Cats on Campus
A study of feral cat populations on college campuses examined whether
sterilization programs provided significant benefits for both the
animals and the community. The study will be published in the next issue
of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.
Study Summary:
The
issues related to feral cat colonies include both the health and
welfare of the cats themselves as well as the effects they have on their
surroundings, including predation-, disease- and nuisance-related
complaints. Management of such cats ranges from trap-neuter-release
programs (TNR) to trapping and euthanasia.
A 2009 study in South
Africa examined the cat populations at five University of KwaZulu-Natal
campuses where some combination of feeding and sterilization programs
was in place. The investigators studied both the density and age
distribution of the cats and how those factors were affected by
interventions; sterilizing only about half the cats kept overall
populations stable, although the number of kittens was reduced. Feeding
programs improved feral survival rates.
Policy Implications:
Whether
you walk down your own street or travel virtually any place in the
world, you see feral cats in abundance. Several policies have been
adopted to deal with the problems associated with their presence – the
welfare of the cats, predation of small wildlife, and public safety.
This is one of those issues that often divides the animal protection
from the environmentalist communities.
As this study shows, the
use of TNR, the policy espoused by most animal protection groups,
requires a very high rate of sterilization to reduce feral cat
populations – one that is probably not practical. Moderate sterilization
rates combined with a feeding program do improve the health of a feral
cat community so managed. In the long term, the reduction of feral cat
populations awaits a solution to the problem of abandonment and escape
of companion cats.
Jones, A., & Downs, C.
(2011). Managing Feral Cats on a University’s Campuses: How Many Are
There and Is Sterilization Having an Effect? Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 14, 4, in press.
- Ken Shapiro (9/15/2011)
Published by admin on 12/26/2011 10:29:14
