Trap-neuter-return Research Articles

Playing the Cards You’re Dealt: Implementing Feline Lifesaving Programs and Practices Despite Restrictive Ordinance Provisions

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs enjoy strong public support in the U.S. These programs have been shown to successfully increase live release rates and decrease euthanasia rates of cats in animal shelters. However, local laws can impede the implementation of TNR programs. In cooperation with St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services, this community case study describes the results of various programs and practices implemented to increase feline lifesaving despite restrictive ordinance provisions, as well as those associated with subsequent ordinance revisions. The St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services provided detailed data for the period of January 2015 through December 2023 (e.g. intake, live outcomes, and euthanasia) and information regarding various programs and practices related to feline lifesaving. The data was then examined for general trends. In addition, St. Tammany Parish’s Ordinance No. 21-4618, which includes both the original provisions and revised provisions, was examined for those likely to affect the shelter’s feline admissions and outcomes. The data suggests that the programs and practices implemented were associated with considerable increases in live outcomes for cats (from 26.4 to 95.4%) and corresponding reductions in euthanasia rates (from 71.1 to 3.0%). The adoption of revised ordinance provisions to reduce barriers for community cat management was associated with relatively little change; however, these provisions were generally positive in nature, removing an apparent requirement to impound at-large cats and facilitating the operation of a community cat program (CCP). This community case study illustrates the potential for animal shelters to substantially improve feline lifesaving regardless of possible legal impediments.

Evaluation of Population Management Based on Trap-Neuter-Return and Trap-Neuter-Adoption Practices in a Free-Roaming Cat Colony in the Federal District, Brazil.

Overpopulation of domestic animals leads to various problems, such as the formation of feline colonies. Population management methods for these colonies have been studied previously; however, no scientific consensus has been reached. This study evaluated the use of trap-neuter-return (TNR) in a free-roaming cat colony in Brazil's Federal District. The study was conducted over 18 months and involved 157 cats that had not previously been managed. The experiment had three parts: recognition and preparation, TNR intervention, and monitoring. The results showed a 47.8% reduction in colony size. Additionally, 98.8% of the animals were sterilized. The adoption, death, disappearance, abandonment, and immigration rates were 19.7%, 14.0%, 14.0%, 7.6%, and 4.5%, respectively. The TNR experiment conducted in the proposed manner, which included detailed pre-planning, mass sterilization, active management, continuous monitoring, and educational actions, proved to be efficient and humane. However, guidelines aimed at managing animal populations, promoting adoption, preventing abandonment, and educating people about responsible pet ownership are essential for achieving sustainable results.

Public Attitudes towards and Management Strategies for Community Cats in Urban China.

Managing community cats in urban China is a contentious and emerging issue, with debates centering on the most effective and humane approaches. This study aimed to investigate public attitudes towards community cats and various management strategies. A survey was conducted involving 5382 urban residents in China. Their attitudes towards the positive and negative roles of community cats in urban areas and their support for different management methods were examined, including trap-and-kill, taking no action, centralized management, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) and its variations. Results indicated that 63% of participants were willing to coexist with community cats, 71% opposed trap-and-kill, and 61% agreed or strongly agreed with the TNR method and its variations. Older residents or those with higher incomes were more likely to support coexistence with community cats. In contrast, younger or lower-income residents were more likely to support non-coexistence. Residents in first- or second-tier cities (e.g., Beijing, Hangzhou, and Jinan Cities in China) were more inclined to support trap-and-kill and less likely to support coexistence than their counterparts in fourth-tier cities (e.g., county-level cities in China). Moreover, those with lower education or incomes were more supportive of trap-and-kill and taking no action as the methods to manage community cats than those with relatively higher education or incomes. Those with higher incomes held more positive attitudes towards community cats and were more supportive of TNR and its variations than their counterparts with lower incomes. Males were more inclined to support trap-and-kill and taking no action and less inclined to support centralized management and TNR than females. The implications of the findings on TNR with adoption programs in urban China are discussed. These novel findings underscore the need for targeted educational campaigns to promote humane and effective management strategies, addressing public concerns and community cats' welfare. The study's insights are critical for informing policy and improving community cat management in urban China.

Realities, perceptions, and strategies for implementation of an ethical population management program for dogs and cats on university campuses.

