Humane strategies for controlling feral cat populations

Levy, Julie; Crawford, P. Cynda

doi:10.2460/javma.2004.225.1354

Cited by 154 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Repeating this study in other urban areas with different mesocarnivore communities and abundances would likely reveal patterns somewhat different than the ones reported here, but we predict the overall increase in visitation and aggressiveness in the presence of cat food would hold in those areas as well. Likewise, how cat food might alter wild mesocarnivore-cat interactions in the presence of a large feral cat population remains an important question, especially in those areas where trap-neuter-release (TNR) is being used in feral cat management, as TNR programs often include ongoing feeding of feral cats after neuter and release (Levy and Crawford 2004). Our results indicate that provisioning feral cats with cat food would be a more powerful attractant to mesocarnivores compared to other anthropogenic food sources like bird seed and thereby increase the potential of feral catmesocarnivore interaction and disease transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, feral and domestic cats can reach densities exceeding several hundred cats/km 2 primarily due to human food provisioning (Liberg et al 2000). Studies in Massachusetts, California and Florida USA found that from 8 to 12 % of households fed an average of 2-4 feral cats (Levy and Crawford 2004) while studies in urban Brooklyn, New York estimated that humans provided enough supplemental pet food to support 4-5 feral cats/ha (Calhoon and Haspel 1989). Feeding of feral cats is also typically part of rapidly growing, trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs for managing feral cat populations in the United States (e.g., Centonze and Levy 2002).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Visitation rate and behavior of urban mesocarnivores differs in the presence of two common anthropogenic food sources

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cat food left out for feral and domestic cats and bird seed spilled from backyard bird feeders are two common anthropogenic food sources that may attract non-target animals like urban mesocarnivores but no studies have quantified mesocarnivore visitation at these food sources. We used motion-activated video cameras to monitor mesocarnivore use of spilled bird seed below 25 bird feeders maintained by residents in four neighborhoods in Flagstaff, Arizona, June-September 2012 and 2014. During the first five nights of monitoring only seed that spilled naturally below feeders was available. On each of the subsequent five nights, we placed a bowl of commercially available dry cat food below feeders so that both spilled seed and cat food were present. In both years, after cat food was added, the number of visits by striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and domestic cats (Felis cattus) doubled and the number of times two animals were present simultaneously also increased. Aggressive interactions, in the form of displays or contacts, increased for all species combinations but significantly only between skunks in the presence of cat food. These results demonstrate that both spilled bird seed and cat food may be exploited frequently by urban mesocarnivores and that the type of food can elicit different behavioral responses that could have important implications for human-wildlife conflict and disease transmission.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Visitation rate and behavior of urban mesocarnivores differs in the presence of two common anthropogenic food sources

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Definitions of 'feral cat' in the scientific literature are varied and it has been suggested by several authors that cats may move between sub-populations of owned, free-roaming and feral cats throughout their life (Jarmen and Van der Lee 1993, Bradshaw, Horsfield et al 1999, Slater 2002, Levy and Crawford 2004, Slater 2004, Loyd and Miller 2010. In this study, feral cats were identified by informal, subjective behavioural observations of the cat sometime on or after admission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Australian excess cat population: An exploration of cat admissions and outcomes to RSPCA shelters

Alberthsen¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It is estimated that more than 60% of cats admitted to animal shelters in Australia are euthanased. Euthanasia of healthy cats as an outcome to shelter entry is of concern for shelters, councils, and the community. Attempts made by government, welfare agencies, and community organisations to manage both cat entry to shelters and their subsequent euthanasia have achieved limited improvements. The percentage of cats euthanased has remained constant for the past decade, and a lack of fundamental statistical information about cat admission to shelters makes it difficult to understand the extent of the excess cat problem, to develop effective management strategies, and to evaluate the success of strategies employed.The aim of this thesis was to rigorously examine cat admissions and outcomes at RSPCA shelters throughout Australia. With this information it was possible to begin to address the paucity of available data and establish a nuanced description of the cat population admitted to shelters and the risk of euthanasia. From this, evidence-based recommendations for policy development, preventative measures, and future interventions were developed.Almost half of RSPCA cat admissions were stray (47%) and, when age, gender, breed, desexed status prior to admission, feral status, and year were accounted for, strays were just as likely as owner-surrendered cats to be rehomed (OR1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.2: P<0.001). The percentage of cats categorised as desexed prior to admission was high (36%) in comparison to other studies, but low considering that only 47% of owner-surrendered cats were desexed and the reported desexing rate for owned cats is 90% or more. No differences in monthly adult cat admission patterns were observed when compared to December (the month with the highest overall cat intake). However, seasonal admission patterns differed significantly for kitten admissions (regardless of the kitten age definition for each state), with most kittens admitted in the summer months (November -February) (P<0.001). The most common reason for surrender of cats was for owner-related reasons (82%); the most frequent was due to accommodation issues (21% of all owner-related reasons for surrender). Overall, 58% of 195,387 cat admissions included in this research were euthanased as an outcome to admission. The most common reasons were medical (31%) and age (22%).When shelter practices were scrutinised, it was found that the presence and enforcement of quarantine measures on admission of new cats, the provision of climbing enrichment, and shelter capacity were all significantly associated with the risk of euthanasia. Additionally, 3 from the participants in our study, it was revealed that shelters generally operated on an all or nothing approach to policy and practices. Interestingly, the presence or absence of behavioural assessments for cats, age specific policy, and attitudes of decision makers were not significantly associated with the risk of euthanasia.One of the important conclusions derived from these findings is that a...

