Unowned Cats Research Articles

Outcomes of a Community Cat Program Based on Sterilization of Owned, Semi-Owned and Unowned Cats in a Small Rural Town

Free-roaming cats in urban and peri-urban areas and in rural towns pose significant challenges due to their nuisance behaviors, threats to wildlife, and potential disease transmission. Traditional management methods often involve trapping and euthanizing many of these cats, which is not only costly but also distressing for the shelter staff involved, and have failed to reduce numbers of impounded cats or cat-related complaints. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Community Cat Program that provided free sterilization, microchipping, and preventative veterinary care for all owned, semi-owned, and unowned cats in a small rural town with high cat impoundments in Ipswich, Queensland. The program was instigated by the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Queensland and the Animal Welfare League, Queensland, and it was funded by various organizations including Fondation Brigitte Bardot. Data from 2017 to 2023 were analyzed to assess the impact of the program on cat intake and outcomes in local shelters. A total of 308 cats were sterilized, representing 94 cats per 1000 residents over 3.4 years, and in the third year, this was associated with a 60% decrease in cat intake, an 85% reduction in numbers euthanized and 39% fewer cat-related calls to the local council. These findings suggest that high-intensity, targeted sterilization programs significantly decrease shelter intake and euthanasia, and thus alleviate the psychological burden on staff. These programs are a humane and effective alternative to traditional cat management, and benefit animal welfare as well as community wellbeing. This is aligned with a One Welfare approach, which enhances the well-being of animals, humans, and their environments. Legislative changes are required to support these programs to effectively decrease the numbers of free-roaming cats in cities and towns and the issues they cause, while protecting human wellbeing.

A Situational Analysis of Attitudes toward Stray Cats and Preferences and Priorities for Their Management.

Current cat management approaches are outdated and ineffective, failing to reduce stray cat numbers or related complaints and negatively impacting the job satisfaction and mental health of veterinary, shelter, and municipal staff. We undertook a situational analysis prior to implementing a Community Cat Program based on free sterilization of owned, semi-owned, and unowned cats in the city of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The study involved 343 residents in three suburbs in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia with high per capita intake of cats into the receiving shelter and municipal pound. We investigated the prevalence and impacts of free-roaming cats in urban areas, focusing on sightings, associated issues, and community preferences for cat management. Stray cats were observed by many respondents (71%), primarily at private residences (52%) and in alleyways or streets (22%), which caused serious or moderately serious problems for 38% of those who saw stray or wandering cats. Key concerns included the killing of native birds (38%) and animals (35%), noise (33%), and soiling (32%). Actions taken by respondents who saw stray or wandering cats included chasing them away or using deterrents (25%), capturing the cat for removal or calling council (18%) and preventing home entry (14%). Respondents' priorities for the local government management of cats included preventing kittens from being born (94% of respondents) and stopping cats from preying on native animals (91%); reducing disease spread to pets (89%), wildlife (89%), and humans (87%); decreasing stray cat numbers (75%); and preventing cat fights (70%). Respondents favored sterilization (65%) over euthanasia (35%), aligning with the results of previous research. Cat ownership and feeding unowned cats were predictors of management preferences. Only 29% of respondents were satisfied with the current local council management of the problem. Information on the benefits of management by sterilization could further enhance community support.

When You Cannot Put That Cat Back Where It Came From – The Call for a ‘Working Cat Program’ Implementation

Introduction: Operation Catnip’s (OC) Working Cat Program (WCP) was created to contribute to life-saving efforts for poorly socialized unowned cats that cannot return to their original location and in turn relocation needs to be implemented. The goal of this study was to evaluate the OC’s WCP, a cat management program, conducted in Florida from January 1, 2019, to December 1, 2023. Methods: Data from cats enrolled in the OC’s WCP were retrieved from electronic records and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Cat adopters were surveyed to assess satisfaction with their adoptions and to evaluate the broader outcomes of the program. Results: A total of 968 cats were enrolled in 5 years of the program. In total, 99% (n = 959) of the cats had a live release rate (959), where 90% (862) were ‘hired’ (adopted into non-traditional homes), 9.9% (95) were transferred to rescue groups (to be adopted into traditional homes), and 2 were returned to their original location (return to field). 85% of the adopters who responded to a post-adoption survey (329/387) were very or completely satisfied with their adopted cat’s performance, and only 10% (40/387) were not or were somewhat satisfied with their adopted cat’s performance. Conclusion: Implementing cat management programs like OC’s WCP is a viable and successful way to provide positive live outcomes to cats unsuitable for traditional adoption, as an alternative to euthanasia.

