Feral cat colonies create complaints ranging from disease, noise and filth to predation on birds and small mammals. Wild born kittens are not socialized to accept humans, and will in most cases never make suitable pets. Feral cats are trapped, euthanized, and in many places shot or poisoned.

One suggested program to control feral cats is called TNR, for Trap, Neuter, and Return. Volunteer caretakers feed feral cat colonies at designated times and places. They make an effort to see that the cats are not congregating in an area that is a problem for the general public. Cat food is not left down at all times, but carefully regulated so there is no overage that might attract more cats or other animals. At intervals the cats are trapped and taken to a veterinarian who has experience with feral cats and is willing to help. The cats are usually tested for FIP and FIV – highly infectious feline diseases - and in most cases cats that test positive are humanely euthanized. Healthy cats are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, marked (usually by cutting the tip off an ear while the cat is anesthetized), and returned to the area they were trapped in. Adoptable cats and kittens are placed in new homes.

TNR advocates believe strongly that TNR is the most effective method of controlling the feral cat population. As the adult cats are neutered, fewer kittens are born every year. Over a period of several years the colony becomes smaller as the cats die and are not replaced by more kittens.

A study done on a Florida campus tracked the population of feral cats controlled by TNR for eleven years. At the end of the study the population had been reduced by 66%. In Rome, Italy a ten-year study of a well-established TNR program showed a reduction of 16% in colonies after three years, and a 32% decrease in colonies after six years. On the campus of Texas A&M University, a two-year study starting at the year the TNR was first implemented recorded 123 cats trapped the first year. Thirty-two cats and kittens were adoptable and placed in homes. The second year only three kittens were found and were assumed to have been lost or abandoned as no nursing mothers were found.

For many years the usual method of controlling feral cat populations was to attempt to eradicate them. A number of different approaches have been tested in different parts of the world, including introducing a feline virus, poisoning, trapping and killing, and shooting. The results have been disappointing. No method has succeeded in completely eradicating every single feral cat. The result then is that the remaining cats – who still have the original food source that attracted them - breed until the colony is re-established.

It is also well documented with all wild animals, as well as feral cats, that when all of a particular species is removed from an area a vacuum effect is created. When the animal removed is a predator, the prey animals increase in numbers and can become a problem. Eventually, another predator – or more feral cats from adjacent areas – move in to the vacuum, so that the feral colony is soon recreated.

I interviewed a number of TNR groups and volunteers around the U.S. asking if they believed that having official support from the County or City Animal Control or ordinances was beneficial. Their reaction was mixed. A few told me that municipal involvement had not been to their benefit, and some were sure their particular municipality would not ever create an ordinance or a situation where TNR was officially supported. However, most of the groups that did have some official support responded that it had been a positive experience for both the TNR volunteers and the local Animal Control entity.

Communities with ordinances allowing free roaming cats were mentioned as especially helpful. Many of these communities specifically reach out to TNR volunteers and groups and share information on TNR with the general public, as well as referring citizens to the TNR caretakers if they are having a problem with feral cat colonies.

Also cited as helpful were communities providing free or low cost spay/neuter programs specifically for TNR groups and volunteer caretakers. Studies done in areas where there is this type of support show that the County or City found it was more economical to pay for spay/neuter programs than to impound and euthanize feral cats. Savings for taxpayers were also created by fewer public complaints about cats and all parties benefited from an atmosphere of humane intervention.

For instance, beginning in 1992 in San Diego, California, a TNR group named Feral Cat Coalition began sterilizing feral cats in San Diego. At that time, shelter euthanasia was at an all time high. After two years, the total number of cats brought to the shelter dropped by 35% and euthanasia dropped by 40%, saving the taxpayers an estimated $795, 976 according to a report written by Michelle S. Chappell, DVM for the California Veterinarian.

One area of public complaint against feral cats still remains to be addressed. Cats are obligate carnivores. They eat primarily meat, and they are very efficient hunters of small prey, which includes small mammals, small reptiles and amphibians, and birds, as well as insects. It is their predation on birds that draws the particular and passionate ire of birdwatchers, backyard bird feeders, and naturalists.

There is no arguing with the fact that feral cats will hunt, kill, and eat small animals. There are also no studies that I can find with hard statistics about the numbers and types of prey animals taken by feral cats. Some anecdotal evidence exists that well-fed, maintained feral colonies take less prey, but there are no hard statistics. Almost every bird watcher has at some time seen a fat, healthy, obviously well fed house cat stalk and kill birds that they did not eat.

The best reply to this issue would seem to be that managed TNR colonies, over time, reduce the number of feral cats in the area – and therefore lessen the number of animals they will kill.

Another view can also be seen in the vacuum effect mentioned earlier. If the feral cats were removed, another predator would move into the area and use the available food source. Foxes, coyotes, snakes, and even other birds such as owls and hawks naturally prey on the same animals that feral cats usually prey upon.

Many TNR advocates point towards evidence that human interference and destruction of habitat kills far more birds and other small animals than feral colonies. Personally, I don't find that a good answer.

We humans are responsible for the feral cat over-population. We are responsible, too, for the destruction of habitat, pollution, and other effects of our presence that kills birds and other animals. I believe we have to step up and be responsible for the situation we have created. It is up to us to control the feral cat population by the best method possible, and it is up to us to do everything we can to reduce pollution and preserve habitat for our wild neighbors.

I am a life-long animal rescuer and a former Animal Control Officer. When I began writing this article I was not convinced that TNR was the best solution to the feral cat problem. After researching for hard facts and statistics from recorded studies, and speaking with many of the people involved, both from the TNR groups and from other groups such as the Audubon Society, I am now convinced that TNR is the most viable method of dealing with feral cat colonies. It is not perfect, but it is the best method currently available. Communities can help by supporting TNR with free ranging cat ordinances and support free or low cost spay and neuter and vet care for TNR volunteers.

You can help by keeping your cat safely indoors and having her spayed or neutered, adopting a rescued cat or kitten, and by supporting your local TNR volunteers - or becoming one.

Summer Foovay

More Information and References

Links Alley Cat Allies Trap-Neuter-Return Wikipedia TNR Reality Check Information on Managed Cat Colonies and TNR ASPCA Feral Cat FAQ What is TNR Google ad