ANSC 250 1st Edition Lecture 13 Outline of Last Lecture I What is Humane Education II Humane Education at the Champaign County Humane Society CCHS III Humane Investigations Outline of Current Lecture I Definitions II Controlling cat populations III Cat reproduction IV Successful programs V Why is this so controversial Current Lecture I Some Definitions A A feral cat is a cat that cannot be handled is unsocialized with humans and is not suitable for placement in a home as a companion animal B Free roaming Cats include i Feral cats ii Lost and or abandoned cats iii Owned cats allowed to roam C Free roaming cats live in groups called Community Cats community cats most important source of cat population 80 mil compared to 20 mil of pet cats D These cats meet a carrying capacity based on available resources they live in colonies E Removing cats without removing resources will not reduce the population long term because survivors repopulate and due to the Vacuum effect cats from neighboring communities will know that there is food available there II Controlling Cat Populations A List some reasons from class on the importance of controlling these populations i Waste ii Affects other species b c cats are predatory iii Concerned about the cats welfare iv Public safety cats may carry diseases B Do nothing wait and see management strategy is historically unsuccessful and is not a humane option public pressure on local authorities to take action These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute C Destroy on site is not a humane option due to the Vacuum effect long term success unlikely PR D Trap remove and euthanize is not a humane option for the same reason as above long term success unikely w o an intense campaign to target all resident cats and all newcomers PR E Trap and relocate is limited due to the availability of suitable new homes and is not considered a humane option long term success is unlikely overcrowded shelters F Non surgical contraception is not an available option vaccine other method is block fertility R D needed G Trap Neuter and Return TNR involves most humane stabilizes population then decreases over time from attrition will just slowly die from natural causes i Humane trapping ii Spay neuter iii Vaccination against rabies iv Ear tipping for identification v Cats being returned to original colony H The long term goal for TNR is fewer cats with a population decrease through attrition natural causes This is a effective and humane option III Cat Reproduction A Cats can begin their reproductive estrous cycle as early as 4 5 months B Cats are seasonal polyestrous breeding season dictated by light C Cats are induced ovulators D Cat gestation lasts an average of 63 days 5 months and average litter size is 4 5 kittens IV Successful Programs A Targeted sterilizations are most effective This includes i Large proportions of females sterilized ii Concentrated efforts iii sterilization iv Adoption of tame cats and kittens B Shelter Neuter Return SNR is also successful and includes i Return to Field ii Feral Freedom C Is TNR endorsed by a majority of veterinary and animal welfare organizations i Yes V Why is this so controversial A One solution does not fit all situations ecosystems are complex B Emotion based vs data driven decisions C Sometimes not many data D Inconsistent legal issues