Stray dogs and cats pose significant challenges for public health and animal welfare due to their potential involvement in zoonotic disease transmission, accidents, and aggressions. Large urban centers exacerbated challenges due to the presence of these animals in public areas with high human density. Ethical Population Management Programs (EPMP), rooted in the One Health approach, are crucial for addressing this issue comprehensively. This study aimed to demonstrate the approach on cats and dogs EPMP and evaluate the perceptions of academic community regarding EPMP implementation on a campus situated in urban territory. The study was conducted at the Pampulha campus of UFMG in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In response to issues of animal abandonment and conflicts, the Permanent Commission for Animal Policies (CPPA-UFMG) was established in 2019 to manage the campus's dog, cat, and wildlife populations. The commission implemented the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method, along with health assessments and vaccinations for animals. Interviews were conducted with campus staff to gauge their perception of animal management strategies. Retrospective and prospective analyses of the commission's actions were carried out to assess implementation processes and challenges. The animal population survey conducted on campus between July 2018 and September 2021 revealed a total of 266 animals recorded. Among these animals, 195 were cats (73.3%) and 71 were dogs (26.7%), with the majority being adults. Subsequent surveys in 2019 and 2021 showed a slight increase in the animal population, with measures such as sterilization contributing to population control. Perception analysis among campus users indicated strategies such as TNR were widely endorsed for population control. The employees perception questionnaire was applied to 115 individuals, representing 42 units/departments and five gates. Associations were found between these beliefs and support for institutional actions. The majority favored sterilization (92.17%) and agreed that TNR is an appropriate approach to population control. Overall, the study reflects a community concerned about animal welfare and supportive of measures to address population management and cruelty prevention. The continuous efforts of the university's CPPA have led to stability in the resident animal population, indicating success in achieving population control objectives.

Using applied social science disciplines to implement creative outdoor cat management solutions and avoid the trap of one-size-fits-all policies.

In the United States, policy conflicts have prevented successful population-level management of outdoor cats for decades. Wildlife conservation professionals have sought widespread use of humane dispatch (i.e., lethal culling applied humanely), whereas cat welfare professionals have promoted trap-neuter-return (TNR) (cats are trapped, neutered, and returned to the outdoors). These conflicts represent a policy panacea trap, which we argue drives many conservation conflicts. In these situations, the focus on defending a one-size-fits-all policy fails to account for the value differences that shape the different understandings of the problem and desired outcomes associated with each policy, as well as complexities in the social-ecological system. Over the past 5years, a group of wildlife conservation and cat welfare professionals codeveloped a set of products that have started to be used to help organizations break out of the policy panacea trap. We used a case study to illustrate how efforts grounded in applied social science disciplines, such as science communication, social-ecological systems, and conservation marketing, can help identify a more robust set of policy options tailored to local management and cultural contexts for successful implementation. Shifting the focus to embrace a shared understanding of the broader system helped us identify areas for collaboration, broaden the policy toolbox, and allow space for policy tools originally framed as opposing panaceas. This work helped prepare all parties to have difficult but productive discussions and address shared policy needs. We suggest that many value-based conservation conflicts would benefit from similar efforts that use applied social science to transform how conflict is addressed, moving beyond policy panaceas that end in stalemate to develop shared understandings of context-specific policies, and to identify opportunities for creative cooperation that yield real conservation progress.

Overpopulation of Animals in India: Analyzing Legislative Shortcomings

The overpopulation of animals in India is a critical issue with far-reaching consequences, impacting animal welfare, public health, and community safety. This legal research paper examines the root causes of this problem and the inadequacies in India's current legislative framework governing animal welfare. It explores how vague language, lax enforcement, and gaps in coverage have contributed to the unchecked growth of stray animal populations, resulting in suffering, public health risks, and safety concerns. Comparative analysis with regions known for effective animal welfare legislation reveals best practices and strategies that can be adapted to the Indian context. The paper proposes a series of legal reforms tailored to the Indian context, including mandatory spaying and neutering, comprehensive registration and microchipping, stricter licensing and breeding regulations, public education and awareness campaigns, strengthened animal cruelty penalties, and the introduction of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for feral animals. Addressing challenges, objections, and ethical considerations, these recommendations aim to strike a balance between personal freedoms and the need for responsible pet ownership. Through case studies and a contextualized approach, this research underscores the importance of addressing legislative shortcomings in India to safeguard animal welfare, protect public health, and ensure community safety. The proposed reforms seek to harmonize India's rich cultural diversity with modern animal welfare standards, ultimately creating a more compassionate and secure environment for both animals and humans in the Indian context.

