thorough assessment of the impact of cats on a particular natural area requires a comprehensive cat census, a detailed study of the species being preyed upon, and an investigation into the prevalence of zoonotic or epizootic diseases. Moreover, veterinary experts assert that the public health risks associated with cats are often overstated. This article aims to provide a nuanced perspective on the impact of cats on biodiversity in natural areas, while also discussing their role in transmitting the main zoonotic diseases identified in European countries in recent years, with a particular focus on Spain. Effective cat control programs should focus on non-lethal methods such as trap-neuter-return (TNR) and adoption. TNR has proven to be the most effective and humane method of controlling the free-roaming cat population, but its effectiveness is influenced by several factors, including adoption programs and public education on responsible pet ownership. According to Spanish veterinarians, sustainable and science-based solutions such as TNR programs are the best way to achieve population control of free-roaming cats. The veterinary profession should raise awareness regarding sterilization, vaccination, and identification of cats and the consequences of abandonment. They oppose lethal control and removal of cats from the environment, which are ineffective and unethical methods. To promote animal welfare, veterinary professionals must collaborate with public administrations to implement long-term, sustainable solutions to the problem of cat overpopulation. Greater social awareness regarding the importance of sterilization and identification to prevent abandonment and reduce the number of free-roaming cats is also needed. Despite the challenges presented by homeless cat populations in Spain and the rest of Europe, there are many reasons for optimism. Animal welfare organizations and veterinary professionals are actively collaborating to develop humane and effective solutions to manage community cats, including programs such as TNR and adoption. Furthermore, these initiatives are gaining momentum and support from emerging laws and regulations, such as the recent Spanish animal welfare law. Through these efforts, we can reduce the number of free-roaming cats and improve their quality of life.