Stay Informed
Common Sense for Cats
Millions of cats have been killed in the past century, and there’s no excuse. It’s time to set the record straight and stop the killing.
The Problem:
Catch, Kill, and Kill Some More.
Right now in communities across the country, millions of cats are being senselessly rounded up and killed. Virtually all of these cats are “euthanized” (killed!) -- because they aren’t adoptable.
Seven of ten cats in shelters are killed, and virtually all captured outdoor cats are killed.
70%
are killed
What are Outdoor Cats?
Outdoor cats, sometimes called “feral” or “community” cats, live in family groups called colonies in urban alleys, city parks, and rural areas. They are part of the natural landscape.
Facts vs Myths:
Some people believe cats just don’t belong outdoors, that they live miserable lives there, and that they’re responsible for the decline of bird and wildlife populations. But it doesn’t add up.
Outdoor cats live long healthy lives outdoors.
Research shows they do not suffer harsh lives or pose a health risk to other cats. Most importantly, feral cats are neither breeding grounds for disease, nor a health threat to the communities in which they live.
Despite sensational headlines, it’s a myth that cats are the reason for species population decline.
Studies agree that human activities -- climate change, habitat destruction and pollution -- are the real culprits when some bird populations decline. That's why killing cats will never save birds.
Cats have always been a part of the natural landscape.
Science shows cats are not to blame -- studies indicate that cats play important roles in balancing the local ecosystem.
Catch & Kill Doesn’t Work
Catch and kill is a futile effort that has failed for decades --- with hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars wasted and, worse, millions of healthy cats killed. The mass killing of cats is wasteful, cruel, and unethical. It's not the answer.
Years 1-4: Catch and kill wastes tax dollars to kill cats
Years 5-8: TNR program reduces cat intake and euthanasia
The Vacuum Effect
Rounding up and killing cats does not decrease the outdoor cat population. It actually has the opposite effect, as removing cats creates a disastrous “vacuum effect” — other cats simply relocate to take advantage of the now-available resources like food and shelter, and the breeding continues.
Catch and kill removes some cats but not all
New cats move in and the cycle continues
Bottom Line:
The killing must stop
More & more tax dollars being spent on Catch & Kill.
Millions of healthy cats killed.
Millions of cats lives and tax dollars wasted each year. A real solution is needed.
The Solution:
Trap-Neuter-Return
Healthy outdoor cats living in a neighborhood.
Cats are humanely trapped by volunteers.
Cats are neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped by a veterinarian.
Cats are returned to their outdoor home.
Cats live healthy lives, but colony size declines over time.
Some TNR Success Stories
- Lancaster, PA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Rome, NY
- San Jose, CA
- Washington, DC
- Oakland, CA
- Denver, CO
- Multnomah County (Portland, Oregon)
- Cook County (Chicago), Illinois
- Austin, TX
- Maricopa County, AZ
- Indianapolis, IN
- Atlantic City, NJ
- New York, NY
Trap-Neuter-Return is working in thousands of communities across the country: it’s humane; protects cats; builds community; improves cats’ lives; ends the breeding cycle and saves taxpayer dollars.
Bottom Line: TNR Works
Gets at the heart of the issue — the breeding cycle.
Ensures outdoor cats are healthy and vaccinated.
Saves millions of lives and tax dollars.