Attitudes towards urban stray cats and managing their population in India: a pilot study.

Life in contemporary cities is often dangerous for stray cats, with strikingly low survival rates. In several countries, trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs have been employed to control urban stray cat populations. Management of stray cats in urban environments is not just about applying scientific solutions, but also identifying approaches that align with local cultural and ethical values. India has an estimated 9.1 million stray cats. TNR presents as a potential method for stray cat management in India, while also improving their welfare. Yet, to date, there has been no academic exploration on Indian residents' attitudes towards stray cats. We conducted a survey in 13 cities in India reaching 763 residents, examining interactions with stray cats, negative and positive attitudes towards them, attitudes towards managing their population, and awareness of TNR. Results show a high rate of stray cat sightings and interactions. While most respondents believed that stray cats had a right to welfare, the majority held negative attitudes towards and had negative interactions with them. There was widespread lack of awareness about TNR, but, when described, there was a high degree of support. Gathering insights into opinions about stray cats, and the sociodemographic factors that impact these opinions, is an important first step to developing policies and initiatives to manage stray cat populations.

Population Estimates and the Effect of Trap-Neuter Return Program on the Free-Roaming Dog Population in Hong Kong SAR

ABSTRACT Free-roaming dog populations ensue from irresponsible dog ownership and abandonment. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Hong Kong SAR offers practical solutions to control dog population growth by providing a range of different birth control programs. We present the first results of a trial Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program in Hong Kong SAR; with a free-roaming dog population on Cheung Chau Island (southwest). During the 3-year study, the SPCA undertook surveys to assess population size and trapped, desexed, and, where possible, rehomed free-roaming dogs. We report that a total of 182 dogs were encountered during the period. We estimate that an average of 75% of the population was desexed, reaching the threshold for successful TNR studies. The results of our study show that TNR can assist with free-roaming dog population control and provide guidance for future programs, in Asia and Hong Kong SAR.

Assessment of the Accuracy of Visual Weight Estimates of Cats

Visual estimation of cat weight is commonly performed during trap-neuter-return (TNR) events where cats are brought in humane traps of various models with differing weights. These cats are typically asocial and cannot be safely handled before the induction of anesthesia. Weight estimate accuracy is important since it determines the anesthetic induction dose. This study measured the accuracy of the visual weight estimates made by various veterinary professionals involved in the program, including a veterinarian, veterinary students of all years, and several veterinary technicians, and explored whether there were variables that systematically predicted percent deviation of estimate from actual weight. Subjects estimated the weight and noted the posture (standing, sitting, crouching, laying). Cat demographics, including actual weight (kg), body condition score (BCS), coat color, solid or patterned coat, sex and pregnancy status were recorded. Age was not considered due to the correlation with weight. Accuracy was measured as the percent of estimates within 20% (PW20) and 10% (PW10). Linear regression clustered on cat was used to evaluate whether cat posture or demographic variables were associated with the percent deviation between estimated and actual weight. Potential association between the deviation and student experience as measured by student year, previous technician experience, and experience with TNRs was evaluated using linear regression. A total of 315 cats and 647 estimates were evaluated for this study from 5 TNR clinics held at Midwestern University between May 2022 and October 2022. A veterinarian provided 142 visual weight estimates, veterinary students 310, and a veterinary technician 195. The median weight was 2.7 kg (IQR 2.0-3.5). Veterinarians had a PW20/PW10 of 54%/32%, veterinary students 43%/23%, and veterinary technicians 35%/16%. Heavier cats tended to be underestimated, while lighter cats tended to be overestimated. The percent deviation decreased by 15% (95% CI -18 to -12%) per kg from a high of 45% at 1 kg, crossing 0% at approximately 4 kg, then decreasing to -43% at 7 kg. The mean difference, which did not vary by the actual weight, was 0.5 kg (SD 0.8) for cats under 3.5 kg. At weights of 3.5 or greater, the difference decreased by -0.9 kg for each additional kg of actual weight. There were several predictors of percent deviation from actual weight. The weight of female cats tended to be overestimated by 9% (95% CI 1-16%, P = 0.020), females that were pregnant underestimated by 22% (-39 to -5%), and cats with a BCS less than 5 overestimated by 10% (95% CI 2-18%, P = 0.012). There was no significant systematic variation by cat posture, color or coat pattern. Student experience did not significantly impact the deviation in their estimates. As measured by the PW20 and PW10, the veterinarian was the most accurate at visual weight estimates, although only slightly more than half of the cats were estimated within 20%. There were predictors of percent deviation, but those predictors are often only determined after anesthesia is induced. Difference between estimated and actual weights for cats under 3.5 kg was similar, with the larger difference in percent deviation for lighter cats being due to the smaller denominator of the actual weight. Cats over 3.5 kg tended to be underestimated in weight, with both difference and deviation increasing.