The role of human behaviour change in companion animal management: A case study of Praia de Faro, Portugal

Abstract Humane dog and cat population management has relied on Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) projects in an attempt to control or reduce free-roaming populations and improve the welfare of dogs and cats. It has been recognised that the root cause of dog and cat population and welfare issues is people and their attitudes and behaviours towards dogs and cats – whether this is through lack of responsible ownership leading to loss or abandonment, or programs that focus on single tools such as sterilisation. Failing to recognise the interdependency that exists between individual and community responsibility means that projects that rely solely on the actions of an individual or a small group, and do not involve the wider community, risk limiting their impact and sustainability. Typically, sterilisation projects regularly fail to address this issue. The concept of human behaviour change is beginning to be used in dog population management programs but is still largely unused and untested in cat population management programs. In 2013, a 4-year project in Praia de Faro, Portugal, started to explore how communities respond to a local program using community engagement tools to measure and evaluate changes in attitudes and behaviours towards owned and un-owned dogs and cats. The research question is: ‘does community involvement and participation in a project increase its chances of success in relation to improved welfare for animals?’ Results suggest improved dog and cat welfare, positive changes in attitudes and behaviours of the community, and increased community involvement.

Potential Factors Influencing Complete Functional Recovery in Traumatized Unowned Cats with Orthopedic Lesions-A Cohort Study.

The management of unowned cats is an emerging problem, with public institutions and citizens' concerns regarding their care and arrangement. Little is known regarding the outcome of traumatic orthopedic injuries in these patients. Indeed, complete functional recovery (CFR) should be the goal of treatment for return to their original location or adoption. The aim was to identify clinical factors influencing CFR in traumatized unowned cats with orthopedic lesions. This category of cats referred by the veterinary public service over three years was enrolled. Various clinical variables were retrospectively collected from the medical records and evaluated by nominal logistic analysis. Forty-eight unowned cats were enrolled, with a median estimated age of 24 (1-180) months and a body weight of 3 (0.7-5) kg. Thirty-four (71%) patients reached CFR. Estimated age, body weight, time from trauma to therapeutic intervention, spine involvement, presence of comorbidities, hospitalization time, and the radiographic score results were significantly associated with CFR. A longer time to therapeutic intervention seemed to be associated with a better outcome. Probably, cats severely traumatized did not live long enough to be evaluated and treated. Lighter cats experienced more severe consequences following blunt trauma. Younger and lighter cats bore a higher risk of panleukopenia-related death.

Accuracy of three diagnostic tests to detect tooth resorption in unowned unsocialised cats in Denmark.

To estimate the relative diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of oral clinical examination, full-mouth dental radiography, and cone-beam CT for the detection of tooth resorption in cats, and to estimate the prevalence of tooth resorption in unowned, unsocialised cats in Denmark. Cadavers of 144 adult cats underwent an oral examination, full-mouth dental radiography, and cone-beam CT. Sensitivity and specificity of the three tests, along with the true prevalence, overall and stratified by sex and tooth location, were estimated using latent class methods. We found cone-beam CT to be the superior image modality, with a sensitivity of 99.5% and a specificity of 99.8%. Dental radiography had a sensitivity of 78.9% and a specificity of 100%, and oral clinical examination had a sensitivity of only 36.0% and specificity of 99.9%. We estimated the prevalence of tooth resorption among unowned unsocialised cats in Denmark to be 40% of adult individuals, and 6.1% of teeth. When dealing with tooth resorption, cone-beam CT can help the operator to find and treat affected teeth that could otherwise go undiagnosed. The prevalence of tooth resorption among unowned, unsocialised cats in Denmark does not appear to differ from other populations of cats.

