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

Michael C. Calver; Linda Cherkassky; Michael V. Cove; Patricia A. Fleming; Christopher A. Lepczyk; Travis Longcore; John Marzluff; Catherine Rich; Grant Sizemore

doi:10.1111/csp2.13018

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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

Journal article

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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

Michael C. Calver, Linda Cherkassky, Michael V. Cove, Patricia A. Fleming, Christopher A. Lepczyk, Travis Longcore, John Marzluff, Catherine Rich and Grant Sizemore

Conservation science and practice, e13018

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13018

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Abstract

Although 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.

Details

Title: 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
Authors/Creators: Michael C. Calver - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Linda Cherkassky - Freedom House
Michael V. Cove - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Patricia A. Fleming - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Christopher A. Lepczyk - Auburn University
Travis Longcore - University of California, Los Angeles
John Marzluff - University of Washington
Catherine Rich - Wildlands Network
Grant Sizemore - American Bird Conservancy Washington District of Columbia USA
Publication Details: Conservation science and practice, e13018
Publisher: © Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology
Identifiers: 991005606969207891
Copyright: © 2023 The Authors
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; Harry Butler Institute; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.274 Wildlife Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation
ESI research areas: Agricultural Sciences