show abstract

“…A erradicação das colônias, embora seja apontada por alguns estudos como um método ineficiente (Levy, 2004;Slater, 2002) (Levy & Crawford, 2004;Nutter, 2005), promovem o bem-estar dos animais através de frequentes intervenções veterinárias e do oferecimento controlado de alimentação (Hughes & Slater, 2002;Patronek, 1998), e colaboram com a saúde pública da população humana já que minimizam a veiculação de possíveis zoonoses. Tais programas podem também promover ações de cunho educacional, principalmente quando em parceria com grupos ou associações que incentivam a castração e a doação responsável dos animais sociáveis (Levy et al, 2003;Levy & Crawford, 2004 (Broom, 1986).…”

Section: Impactos Decorrentes Da Superpopulação De Gatos E Controle Punclassified

“…Tais programas podem também promover ações de cunho educacional, principalmente quando em parceria com grupos ou associações que incentivam a castração e a doação responsável dos animais sociáveis (Levy et al, 2003;Levy & Crawford, 2004 (Broom, 1986). Está atrelado a outros conceitos, tais como liberdade, felicidade, sofrimento, medo, tédio, ansiedade, dor, adaptação, competição e outros (Broom & Molento, 2004).…”

Section: Impactos Decorrentes Da Superpopulação De Gatos E Controle Punclassified

Manejo populacional de gatos (<i>Felis silvestris catus</i>): uma abordagem comportamental

Ramos¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

, pela oportunidade do trabalho, pela orientação e pelos conselhos acadêmicos. Pelos ensinamentos sobre comportamento e bem-estar animal, e pela parceria no trabalho com os felinos.Às companheiras de laboratório: Carol, Flávia e Juliana. Agradeço pela imensa contribuição nos trabalhos teóricos e práticos, e pelas vivências compartilhadas. Ter vocês ao meu lado minimizou todas as dificuldades.Ao biólogo Giovanne A. Ferreira, pelos ensinamentos compartilhados na oportunidade do estágio em Cananéia e pelo auxílio sempre imediato e cuidadoso com a minha pesquisa.À FFCLRP/USP e ao PPG em Psicobiologia, pela possibilidade de realização de mais uma etapa da minha formação acadêmica. À secretária do programa Renata B.Vicentini, por todas as explicações e conselhos.Ao Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), pela concessão da bolsa de mestrado e pelo financiamento de parte desse estudo. À Prof. Dra. Patrícia Monticelli, do Laboratório de Etologia e Bioacústica (EBAC -FFCLRP), e às pós-graduandas Flora e Adriana, pelo apoio desde a seleção da Psicobio e pelas experiências compartilhadas sobre a pós-graduação.À FCL -UNESP/Assis e aos membros da Comissão Gestora de Controle Populacional dos Animais do Câmpus, por fornecerem o suporte acadêmico necessário e por permitirem a realização desse estudo. Agradecimento especial à vice-diretora Profa. Dra. Ana Maria R. de Carvalho e ao assistente administrativo Marcos D'Andrea:sem o apoio e o auxílio de vocês essa pesquisa não seria possível.Ao Prof. Dr. Fernando Frei, meu primeiro orientador de iniciação científica, pelos ensinamentos sobre metodologia e estatística, pela oportunidade em iniciar na pesquisa e pelos ensinamentos sobre a vida acadêmica. Agradeço também pelo auxílio crítico no delineamento e nas análises estatísticas do presente trabalho, bem como pela excelente co-orientação no mesmo.Ao geógrafo e amigo Willian Santos, pela amizade e pela parceria dentro e fora da pesquisa. Agradeço também pela imensa colaboração na elaboração de todo o material cartográfico do presente trabalho, e pelo companheirismo nas noites veganas de estudo. Ao Prof. Dr. Pitágoras C. Bispo e ao Prof. Dr. Ciro C. Z. Branco, do Laboratório de Biologia Aquática (LABIA -UNESP/Assis), pelos ensinamentos não só durante a graduação, mas pelas vivências compartilhadas no dia-a-dia do LABIA. Por acreditarem no meu trabalho e por me permitirem fazer parte da família labiana até hoje, mesmo que com materiais felinos. Muito obrigada.Aos companheiros do LABIA (Paciência, Elisa, Maria, Pirikito, Carneiro, Richard, Rhainer, Cleto, Gon, Aurélio e Vanessa), sempre dispostos a compartilhar do conhecimento e sempre solícitos com os trabalhos de campo e de laboratório, agradeço pelas conversas e pelo apoio para a decisão de realizar esse estudo.Aos companheiros do Coletivo Amigos dos Animais de Assis, ao veterinário e professor Dr. Marcelo Fabiano e à amiga Débora Queiroz, por me permitirem continuar a acreditar na força do trabalho coletivo, por compartilharem comigo de sonhos e ações...

show abstract

Humane strategies for controlling feral cat populations

Cited by 154 publications

References 23 publications

Visitation rate and behavior of urban mesocarnivores differs in the presence of two common anthropogenic food sources

Visitation rate and behavior of urban mesocarnivores differs in the presence of two common anthropogenic food sources

The Australian excess cat population: An exploration of cat admissions and outcomes to RSPCA shelters

Manejo populacional de gatos (<i>Felis silvestris catus</i>): uma abordagem comportamental

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About