Prevalence of pathogens important to human and companion animal health in an urban unowned cat population

Context The deleterious impacts of cat predation on wildlife have been well documented. Additionally, unowned cats may act as reservoirs of disease important to public and companion animal health and their proclivity for roaming and fighting enables effective disease transmission. Urban environments support the highest human populations and companion animal densities, increasing the potential for disease transmission from unowned cats to people and pets. However, there is little data on the prevalence of pathogens in unowned cat populations. Aims This aim of this research was to establish baseline prevalence data for priority pathogens in an urban population of unowned cats. Methods One hundred unowned cat cadavers were collected from the Brisbane City Council region, Queensland, Australia. Blood and additional organ or tissue samples were collected post-mortem. Diagnostic methods for pathogen detection included use of real-time polymerase-chain reaction, commercially available rapid enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay, lavage and faecal flotation. Key results Pathogen carriage was found in 79% (95% CI 71, 87%) of sampled cats. In total, 62% (95% CI 52, 72%) of cats showed evidence of co-carriage of two or more pathogenic organisms. The overall prevalence found for pathogens and parasites investigated were: Toxoplasma gondii, 7% (95% CI 2, 12%); Coxiella burnetii, 0.0% (95% CI 0, 0%); feline immunodeficiency virus, 12% (95% CI 6, 18%); feline leukaemia virus, 0.0% (95% CI 0, 0%); and gastrointestinal parasites, 76.8% (95% CI 68, 85%). Conclusions This study reports contemporary prevalence data for these pathogens that have not previously been available for unowned cats of south-east Queensland. High rates of gastrointestinal parasitism observed throughout the study population prompt concerns of a general increase in pathogenic prevalence, especially in comparison with that of owned domestic cats, as per previously published literature. The presence of signs of fighting is an important risk factor for increased likelihood of infection. Implications Data produced from this study contribute to informing cat management efforts throughout urban regions. Continued and expanded investigations, considering prevalence and risk factors of pathogens important to human and companion animal health, are recommended for the south-east Queensland area and beyond.

Free-roaming domestic cats in Natura 2000 sites of central Spain: Home range, distance travelled and management implications

Domestic cats (Felis catus) freely roaming in natural areas are considered as one of the major threats for biodiversity worldwide, especially in areas of high conservation value such as the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. Aiming to identify conservation problems and provide practical solutions derived from cats’ presence, in this study we addressed the occurrence and behaviour of free-roaming cats in seven sites belonging to the Natura 2000 network in central Spain, using transects, camera-trapping and telemetry. Cats occurred in all sites, overlapping with potential prey species and wild felids, including red-listed species. We trapped and tracked five possibly unowned adult cats (three females and two males) in four sites within farmland and wetlands habitats. Home range varied among cats (MCP 95%, 0.005–1.51 km2), and the same applied for the distance travelled (0.23–5.1 km), with higher values for those occurring in wetlands compared to farmland. In general, cats travelled longer distances during the evening compared to other time periods. In farmland, tracked cats tended to remain in close proximity to farm buildings, where anthropogenic sources of food were available, while in wetlands cats combined inhabited places with natural areas, hence behavioural patterns could be explained by a combination of food resources and hunting behaviour. Strategies to prevent or reduce the impact of free-roaming cats in natural areas should include regular monitoring during the evening and night and selective trapping during the same periods, targeting the spots where anthropogenic sources of food are available but also considering other areas where cats may hunt. In these areas, campaigns to promote responsible ownership and intensive adoption should be also considered. Owing to the large terrestrial area protected by the Natura 2000 network in Spain (138,000 km2), and the owned cat population (around 6 million), it is likely that free-roaming cats will be a prevalent conservation problem in areas with similar habitats.

The animal welfare, environmental impact, pest control functions, and disease effects of free‐ranging cats can be generalized and all are grounds for humanely reducing their numbers

AbstractAlthough the domestic cat Felis catus is implicated in multiple faunal extinctions and threatens many extant species, there is widespread, well‐funded advocacy for desexing unowned cats near human habitation and returning them to site to be fed by volunteers, arguing that this prevents euthanasia, is unlikely to be hazardous to wildlife or a public health risk, and controls non‐native rodents. To the contrary, we present unequivocal evidence that this approach harms cat welfare, does threaten wildlife and public health, and exacerbates rather than controls rodent problems. We argue instead that unowned cats near human habitation can be controlled effectively by intensive adoption and responsible euthanasia when necessary, supported by licensing and containment of adopted/owned cats.

