Feral cat populations are a problem in the US, estimated at 70 million cats. They live in areas behind restaurants and in neighborhoods. Feral cats kill billions of birds and mammals each year. They also spread diseases. Two approaches to decreasing populations are trap and euthanize, which is inhumane and costly, and Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) which is more humane but reduces populations slowly. A variation, Trap, Neuter, Vasectomy/Hysterectomy, Release (THVR) may reduce populations faster by keeping territorial behaviors.

1. 
Controlling the Feral Cat population
What can be done?

2. Feral cats
• Stray cats and feral
cats are not the same.
• According to the
humane society: There
are estimated to be 70
million feral cats living
in the US.

3. Feral cats
• Where do feral cats live?
• Why is the number of feral
cats a problem?
• How can we decrease
their population?

4. Where are feral cats commonly found?
• Behind restaurants and fast food
establishments.
• Roadside
• Woods
• Neighborhoods
• Could even show up on your porch

5. Danger to wildlife
Cats are responsible for the deaths of 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds and 6.9
to 20.7 billion mammals every year, according to research
conducted by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

6. Disease and Parasites
 Rabies
 Feline Leukemia
 Feline Aids
 Hookworm
 Heartworm
 Fleas

7. Decreasing the number of feral cats
Trap and Euthanize
a. Difficult to find
volunteers
b. Inhumane
c. Short term solution
d. Can be costly

8. TNR:Trap neuter/spay release
 TNR: Trap neuter/spay and Release
a. Easier to find volunteers
b. Cats are not harmed
c. Lessens nuisance behavior
1. spraying
2. fighting
3. mating calls

9. TNR:Trap neuter/spay release
 TNR
d. Males loose their instinct to
protect their territory
e. Hormone releases change welcoming
new cats into colony
f. Population decrease happens very slowly

10. THVR:TrapVasectomy/Hysterectomy release
TVHR: males keep their sex drive
therefore protect their territory and still
will attempt to mate with female cats in
the colony. Creates 45 day pseudo-
pregnancy.

11. THVR:TrapVasectomy/Hysterectomy release
• 35% capture rate results in elimination of one feral
cat colony within 11 year.
• TNR: needs 85% capture rate for same results
• Trap and euthanize will not reduce size of colonies.
The feral cats that are not caught will continue to
reproduce.