Simulating free-roaming cat population management options in open demographic environments

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 26;9(11):e113553. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113553. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Large populations of free-roaming cats (FRCs) generate ongoing concerns for welfare of both individual animals and populations, for human public health, for viability of native wildlife populations, and for local ecological damage. Managing FRC populations is a complex task, without universal agreement on best practices. Previous analyses that use simulation modeling tools to evaluate alternative management methods have focused on relative efficacy of removal (or trap-return, TR), typically involving euthanasia, and sterilization (or trap-neuter-return, TNR) in demographically isolated populations. We used a stochastic demographic simulation approach to evaluate removal, permanent sterilization, and two postulated methods of temporary contraception for FRC population management. Our models include demographic connectivity to neighboring untreated cat populations through natural dispersal in a metapopulation context across urban and rural landscapes, and also feature abandonment of owned animals. Within population type, a given implementation rate of the TR strategy results in the most rapid rate of population decline and (when populations are isolated) the highest probability of population elimination, followed in order of decreasing efficacy by equivalent rates of implementation of TNR and temporary contraception. Even low levels of demographic connectivity significantly reduce the effectiveness of any management intervention, and continued abandonment is similarly problematic. This is the first demographic simulation analysis to consider the use of temporary contraception and account for the realities of FRC dispersal and owned cat abandonment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild*
  • Castration / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cats*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Environment
  • Euthanasia, Animal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Ownership
  • Population Control / methods
  • Population Control / statistics & numerical data
  • Sterilization, Reproductive / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States

Grants and funding

This research was supported by a grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org) (no grant number available) to JRB. Additional funding from the National Science Foundation (www.nsf.gov), grant #EF-0832858, to MRS. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.