Onset of reproductive capacity in unowned free-roaming cats

Purpose was to investigate if an underlying biological cause exists for the reproductive success in unowned free-roaming (UFR) cats. These cats were presented for surgical sterilization during late summer/early fall. After castration of UFR toms, presence of penile spines was recorded, slides were made from vas deferens secretions for sperm morphology analyses, and testes were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured. After ovariohysterectomy of UFR queens, total ovarian-uterine weights were recorded. Ovaries were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned, stained, and follicles were counted. Presence of penile spines did not differ (p = 0.07) between toms 2 - 6 (n = 13) and > 6 months (n = 16). Percentage of normal sperm morphology did not differ (p = 0.39) between toms 2 - 6 (n = 11; 77 ± 11%) and > 6 months (n = 9; 81 ± 13%). Seminiferous tubular diameter increased (p < 0.01) in toms 2 - 2.5 (n = 6; 88.1 ± 10.9 µm), 3 - 4 (n = 6; 109.8 ± 8.9 µm), 5 - 6 (n = 6; 142.2 ± 16.9 µm), and > 6 months (n = 6; 237.9 ± 52.5 µm). There was no association (R2 = 0.20; p = 0.07) between age and total ovarian-uterine weight of queens. Number of primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles recorded did not differ (p = 0.08) between queens 2 - 4 (n = 13) and 5 - 6 (n = 4) months. The largest follicle diameter did not differ (p = 0.14) between queens 2 - 4 (581.6 ± 53.7 µm) and 5 - 6 months (469.4 ± 113.9 µm). Results may explain why UFR cat populations continue to increase despite investments in extensive trap-neuter-return efforts. Selective pressure responses to shortened lifespans may contribute to onset of earlier reproductive capacity in UFR cats.

Outcomes for Kittens Born to Free-Roaming Unowned Cats

Outcomes for Kittens Born to Free-Roaming Unowned Cats

Characteristics of cat semi-owners.

Unowned 'stray' domestic cats threaten wildlife, as well as create a community nuisance and contribute to high rates of euthanasia in animal shelters. These cats can experience poor welfare, contribute to the pet cat population and compromise attempts to control feral cats. However, many unowned domestic cats are cared for by semi-owners who do not consider they own these cats; therefore, semi-owners are a potentially important target population for human behaviour change interventions. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of cat semi-owners and compare these with the general population of cat owners and non-cat owners to inform future cat management interventions. An online questionnaire open to all residents of New South Wales, Australia was developed and advertised. Respondents were asked 'do you care for other free-roaming or stray cats (not including the cats you own)?', whether they owned cats, about characteristics of their home and their agreement with 15 capability, social opportunity and motivation (COM) items relating to cat containment. Questionnaire responses were received from 8708 people, including 588 semi-owners (7%). Semi-owners were significantly more likely to be female, live in urban areas, live in lower socioeconomic areas and rent their home. Most semi-owners also owned their own cats and owned more cats than non-semi-owners. Semi-owners of unowned 'stray' cats are a valuable potential target audience for human behaviour change interventions. Understanding that these semi-owners often have their own cats, might already be overwhelmed with cat-caring responsibilities and are disproportionately from lower socioeconomic backgrounds should guide intervention design. A nuanced approach is needed that prioritises the wellbeing of cats and semi-owners for semi-owners to 'buy in'. Any intervention should also recognise that semi-owners often face multiple, complex barriers to neutering or claiming ownership of the cats they care for, especially cost, and trust in the authorities.

