Impact of a Local Government Funded Free Cat Sterilization Program for Owned and Semi-Owned Cats.

Simple Summary: Free-roaming cats in urban areas are a source of nuisance complaints. In Australia, legislation relating to requirements that cat owners microchip and contain their cats on their property has been largely ineffective in reducing the number of free-roaming cats, because most are strays with no owner. Cats causing nuisance complaints are typically trapped and impounded, but only 7% of cats entering local government facilities are reclaimed by owners, with the remaining either rehomed or euthanized. Many healthy cats are euthanized, negatively impacting the staff involved. In 2013, the city of Banyule in Victoria funded and implemented a free program for cat sterilization, microchipping, and registration. The program was largely targeted at low-socioeconomic suburbs with the highest cat-related complaints and microtargeted at "hot-spots". Free transport of cats was offered to community members if needed. Stray cats fed by community members enrolled in the program became owned. Over 8 years, 33.0 cats/1000 residents were sterilized in the three target suburbs (average 4.1 cats/1000 per year). Key findings were city-wide decreases in impoundments by 66%, euthanasia by 82%, and cat-related calls by 36% over 8 years, with savings to council of AU $440,660 for an outlay of AU $77,490. In most states of Australia, local governments (councils) are responsible for the enforcement of legislation relating to domestic cats. Traditional methods used for cat management based on trap–adopt or euthanize programs have been ineffective, with cat-related calls and cat impoundments continuing to increase, resulting in many healthy cats being euthanized. This has detrimental effects on the mental health of animal management officers, staff in shelters and council facilities, and cat caregivers. The city of Banyule, Victoria, implemented a free cat sterilization, microchipping, and registration (licensing) program in 2013/14. Initially, it was targeted at three low-socioeconomic suburbs with the highest cat-related calls and intake, and was microtargeted at call locations. An average of 4.1 cats/1000 residents per year were sterilized over eight years. The program included stray cats being fed by caregivers, provided they took ownership. The program was later expanded city-wide. Over eight years, city-wide cat intake decreased by 66%, euthanasia by 82%, and cats reclaimed by owners increased from 6% of intake (2012/13) to 16% (2020/21). Cat-related calls decreased in the target area by 51%, and city-wide by 36%. The council realized cost savings of AU $440,660 associated with reduced costs for cat-related calls to council (AU $137,170) and charges from the contracted welfare agency (AU $303,490), for an outlay of AU $77,490 for sterilization costs. Instead of the traditional management of urban cats, proactive management based on targeted sterilization should be utilized by government and animal welfare agencies in Australia and internationally. These types of programs are effective at reducing cat intake and euthanasia and are cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]