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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: One Welfare; animal management Australia; animal welfare; cats; local government; sterilization program.

Figure 1

The timeline of the free cat sterilization programs in the city of Banyule from 2013 to 2021. Prior to 2018, residents calling about a nuisance cat were immediately provided a trap cage, and the cat was impounded. If not reclaimed by its owner, it was adopted or euthanized. In 2013/14, a free cat sterilization program was implemented in three target suburbs that were lower socioeconomically (population 13,445) and had the highest rate of cat-related calls and cat impoundments. On average, over the eight years, 4.1 cats/1000 residents were sterilized per year in the three target suburbs and 0.8 cats/1000 residents city-wide.

Figure 2

Cumulative numbers of cats sterilized city-wide, and number of cats impounded and euthanized per year following implementation of a free sterilization, microchipping, and registration program for owned and semi-owned cats in 2013/14.

Figure 3

Cat-related calls for found cats and nuisance cats per 1000 residents in 3 target suburbs (lowest socioeconomic indices for city of Banyule) and city-wide from 2011 to 2021 following the implementation of a free sterilization program for cats in 2013 (baseline years 2011 to 2012 averaged 10.8/1000 residents; Table 3).