Veterinary Clinician's Opinions and Experiences with the Feline Ovarian Pedicle Tie

Ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle is commonly performed by autoligation, also known as the pedicle tie. This technique is faster than double ligation with suture, has a very low risk of hemorrhage-related complications, and has been suggested as an acceptable standard in all practice settings. However, although it has been demonstrated to be appropriate for novice surgeons under supervision, fewer institutions teach autoligation than double ligation. This study aimed to determine the opinions and experiences of general practitioners regarding the feline ovarian pedicle tie. An anonymous 23-question online survey entitled “Veterinary Clinician's Opinions and Experiences with Surgical Spay/Neuter Techniques” was advertised to veterinarians performing feline ovariohysterectomies via social media posts that also encouraged sharing and cross-posting. The survey questions, most of which presented non-exclusive answer options resulting in percentages summing to greater than 100%, probed the opinions and experiences of veterinarians regarding the technique. There were 142 respondents, with 77 indicating the use of the pedicle tie and 65 indicating no use. Of those who used the pedicle tie, most reported learning from either a dedicated high-quality high volume (HQHV) educational setting (32%) or a colleague/mentor (32%). Nearly half used it in all cases, although 20% did not use it for pregnant cats. They had used it for a median of 5 (IQ 3-8) years, and 99% were comfortable teaching the technique to others. Of those who did not use the pedicle tie, 60% reported that it meets the standard of care (SOC), 14% reported that it does not, and 26% that it sometimes meets SOC. Most veterinarians not performing the pedicle tie thought it was appropriate for unowned cats or cats in HQHV programs (77-82%), but only 55% thought it was appropriate for owned cats in general practice. The most common reasons given for not using the technique were that they had not learned it in vet school (51%), followed by the fact that they had not seen it used before (34%) and that while they had seen it done, they were nervous to try (28%). Seventy-four percent of those who did not use autoligation of the feline ovarian pedicle used autoligation of the testicular pedicle, either the pedicle tie (40%) or figure 8 (34%). Of those who believed that the pedicle tie does not meet SOC, 78% indicated it was because they had not seen it used, and 67% because it was not taught in vet school. However, 89% reported that an expensive commercially available device with similar positive attributes, specifically reduced procedure time, met SOC. Veterinarians using the pedicle tie graduated more recently (P = 0.040), with the median year of graduation in 2011 (IQR 2004-2016) as compared to 2007 (IQR 1998-2014). The greatest barrier to performing the technique or considering it SOC is a lack of familiarity with the method and the fact that it is not taught routinely in veterinary school. There is an encouraging trend, with more recent graduates being more likely to perform the technique; however, there remains an opportunity to increase use.

Epididymectomy as a novel surgical procedure; application in the domestic cat

Feline overpopulation raises issues concerning health, ecology, economy, and ethics. Procedures to limit overpopulation should carefully address animal welfare, efficiency, costs, and feasibility. Vasectomy in unowned cats is suggested as preferable to standard neutering as it maintains male sexual behaviour which may induce ovulation and pseudopregnancy in intact females and may prevent immigration of other males. Vasectomy is not performed routinely because it is fastidious, time consuming and requires more material than standard neutering. We describe epididymectomy as an alternative. In a first experiment, we analysed semen, testosterone, behaviour and pain in six experimental cats before and after epididymectomy, and after castration two months later. Excised tissues were analysed histologically. Testosterone concentrations did not differ significantly between intact and epididymectomised animals but were significantly different after castration. Sexual behaviour and testicular spermatogenesis persisted after epididymectomy, but with a marked drop in the semen count after 7 days. The Glasgow pain scores did not differ significantly after epididymectomy and castration. In a subsequent experiment, 20 privately owned cats were epididymectomised and castrated immediately afterwards, to analyse the learning curve and perioperative complications. The time required for an epididymectomy was significantly shorter than for castration. The study confirms that epididymectomy is quicker and less invasive than castration, it is associated with minimal risks and post-operative pain while easy to learn and inexpensive. Further field studies are required to test its efficiency for feline feral population control or in other species such as in bears, lions or deer, where infertility is required and castration not wanted.