Transspecies liminality: unpacking the politics and patchy legitimization of urban human-cat relations

ABSTRACT Urban human-cat relations depend on complex and contingent systems of overlapping policies, ordinances, and laws. Cats defy anthropocentric binaries and boundaries. In response to the problematic use of the term ‘feral’, a term rife with negative associations, many government agencies, including those in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in Florida, have rebranded this population as ‘community’ cats. This investigation explores the transspecies liminality experienced by both free-roaming, or ‘community’, cats and their urban caretakers. While government-run animal shelters boast the successes of trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs and the concomitant increase in ‘live-releases’ from the shelters, the experiences of cats who live in perilous urban spaces, facing vehicular injury, animal cruelty, and even death, subverts these politically-driven narratives. The uneven acceptance and treatment of these cats results in the development of informally organized networks of cat caretakers whose experiences share the challenging, contentious, and often dangerous experiences of the cats for whom they care. Sociolegal constructions and rituals produce the experience of liminality for more than just human or animal individuals. The result is a transspecies liminality of shared experiences, struggles, and relations beyond the targeted population or species, which has implications for how researchers approach the implementation of nonhuman governance policies.

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.

Public Opinions on Stray Cats in China, Evidence from Social Media Data.

The management of stray cats is often contentious because public perceptions about these animals are different. Using user-generated content from Weibo, this study investigated Chinese citizens' opinions on stray cats on a large scale. Through the techniques of natural language processing, we obtained each Weibo post's topics and sentiment propensity. The results showed that: (1) there were some irresponsible feeding behaviors among citizens; (2) public perceptions of the ecological impacts caused by stray cats were unlike; (3) the trap-neuter-return (TNR) method served high support in public discussion; (4) knowledge about stray cats' ecological impacts was positively correlated with support for the lethal control methods in management. Based on these findings, we suggested that management policies should be dedicated to (1) communicating to the (potential) cat feeders about the negative aspects of irresponsible feeding behaviors; (2) raising "ecological awareness" campaigns for the public as well as highlighting the environmental impacts caused by stray cats; (3) understanding citizens' perceptions toward different management scenarios and making decisions accordingly. In addition, this study also suggested that social media data can provide useful information about people's opinions on wild animals and their management. Policies would benefit by taking this source of information into the decision-making process.

Counting the Capital's cats: Estimating drivers of abundance of free-roaming cats with a novel hierarchical model.

Free-roaming cats are a conservation concern in many areas but identifying their impacts and developing mitigation strategies requires a robust understanding of their distribution and density patterns. Urban and residential areas may be especially relevant in this process because free-roaming cats are abundant in these anthropogenic landscapes. Here, we estimate the occupancy and density of free-roaming cats in Washington D.C. and relate these metrics to known landscape and social factors. We conducted an extended camera trap survey of public and private spaces across D.C. and analyzed data collected from 1483 camera deployments from 2018 to 2020. We estimated citywide cat distribution by fitting hierarchical occupancy models and further estimated cat abundance using a novel random thinning spatial capture-recapture model that allows for the use of photos that can and cannot be identified to individual. Within this model, we utilized individual covariates that provided identity exclusions between photos of unidentifiable cats with inconsistent coat patterns, thus increasing the precision of abundance estimates. This combined model also allowed for unbiased estimation of density when animals cannot be identified to individual at the same rate as for free-roaming cats whose identifiability depended on their coat characteristics. Cat occupancy and abundance declined with increasing distance from residential areas, an effect that was more pronounced in wealthier neighborhoods. There was noteworthy absence of cats detected in larger public spaces and forests. Realized densities ranged from 0.02 to 1.75 cats/ha in sampled areas, resulting in a district-wide estimate of ~7296 free-roaming cats. Ninety percent of cat detections lacked collars and nearly 35% of known individuals were ear-tipped, indicative of district Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. These results suggest that we mainly sampled and estimated the unowned cat subpopulation, such that indoor/outdoor housecats were not well represented. The precise estimation of cat population densities is difficult due to the varied behavior of subpopulations within free-roaming cat populations (housecats, stray and feral cats), but our methods provide a first step in establishing citywide baselines to inform data-driven management plans for free-roaming cats in urban environments.

