Briefing on Cats : A Community Approach to Solving Cat Overpopulation

1. Briefing on Cats: A Community Approach to Solving Cat Overpopulation

2. The Problem: Cat Overpopulation • What is the source of cats? • Existing Feral cats: typically not sterilized & reproduce freely • Abandoned/Lost house cats • Abandoned kittens • House cats: not sterilized & go outside

3. 1 • Exaggerated # for Quebec • Only 1 litter (climate) • 1.5 surviving to adulthood • Lifespan of 7years • Take home message: • Exponential Growth • Cats Breed QUICKLY

4. What sort of numbers are we dealing with in Quebec*? • Total population unknown • 1 452 000 cats in households alone • 25% of cat owners visit vet annually (vs. dogs 63%) • In USA: # House-hold Cats = # Free-Ranging Cats? The Problem: Cat Overpopulation *Based on 2006-07 survey conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf of AMVQ, CDMV & Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Survey sampled 1 001 individuals in Quebec over the age of 18. Weighted by age, sex, language, and region using statistics Canada data. Margin of error is ±3,1 %, 19 of 20

5. What sort of numbers are we dealing with in Quebec*? • Total population unknown • VERY Rough Estimate • House-hold = 1 452 000 with 75% not sterilized* = 1 089 000 (both sexes) • Free-ranging = 1:1 (USA) with 100% not sterilized = 1 452 000 (both sexes) The Problem: Cat Overpopulation

6. What sort of numbers are we dealing with in Quebec*? Total population unknown VERY Rough Estimate House-hold = 1 452 000 with 75% not sterilized* = 1 089 000 ÷ 2 = 544 500 (ƒ) Free-ranging = 1:1 (USA) with 100% not sterilized = 1 452 000 ÷2 = 726 000 (ƒ) 1 270 500 The Problem: Cat Overpopulation Breeding ƒemales!!! Total Population ~3 million (including males and all sterilized cats)

7. What sort of numbers are we dealing with in Quebec*? Total population unknown VERY Rough Estimate House-hold = 1 452 000 with 75% not sterilized* = Free-ranging = 1:1 (USA) with 100% not sterilized = The Problem: Cat Overpopulation REMEMBER EXPONENTIAL GROWTH, EACH FEMALE CAN GIVE RISE TO ANOTHER 100 CATS IN HER LIFE X 1 270 500!?!?

8. The Options: Trap & Kill (TK) • Why is this solution ineffective? • Standard cat population control for decades • Can never catch EVERY cat • Can never stop immigration • Creates VACUUM EFFECT • Requires continual monitoring and cat removal • Growing public distaste/Welfare concerns

9. # Carrying Capacity (how many can live in area) T

10. Carrying Capacity (how many can live in area) # TK T

11. Carrying Capacity (how many can live in area) Vacuum effect # TK T

12. The Options: Trap Neuter Release (TNR) • What is this solution? • “A non-lethal program where stray & feral cats are humanely trapped, vaccinated, sterilized & released to reduce free-ranging population, both immediately & long-term” • Trapped by citizens using provided cages • Kittens adopted • Abandoned/stray cats adopted if possible • Vaccinated against diseases • Ill or injured beyond recovery are euthanized • Left-ear tipped for ID (according to international protocol)

13. The Options: Trap Neuter Release (TNR) • What are the advantages of this solution? • Colony size decreases over time • Cats healthy and vaccinated+ • Fewer car accidents because roam less+ • Rodent population decreased+ • Annoying behaviors reduced (spraying & vocalizing) • More humane as far fewer cats born/killed • More cost effective

14. The Options: Trap Neuter Release (TNR) • What are the costs associated? • TK $170-$225/cat • High cost from patrolling & sheltering animals • Reoccurring cost because of vacuum effect • TNR $60-$120/cat • Brunt of cost avoided using volunteers • Costs subside over time (fewer and fewer fertile cats) • Public is generally supportive of TNR

16. TK TNR

17. TK TNR

18. Vacuum effect TK TNR

19. Vacuum effct Vacuum effect TK TNR

20. Vacuum effect TK TNR

21. What can we do? • A Community Approach to Resolving Cat Overpopulation is Needed • Incredible capacity of cats to reproduce • Municipalities not using proper tools • Pet stores selling non-sterile animals • Shelters & Pounds adopting out non-sterile animals • Citizens not taking responsibility for sterilizing their pets Closing Remarks: Cat Overpopulation

22. What can we do? • A Community Approach to Resolving Cat Overpopulation is Needed • Public Education program: importance of sterilization & abandonment • Sterilization program involving: • SHELTERS, GRASS-ROOTS ORGANISATIONS, VETERINARIANS, MUNICIPALITIES, POUNDS, GOVERNMENT, and VOLUNTEERS Closing Remarks: Cat Overpopulation

23. Closing Remarks: Quick Summary • Why TNR is more effective than traditional approaches? • Long-term solution • Reduces financial burden • Reduce nuisance complaints • Pro-actively alleviate potential public health issues • TK - proven ineffective in long-term • Ties up resources requiring continual monitoring • Usually one-time trapping • Cycle is not broken • Growing public distaste/Welfare concerns

24. THANK YOU www.humanesociety.org/feralcats www.alleycat.org www.neighborhoodcats.org For further information and Resources, contact: Nikolas Gour, Campaigner ngour@hsi.org 514-395-2914 Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager npeterson@humanesociety.org 301-258-3129