Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management
We critique the recent article by Wolf et al. (2019) that claims scientific merit for reducing the number of stray cats in Australia through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and then we provide an inventory of biological, welfare, and economic reasons why TNR is less successful than adoption and e...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1525 |
| _version_ | 1827707330538504192 |
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| author | John L. Read Chris R. Dickman Wayne S. J. Boardman Christopher A. Lepczyk |
| author_facet | John L. Read Chris R. Dickman Wayne S. J. Boardman Christopher A. Lepczyk |
| author_sort | John L. Read |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We critique the recent article by Wolf et al. (2019) that claims scientific merit for reducing the number of stray cats in Australia through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and then we provide an inventory of biological, welfare, and economic reasons why TNR is less successful than adoption and euthanasia for managing unowned cats. Like Crawford et al. (2019) and multiple other comprehensive and unbiased Australian and international scientific reviews, we refute the idea that returning neutered unowned cats to stray populations has any valid role in responsible, ethical, affordable, and effective cat management, or in wildlife conservation. The main purported objective of TNR proponents along with animal welfare, human health, and wildlife advocacy stakeholders is to reduce the number of unhomed cats. We contend that cessation of provisioning unowned cats with food is the most effective approach to achieve this objective. We also present evidence from the Brisbane City Council that informed cat management policy, advocacy, and laws, backed up by responsible rehoming or prompt ethical euthanasia, are together effective at reducing the stray cat problem. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:45:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bec0727137ee4e00814ca8f22da56864 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:45:11Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-bec0727137ee4e00814ca8f22da568642023-11-20T11:43:26ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-08-01109152510.3390/ani10091525Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat ManagementJohn L. Read0Chris R. Dickman1Wayne S. J. Boardman2Christopher A. Lepczyk3Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, AustraliaSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaSchool of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, AustraliaSchool of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USAWe critique the recent article by Wolf et al. (2019) that claims scientific merit for reducing the number of stray cats in Australia through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and then we provide an inventory of biological, welfare, and economic reasons why TNR is less successful than adoption and euthanasia for managing unowned cats. Like Crawford et al. (2019) and multiple other comprehensive and unbiased Australian and international scientific reviews, we refute the idea that returning neutered unowned cats to stray populations has any valid role in responsible, ethical, affordable, and effective cat management, or in wildlife conservation. The main purported objective of TNR proponents along with animal welfare, human health, and wildlife advocacy stakeholders is to reduce the number of unhomed cats. We contend that cessation of provisioning unowned cats with food is the most effective approach to achieve this objective. We also present evidence from the Brisbane City Council that informed cat management policy, advocacy, and laws, backed up by responsible rehoming or prompt ethical euthanasia, are together effective at reducing the stray cat problem.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1525animal welfarecateuthanasiainfectious diseaseshelterstrap-neuter-return |
| spellingShingle | John L. Read Chris R. Dickman Wayne S. J. Boardman Christopher A. Lepczyk Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management Animals animal welfare cat euthanasia infectious disease shelters trap-neuter-return |
| title | Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management |
| title_full | Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management |
| title_fullStr | Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management |
| title_short | Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management |
| title_sort | reply to wolf et al why trap neuter return tnr is not an ethical solution for stray cat management |
| topic | animal welfare cat euthanasia infectious disease shelters trap-neuter-return |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1525 |
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