Intensive Adoption as a Management Strategy for Unowned, Urban Cats: A Case Study of 25 Years of Trap-Assess-Resolve (TAR) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Simple SummaryUnowned urban cats may suffer from poor welfare and cause problems, e.g., public health risks, nuisances, and urban wildlife predation. For 25 years, the Lonely Miaow (Inc.) charity in Auckland, New Zealand, has used intensive adoption to rehome unowned cats. By the end of 2019, LM volunteers had trapped 14,611 unowned cats, which were adopted wherever possible (64.2%), euthanized if unsocialised or in grave ill-health (22.2%), or (infrequently) neutered and returned to the site (5.7%). The remaining 7.9% had other outcomes, such as being transferred to other shelters. Adoption rates increased over time, exceeding 80.0% in 2018 and 2019. The cost of processing each cat from capture to adoption rose from NZD 58 in 1999 to NZD 234 in 2017. Approximately 80% of colonies (sites where cats were trapped) were around residential areas. Most cats were young and very few were over 5 years old. Around one in five cats needed veterinary treatment, with respiratory infections and injury common. Adopting cats and removing them from the streets improves their welfare, essentially benefitting the community and the cats. The effectiveness of adoption strategies would be enhanced by fewer abandonments of owned cats and kittens, fitting within integrated strategies for the control of unowned cats involving community education.Globally, unowned urban cats are a major concern because they may suffer from poor welfare and cause problems, including public health risks, nuisances, and urban wildlife predation. While management options are often presented as a choice between culling or trap–neuter–return (TNR), for 25 years, the Lonely Miaow (Inc.) charity in Auckland, New Zealand (hereafter LM), has used a third strategy—intensive adoption or trap–assess–resolve (TAR). As of 2019, of 14,611 unowned cats trapped, 64.2% were adopted, 22.2% were euthanized if unsocialised or in grave ill-health, 5.7% were neutered and returned to the site, and 7.9% had other outcomes, such as being transferred to other shelters. Adoption rates increased over this time, exceeding 80.0% in 2018 and 2019. The cost of processing each cat from capture to adoption rose from NZD 58 in 1999 to NZD 234 by 2017. Approximately 80% of colonies (sites where cats were trapped) were around residential areas. Approximately 22% of cats required veterinary treatment after capture; common ailments included respiratory infections, ringworm, dental problems, and trauma. Consistently, 52% of cats were young kittens (<10 weeks old), c. 80% of cats were <1 year old, and only c. 2% were estimated to be >5 years old. TAR avoids euthanasia where possible. Its effectiveness would be enhanced by fewer abandonments of owned cats and kittens, fitting within integrated strategies for the control of unowned cats involving community education. Cat adoptions improve the welfare of cats and, with appropriate husbandry, should alleviate concerns about nuisances, public health, and attacks on wildlife or the cats themselves, essentially benefitting the community and the cats. This case study is relevant to other cities around the world that are seeking to manage unowned cats.

Ethical population management of feral cats on universities campuses based on Trap-Neuter-Return protocol

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats. Studies show that TNR programs improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time. In this kind of population management, unowned cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be sterilized, vaccinated, ear tipped and then returned to their outdoor home. In the present study TNR program was established on two university's campuses, at Salto and Itu counties, where feral and stray cat population was uncontrolled. From the beginning of the program in August 2020, an ongoing careful audit of campuses’ cats was conducted based on daily observations of cats seen at feeding sites and other campuses' locations, by the staff of the program. At Salto university campus 32 cats were recorded, 13 males and 19 females. At the Itu university campus 25 cats were recorded, 12 males and 13 females. The results of TNR programs are most commonly quantified by the number of cats sterilized. In the present study 75% of the cats’ colony (7 males and 17 females) were sterilized at Salto´s campus. In the other hand, at Itu´s campus, 68% were sterilized (6 males and 11 females). Furthermore, a total of 14 kittens were placed for adoption (6 from Salto and 8 from Itu). Issues and solutions for dealing with unowned free-roaming cats are not simple, inexpensive, or broadly applicable. Trap and remove for euthanasia have been practiced in many localities for many years as part of animal control programs. Nonetheless, no location has ever achieved long-term control of free-roaming cats by use of this method. The provision of affordable services to neuter free-roaming cats raises awareness that cats require and deserve responsible care and enables people to behave ethically when cats take up residence on their property or in their neighborhood.

