The ethics of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release)
The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) details many myths and truths about the reality of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return). One of these myths is very frequently spread — that feral cats greatly impact the environment and fragile populations of wildlife. Now, the AWA claims that this is not true, and that feral cats are, in fact, needed especially in urban environments to keep large rat and mouse populations down and thus slow any spread of disease. While this is true in some areas, and certainly in specifically urban areas like within the city and on the outskirts, it is far too broad a statement to be entirely a myth or entirely the truth. A second myth that the AWA brings up is the belief that feral cats would be better off euthanized than to live a life on the street. Not only is this a false notion, but in a wider context it is also highly Western-centric and has roots in saviorism. The last myth the AWA comments on is the belief that feral cats transmit many diseases and are dangerous to humans. This is, also, a far more nuanced issue than can be discussed in one sentence.
Many environmentalists discuss TNR programs as hugely needed for the ecosystem, while owners of outdoor cats and those who feed feral cat populations claim that they keep certain harmful animals in check. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published an article titled “Free-ranging and Feral Cats”, written and sponsored by the American Bird Conservancy, Hallux Ecosystem Restoration, and Wildlife Control Consultant. In this article, the USDA first states that domestic cats are an invasive species, which is true; however, that is not always cause for concern. With feral cats, however, they are the leading cause of species extinctions just behind loss of habitat — around the world, they have been responsible for the extinction of 63 species. A wildlife rehabilitation facility in California reported that over a third of their intakes were caused by injuries from feral cats, and a facility in Virginia reported that over the course of 10 years, cats were responsible for 13.7% of bird admissions, and caused 80.8% of bird mortalities. Additionally, areas where house mice (invasive species) are found are typically in higher populations than native rodent species. Many studies have found that cats are not effective in controlling wild invasive species populations. From a monetary standpoint, cats also kill common game birds like pheasants, native quail, grouse, and waterfowl, which has a large economic effect on hunting, which in turn can impact the surrounding ecosystem when hunters potentially overhunt in areas affected by feral cats.
The AWA introduced another potential myth in the belief that feral cats are dangerous and spread disease widely. While this is somewhat unlikely, the impact cats have on spreading disease to other animals like livestock and pets cannot be understated — any spread of infected feces, scratches, and contact in any other manner can spread distemper and rabies. They can also spread some diseases to humans, like ringworm, hookworm, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis.
The next myth the AWA mentions is the belief that feral cats would be better off inside a home or euthanized; not only is this untrue, it is also an extremely North American-ethnocentric standpoint. Two animal rescue organizations I have been following for years have more information on TNR programs and the education on disease spread within the cultural context of their location. The first rescue is called “Mbwa wa Africa”, and is based in Tanzania and has veterinary volunteers that have traveled from countries around the world. Mbwa wa Africa is mainly focused on the landrace “breed” Africanis, which are the populations of independently-living or free-ranging dogs that roam many sub-Saharan countries and South Africa. They also take in cats that can be placed in homes safely and participate in TNR programs for feral cat populations. The culture surrounding dogs and cats that live outdoors is hugely frowned-upon in North America, and has always been laced with tones of saviorism and humanization of animals. Mbwa wa Africa, being located in Tanzania, does not perpetuate this belief; with the weather and culture surrounding Tanzania, it is typically expected for dogs to at least partially live outdoors. Many households keep dogs either tethered close to the home or behind their gated yards to deter theft or for basic protection. Cats are a bit different, in that they roam farther away from the home, but typically keep their territory in a radius around their “home base”. Mbwa wa Africa focuses on educating youth and adults alike in the welfare of animals, in looking after these outdoor-living dogs and cats, to get them spayed and neutered and up to date on vaccinations. In Tanzania, rabies claims about 1,500 human lives per year. The vaccination of dogs and cats helps greatly with this, as the World Health Organization and OIE World Organization for Animal Health have advocated for the ‘One-Health’ approach: vaccination of at least 70% of dog populations in rabies-endemic areas prevents the spread of rabies between dogs and its transmission to people.
The second rescue organization I have been following for years is located in Qatar, in the Middle-East. The environment in this country is far, far more hostile to dogs and cats; numerous times in the years I have followed PAWS Rescue Qatar, they have been raided by men with guns, who slaughtered every dog in their facility. This is about how hostile I mean the environment is. As many Qatari Muslims believe animals like dogs and cats are “impure” and dangerous in the eyes of Allah, some people take this to the extreme. TNR programs in Qatar not only protect the people from disease and animal attacks, but the animals themselves from being poisoned or shot by the locals.
There are a few different myths and truths that are spread about TNR programs and the positive or negative effects it can have on the surrounding environment. Though there is quite a bit of nuance in the issues concerning feral cats, but there are certainly some things that are for certain: feral cats have a significant negative effect on vulnerable native species, cause widespread destruction in ecosystems, can spread disease to livestock, pets, and humans, and thrive outdoors when populations are kept under control. There are many countries where TNR is extremely important to keep disease away, and others where they are in danger when free-ranging. In North America, keeping the populations under control with TNR programs can be detrimentally important for the sake of the ecosystem and safety of humans and animals alike.
Sources
B, Sue. “The Importance of TNR in Decreasing Feral Cat Euthanasia: Awa.” Animal Welfare Association, 13 Sept. 2024, www.awanj.org/resources/importance-of-tnr/.
“What We Do - Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue & Clinic.” Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue, 24 Nov. 2024, mbwa-wa-africa.org/what-we-do/.
“TNR Qatar — Donate.” TNR Qatar, www.tnrqatar.com/p/we-are-not-for-profit-organisation-run.html. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
United States, Congress, Dutcher, Alex. Free-Ranging and Feral Cats, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, 2021.