Assessing welfare risks in unowned unsocialised domestic cats in Denmark based on associations with low body condition score

BackgroundPopulations of unowned unsocialised cats are present worldwide. Generally, there is concern about their welfare. Low body condition score (BCS) is a potentially relevant indicator that is relatively easy to assess: emaciated cats are likely to have welfare problems while thin cats may be at risk of becoming emaciated. The objective of this study was to assess the association of low BSC with a selection of factors relating to the host, disease, and infection in unowned unsocialised domestic cats. We necropsied 598 euthanised unowned unsocialised cats from Denmark. We recorded each cat’s age-group, sex, and neuter status, together with its pregnancy status, the season and location of trapping, as well as gross lesions at necropsy. We also tested for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus, recorded presence of ectoparasites, and a subsample of the cats were also tested for endoparasites. Cats with no or sparse adipose deposits were categorised as having low BCS, and logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with low BCS.ResultsOf the cats, 11.4% had low BCS. Season, age-group and sex were associated with low BCS and confounded potential associations with other variables. Intact adult males and females in spring and early summer were at highest risk of low BCS. When these factors were taken into account, cats with biting lice had 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–5.4) times higher odds of low BCS, and cats with gastro-intestinal findings (i.e., enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, abdominal hernia, diarrhoea, obstructive foreign bodies, or diaphragmatic hernia) had 50 (95% CI 10–417) times higher odds of low BCS, than cats with no such findings. Cats with low BCS were primarily adult intact cats with tooth lesions and skin lesions, ear mite infection, and positive test result for feline immunodeficiency virus.ConclusionsThe results highlight associations that can be used to define a risk profile: low BCS, notably in summer-autumn, in an unowned unsocialised cat was associated with underlying, less visible problems. Thus, low BCS can be more than a step towards being emaciated; it can also be an indicator of other underlying welfare problems.

The Impact of Lethal, Enforcement-Centred Cat Management on Human Wellbeing: Exploring Lived Experiences of Cat Carers Affected by Cat Culling at the Port of Newcastle.

In urban and peri-urban areas of the world, free-roaming cats often pose management challenges for authorities. Most are wandering owned or semi-owned cats (fed by people who do not perceive ownership). Some are lost or abandoned, or unowned cats who obtain food from humans unintentionally. Unidentified cats are classified as "stray" in shelter data, and by government agencies as "stray" or "feral" based on their behaviour. However, legally feral cats are usually considered to live and reproduce in the wild with no support from humans. Cats classified as feral in Australia can be managed using lethal methods, including shooting, poisoning, trapping, and blunt trauma. The impact of killing animals on shelter staff is well documented. However, no previous research has investigated psychological impacts of lethal cat management on citizens who care for free-roaming cats. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explored the lived experience of six cat caregivers affected by lethal management of cats by shooting, instigated by the Port of Newcastle in 2020. Results demonstrated strong relationships between the caregivers and cats, and negative impacts on caregiver psychological health and quality of life associated with lethal management. It is recommended that a care-centred approach to cat management be prioritized in future, whereby authorities aid neutering and, if possible, adoption, to improve cat welfare, minimize cat nuisance complaints, and reduce psychological hazards to caregivers. Further, a revision of relevant legislation used to distinguish between domestic and feral cats in Australia should be actioned to prevent unnecessary killing of domestic cats.

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.

A discrete-time bioeconomic model of free-roaming cat management: A case study in Knox County, Tennessee

Unowned free-roaming cats are a global problem due to predation on wildlife and the spread of infectious diseases. Programs such as Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) and Trap-Euthanize (TE) have been used to manage cat populations. We present a bioeconomic model using data from Knox County, Tennessee, U.S., and some parameters from literature that weighs benefits and costs of free-roaming cat management programs. A benefit of a management program is the reduction in wildlife killed by free-roaming cats, illustrated in the model by placing a value on wildlife. The economic management costs include the costs of trapping and neutering, and the procedural and emotional costs of euthanasia. We highlight two key factors that determine which management strategy is most cost effective. The first is whether cat caretakers cooperate with management by decreasing food available for cat groups. The second is the value attributed to saving the lives of wildlife and free-roaming cats. Based on plausible cat and wildlife values, TNR was the most cost effective when caretakers cooperated, but TE was the most cost-effective when caretakers did not cooperate. When the model is adjusted for the local goals, effort, and information, it can be used as a tool for management.

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.