Ear-tipping practices for identification of cats sterilized in trap-neuter-return programs in the USA.

Ear-tipping practices and the meaning of the ear tip in trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to report the frequency of common ear-tipping practices in the USA, to identify the most effective methods and to establish a foundation for ear-tipping practice standards. An anonymous 24-question survey was advertised from 4 to 20 October 2021 to individuals who participate in TNR programs that routinely perform ear tipping. There were 526 survey responses from individuals who participate in TNR programs, of whom 410 completed the survey. For ear-tip meaning, nearly 100% of respondents indicated that an ear tip meant that a cat had been sterilized. Several respondents answered that it also indicated rabies vaccination or socialization status, with 92 (22%) selecting both, 79 (19%) selecting rabies only and 50 (12%) selecting unsocial only. The majority of respondents tipped the left ear (81%), used a visual estimate to determine the cut (92%) and described the ideal silhouette as straight across (92%). The median percentage of cats where ear tips bled after initial hemostasis was 5% (interquartile range [IQR] 2-10), and the median percentage of negative feedback regarding the ear tip was 1% (IQR 0-5). In terms of weighted rank order, the most common feedback was that too much ear tip was removed (5.5), followed by a cat being ear tipped in error (4.7), persistent bleeding (4.2) and not enough ear tip being removed (4.2). Responses revealed heterogeneity regarding technique for both excision and hemostasis, as well as personnel performing the procedure. There were no significant associations between techniques and bleeding or negative feedback. There is variation in the methods for performing an ear tip, as well as what an ear tip signifies. Standards for this procedure would be helpful.

A renewed call for conservation leadership 10 years further in the feral cat Trap‐Neuter‐Return debate and new opportunities for constructive dialogue

AbstractIt has been 10 years since a seminal paper in the journal Conservation Biology called for stronger leadership from the conservation community in countering the growing inappropriate use of Trap‐Neuter‐Return (TNR) as a method to control feral cat, Felis catus, populations. The practice is rapidly spreading to areas of wildlife and conservation significance, and the need to counter this development is extremely urgent. So far, the promulgation of TNR has been based on a narrow, single‐species approach to animal welfare. However, a new, yet little‐noticed, species‐inclusive perspective on animal welfare includes the consideration of collateral animal suffering for a more equitable assessment of TNR. Each setting, depending on the level of conservation required, may call for different methods for the management of free‐roaming cats. TNR is just one such method and its appropriateness depends on the specific wildlife conservation needs for each area specified.

Guidance for management of free-roaming community cats: a bioeconomic analysis.

ObjectivesThis study used computer simulation modeling to estimate and compare costs of different free-roaming cat (FRC) management options (lethal and non-lethal removal, trap–neuter–return, combinations of these options and no action) and their ability to reduce FRC population abundance in open demographic settings. The findings provide a resource for selecting management approaches that are well matched for specific communities, goals and timelines, and they represent use of best available science to address FRC issues.MethodsMultiple FRC management approaches were simulated at varying intensities using a stochastic individual-based model in the software package Vortex. Itemized costs were obtained from published literature and expert feedback. Metrics generated to evaluate and compare management scenarios included final population size, total cost and a cost efficiency index, which was the ratio between total cost and population size reduction.ResultsSimulations suggested that cost-effective reduction of FRC numbers required sufficient management intensity, regardless of management approach, and greatly improved when cat abandonment was minimized. Removal yielded the fastest initial reduction in cat abundance, but trap–neuter–return was a viable and potentially more cost-effective approach if performed at higher intensities over a sufficient duration. Of five management scenarios that reduced the final population size by approximately 45%, the three scenarios that relied exclusively on removal were considerably more expensive than the two scenarios that relied exclusively or primarily on sterilization.Conclusions and relevanceFRCs present a challenge in many municipalities, and stakeholders representing different perspectives may promote varying and sometimes incompatible population management policies and strategies. Although scientific research is often used to identify FRC impacts, its use to identify viable, cost-effective management solutions has been inadequate. The data provided by simulating different interventions, combined with community-specific goals, priorities and ethics, provide a framework for better-informed FRC policy and management outcomes.

