The Fiscal Impact of Trap, Neuter and Return Policies in Controlling Feral Cat Populations in the United States
Summary of Results:
Over the last two decades, the number of cats in the United States has steadily increased along with the human population. Over a third of households owned at least one cat in 2007, equaling approximately 80 million pet cats in America.
1 While the number of feral cats is difficult to calculate, the feral cat population in the United States roughly equals the number of pet cats.
2 The rapidly growing population of feral cats has led many local governments into taking action to combat overpopulation. Generally, municipalities use trap and eradication techniques that involve high rates of euthanasia for those cats not able to be returned or adopted out.
