Solutions-Based Approach to Urban Cat Management—Case Studies of a One Welfare Approach to Urban Cat Management

Crawford, Caitlin; Rand, Jacquie; Rohlf, Vanessa; Scotney, Rebekah; Bennett, Pauleen

doi:10.3390/ani13213423

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…The impact of high euthanasia rates significantly contributes to the poor mental health of AMOs, greatly reducing job satisfaction and psychological well-being. The potential for psychological injury is not limited to AMOs, but effects all animal carers and advocates who are exposed to euthanizing healthy and treatable cats, including the veterinarians and shelter workers who provide care, form attachments, and are bonded to the cats [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 46 , 47 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Shelters and municipalities that embrace free sterilization programs for owned and semi-owned cats, microtargeted at locations of high cat impoundments or cat-related calls, can contribute to greater animal and human welfare. Aligning cat management with One Welfare is likely to provide more successful long-term outcomes for owned and semi-owned cats and for those who care for them [ 46 , 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-Owned Cats

Cotterell,

Rand,

Barnes

et al. 2024

Animals

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In most states of Australia, local governments (councils) are responsible for the enforcement of legislation relating to domestic cats. Traditional methods used for cat management based on trap–adopt or euthanize programs have been ineffective, with cat-related calls and cat impoundments continuing to increase, resulting in many healthy cats being euthanized. This has detrimental effects on the mental health of animal management officers, staff in shelters and council facilities, and cat caregivers. The city of Banyule, Victoria, implemented a free cat sterilization, microchipping, and registration (licensing) program in 2013/14. Initially, it was targeted at three low-socioeconomic suburbs with the highest cat-related calls and intake, and was microtargeted at call locations. An average of 4.1 cats/1000 residents per year were sterilized over eight years. The program included stray cats being fed by caregivers, provided they took ownership. The program was later expanded city-wide. Over eight years, city-wide cat intake decreased by 66%, euthanasia by 82%, and cats reclaimed by owners increased from 6% of intake (2012/13) to 16% (2020/21). Cat-related calls decreased in the target area by 51%, and city-wide by 36%. The council realized cost savings of AU $440,660 associated with reduced costs for cat-related calls to council (AU $137,170) and charges from the contracted welfare agency (AU $303,490), for an outlay of AU $77,490 for sterilization costs. Instead of the traditional management of urban cats, proactive management based on targeted sterilization should be utilized by government and animal welfare agencies in Australia and internationally. These types of programs are effective at reducing cat intake and euthanasia and are cost-effective.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-Owned Cats

Cotterell,

Rand,

Barnes

et al. 2024

Animals

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The impact of high euthanasia rates significantly contributes to poor mental health of AMOs, greatly reducing job satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. The potential for psychological injury is not limited to AMOs, but effects all animal carers and advocates who are exposed to euthanizing healthy and treatable cats, including the veterinarians and shelter workers who provide care, form attachments and are bonded to the cats [1,3,6,45,46].…”

Section: Euthanasiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, shelters and municipalities that embrace free sterilization programs for owned and semiowned cats, microtargeted to locations of high cat impoundments or cat-related calls, can contribute to greater animal and human welfare. Aligning cat management to One Welfare is likely to provide more successful long-term outcomes for owned and semi-owned cats and for those who care for them [45,48].…”

Section: Euthanasiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-owned Cats

Cotterell,

Rand,

Barnes

et al. 2024

Preprint

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In Australia, traditional methods of cat management by local government (councils) animal management officers (AMO) have been ineffective, with cat-related calls and cat impoundments continuing to increase, resulting in many healthy cats being euthanized. This has detrimental effects on the mental health of AMOs, pound and shelter staff and veterinarians. The City of Banyule, Victoria implemented a free cat sterilization, microchipping and registration (licensing) program in 2013-14. Initially targeted to three low socioeconomic suburbs with the highest cat-related calls and intake, where enforcement action had little effect. An average of 4.1 cats/1000 residents per year were sterilized over eight years. The program was available to all cats in the area, including stray cats being fed by caregivers, provided they took ownership of the cats. There were no limitations on the number of cats enrolled per household and free transport was provided if required. The program was later expanded city-wide. Over eight years, city-wide cat intake decreased by 66%, euthanasia by 82%, with an increase in proportion of cats reclaimed by owners from a baseline of 6% of intake (2012-13) to 16% (2020-21). Cat-related calls decreased in the target area by 51% and city-wide by 36%. The council’s financial outlay was $84,000, which resulted in decreased costs as-sociated with cat-related calls of $266,225.00. Instead of traditional trap-adopt- kill, proactive management of urban cats based on targeted sterilization should be utilized by government and animal welfare agencies in Australia and internationally. These types of programs are effective at reducing intake and euthanasia and are cost-effective.

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

Gu,

Wu,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Animals

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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.

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Solutions-Based Approach to Urban Cat Management—Case Studies of a One Welfare Approach to Urban Cat Management

Cited by 7 publications

References 70 publications

Impact of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-Owned Cats

Impact of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-Owned Cats

Impacts of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-owned Cats

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

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