Causes of Death in Stray Cat Colonies of Milan: A Five-Year Report.

Simple SummaryCats have been closely linked to humans for thousands of years. Nowadays, stray cats are frequently hosted in colonies, protected, and enrolled in programs of trap–neuter-–return to control population increase. Italian public veterinary services work in collaboration with voluntary colony caretakers and are responsible for neutering and monitoring the health of colony cats. This retrospective study, conducted by the Anatomical Pathology Unit of the Teaching Veterinary Hospital of Milan in collaboration with the public veterinary services, was undertaken because of the limited information available regarding causes of death of colony cats. The study reports on and statistically analyzes the causes of death of colony cats in the city of Milan as assessed by necropsy. Inflammatory processes including those consistent with the most relevant feline infectious diseases were most common in kittens and young cats. Trauma was more frequent in adult cats, while organ failure was the most common cause of death in aged cats. Considering the possible animal welfare issues deriving from colony cats, awareness of the most common causes of death and collaboration between university veterinary pathologists and public veterinary services represent an essential contribution to health monitoring of colony cats and can assist in the rapid detection of possible emerging animal welfare concerns.The presence of cats in urban environments has a long history. In Italy, stray cats are protected by national and regional laws, and programs of neutering and reintroduction to colonies are ongoing. Colony cats have been widely studied from a behavioral perspective, while surveys regarding their causes of death are limited, although they may provide relevant information related to public health and cat welfare. This retrospective study provides pathological descriptions and statistical analyses of the causes of death of 186 cats from 100 colonies in the city of Milan. Inflammatory processes represent the primary cause of death (37.7%) and include common feline infectious diseases such as feline panleukopenia (67.5%), particularly in kittens, and feline infectious peritonitis (32.5%), most common in adult cats. Trauma was found to be a common cause of death of young/adult cats (14%) with a generally good body condition, while severe parasitosis was less represented (2.6%). The death of old cats was statistically associated with organ failure (24.7%), particularly renal failure, and tumors (11.8%). Knowledge of the most common causes of death of colony cats could make an important contribution to the health monitoring of these cats and sanitary control of their habitats and provide information on possible related emerging animal welfare concerns.

Assessment of Dilute Epinephrine and Mechanical Pressure for Prevention of Feline Postoperative Scrotal Hematoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To determine whether two immediately postoperative preventive procedures, dilute epinephrine (1:400,000) as a scrotal wash or application of controlled mechanical pressure to the scrotum, reduce the risk or severity of scrotal hematoma following routine castration. Male cats with two descended testicles presenting to Midwestern University's Trap Neuter Return program were eligible for inclusion. Cats were assigned via block randomization to control, dilute epinephrine wash, or controlled mechanical pressure groups. For the epinephrine group, 0.2 ml (0.008 mg) of epinephrine diluted with sterile saline was instilled inside the scrotum. In the case of mechanical pressure, a broad-based clip generating less than 0.5 kg of pressure was applied for 10 minutes. Cats were evaluated for scrotal hematoma and the need for treatment by a veterinarian blinded to treatment group. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine if the incidence of scrotal hematoma or scrotal hematoma requiring treatment was different between groups while controlling for other variables. There were 276 cats with a median age of 30 months (IQR 12,48) and a mean weight of 3.5 kg (SD 1.2). Scrotal hematomas were noted in 15 of the 92 (16%) control cats, as compared with 12 of the 92 (13%) epinephrine and nine of the 92 (10%) pressure cats. Treatment was required for 10 (67%) control, six (50%) epinephrine, and three (33%) pressure hematomas. Regression demonstrated a decreased risk of scrotal hematoma requiring treatment for cats in the pressure group (OR = 0.2, P = .044) controlling for weight (OR = 2.2, P = .006) and surgical duration (OR = 1.1, P = .026). Weight was the only significant variable for the presence of scrotal hematoma (OR = 2.2, P < .0001). Controlled mechanical pressure applied immediately after routine castration can help decrease the proportion of scrotal hematomas that require treatment.