Transcript HSI PP Community Approach - Animal Sheltering Online

Briefing on Cats:
A Community
Approach to Solving
Cat Overpopulation
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
1
Exaggerated # for Quebec
• Only 1 litter (climate)
• 1.5 surviving to adulthood
• Lifespan of 7years
Take home message:
Exponential Growth
Cats Breed QUICKLY
The Problem: Cat Overpopulation
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?
*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
The Problem: Cat Overpopulation
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
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
Breeding ƒemales!!!
Total Population ~3 million
(including males and all sterilized cats)
The Problem: Cat Overpopulation
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 =
REMEMBER
EXPONENTIAL GROWTH,
EACH FEMALE CAN GIVE
RISE TO ANOTHER
100
CATS IN HER LIFE
X 1 270 500!?!?
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
#
Carrying Capacity
(how many can live in area)
T
#
Carrying Capacity
(how many can live in area)
TK
T
#
Carrying Capacity
(how many can live in area)
Vacuum effect
TK
T
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)
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
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
TK
TNR
TK
TNR
Vacuum effect
TK
TNR
Vacuum effect
effct
TK
TNR
Vacuum effect
TK
TNR
Closing Remarks: Cat Overpopulation
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
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: 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
THANK YOU
www.humanesociety.org/feralcats
www.alleycat.org
www.neighborhoodcats.org
For further information and
Resources, contact:
Nikolas Gour, Campaigner
[email protected]
514-395-2914
Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager
[email protected]
301-258-3129