COMBATING THE NAYSAYERS: WHO SAYS THERE S NO PROOF TNR WORKS?

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Caroline Barton
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1 COMBATING THE NAYSAYERS: WHO SAYS THERE S NO PROOF TNR WORKS? Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats Katie Lisnik, Director of Cat Protection and Policy, The Humane Society of the United States

2 WHAT DOES WORKS MEAN? TNR policy goals: Animal sheltering Lower intake & euthanasia Public health Prevent the spread of rabies Reduce nuisance complaints Animal welfare Improve the cats quality of life Fewer unowned cats Wildlife conservation Less predation / competition for food

3 WHAT DOES TNR MEAN? Include adoption? Include vaccination? Include post-sterilization management? Include spay/neuter equally of males and females? Is Return to Field a form of TNR?

4 WHAT DOES PROOF MEAN? NO: Extrapolation - results in one study apply to use of TNR in general Why not? Because of variations in: Setting (e.g., rural vs. urban) Climate Culture Scale Methodology Sources of cat inflow & outflow Length of study period

5 WHAT DOES PROOF MEAN? YES: There is evidence policy goals can (or cannot) be achieved in certain circumstances A growing body of research helps to identify: key variables and how to adjust for them methodologies with greater or lesser likelihood of achieving goals consistent results, if any, across a variety of conditions and settings

CAUSATION VS. CORRELATION Study: People who drink diet soda had a higher risk of dementia and strokes* Causation: artificial sweeteners in diet soda damage the brain?

6 CAUSATION VS. CORRELATION Study: People who drink diet soda had a higher risk of dementia and strokes* Causation: artificial sweeteners in diet soda damage the brain? OR Correlation: people who drink diet soda tend to have higher incidence of diabetes and vascular illness? *Pase MP, Himali JJ, Beiser AS, Aparicio HJ, Satizabal CL, Vasan RS, et al. Sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages and the risks of incident stroke and dementia: a prospective cohort study. Stroke. 2017;48: doi: /STROKEAHA

7 ANIMAL SHELTERING: INTAKE & EUTHANASIA J.K. Levy, N.M. Isaza, K.C. Scott, Effect of highimpact targeted trap-neuter-return and adoption of community cats on cat intake to a shelter, The Veterinary Journal (2014), doi: /j.tvjl Altered 2,366 community cats (54% of estimated total) in one zip code over two years TNR volume and animal control policies unchanged in rest of county 1,230 cats returned outdoors and 1,113 adopted or transferred

ANIMAL SHELTERING: INTAKE & EUTHANASIA Results: Shelter intake in target zip code down 66% in 2 nd project year (from 247 to 83) Shelter intake in rest of county down 12% (from 3,749 to 3,315)

8 ANIMAL SHELTERING: INTAKE & EUTHANASIA Results: Shelter intake in target zip code down 66% in 2 nd project year (from 247 to 83) Shelter intake in rest of county down 12% (from 3,749 to 3,315) Authors conclusions: Adoption of friendly cats one of the most tangible ways for TNR to quickly reduce # of homeless cats in a community Targeted TNR interventions likely to reduce intake faster than spreading limited TNR resources over a wider area

9 ANIMAL SHELTERING: INTAKE & EUTHANASIA Edinboro, C, Watson, H, Fairbrother, A. (2016) Association between a shelter-neuter-return program and cat health at a large municipal animal shelter, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 248, no.3: Analyzed cat admissions at San Jose Animal Care Center from 2006 through 2013 Over 90% of admissions from City of San Jose (approx. pop. 1 million) Return to Field (aka SNR) introduced on March 8, 2010

10 Results: Euthanasia decreased from 68.9% of live admissions in 2006 (7,392 of 10,732) to 27.4% in 2013 (2,321 of 8,489) 8,086 cats in SNR program from launch through 2013 (approx. average 2,000/yr) Live intake down from 10,732 in 2006 to 8,489 in 2013 (21% decrease) ANIMAL SHELTERING: INTAKE & EUTHANASIA

11 ANIMAL SHELTERING: INTAKE & EUTHANASIA Lower intake = fewer community cats? Authors identify multiple possible factors for decrease in admissions: Improving economy Changes in shelter protocols SNR program Other TNR and spay/neuter programs Deterred admissions (from SNR program) Authors: [I]t may be difficult to discern the true extent to which the number of feral cats in the SJACC service area decreased during the study period.

12 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rabies Surveillance in the United States during 2014, dex.html In U.S. and Puerto Rico, 6,033 cases of rabies in animals, 1 in humans 92.6% of animal rabies in wildlife (most frequent = raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes) 272 reported cases of cat rabies (4.5% of total reported for animals; 1.1% of cats tested) Most cat cases (52.9%) from areas with raccoon rabies

PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cost of Rabies Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/cost.

13 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cost of Rabies Prevention, Potential exposure without 10 day quarantine may require administration of rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) Estimated cost of PEP is $3,000/person Estimated number of PEP treatments in U.S. is 40,000 to 50,000 per year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Burden of Rabies, Most PEP treatments due to exposure to domestic animals like cats and dogs

PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Reece, J.F., Chawla, S.K. (2006) Control of rabies in Jaipur, India, by the sterilization and vaccination of neighbourhood dogs, The Veterinary Record, Vol.

14 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Reece, J.F., Chawla, S.K. (2006) Control of rabies in Jaipur, India, by the sterilization and vaccination of neighbourhood dogs, The Veterinary Record, Vol. 159, Neighborhood dogs defined as either semi-dependent or independent of people for food and shelter and unrestricted in their movements. Target area = section of Jaipur, India Target dog demographic = females & prepubescent males 8 year study period ( ); 24,986 captured; 89.8% released after treatment

15 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Results: By end, 65.7% females and 5.8% of males sterilized and vaccinated; 35% of all dogs vaccinated Reported rabies cases in target area declined from maximum of 10 (1996) to 0 in last 26 months of study; increased elsewhere in Jaipur Dog population declined 28% Combining sterilization with vaccination may reduce required vaccination coverage

PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Zhang J, Jin Z, Sun G-Q, Zhou T, Ruan S (2011) Analysis of Rabies in China: Transmission Dynamics and Control, PLoS ONE 6(7): e20891. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.

16 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (RABIES) Zhang J, Jin Z, Sun G-Q, Zhou T, Ruan S (2011) Analysis of Rabies in China: Transmission Dynamics and Control, PLoS ONE 6(7): e doi: /journal.pone China 2 nd highest for human rabies case; dogs primary means of transmission Mathematical modeling to study impact of dog birth rate and vaccination rates Concluded most effective way to control rabies in China is to decrease dog birth rate while increasing immunization rates Immunization about ten times more effective than culling at controlling rabies

PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (TOXOPLASMOSIS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Toxoplasmosis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/faqs.

17 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (TOXOPLASMOSIS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Toxoplasmosis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Disease caused by single cell parasite Estimated 60 million people in U.S. infected; few show symptoms Most at risk are pregnant women, immunecompromised Routes of transmission include handling undercooked & contaminated meat, drinking contaminated water, accidental ingestion of contaminated cat feces, motherto-child transmission, receiving infected organ or blood

PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (TOXOPLASMOSIS) Sugden, K., et al (2016) Is Toxoplasma Gondii Infection Related to Brain and Behavior Impairments in Humans?

18 PUBLIC HEALTH: DISEASE CONTROL (TOXOPLASMOSIS) Sugden, K., et al (2016) Is Toxoplasma Gondii Infection Related to Brain and Behavior Impairments in Humans? Evidence from a Population-Representative Birth Cohort, PLoS ONE 11(2): e Population representative birth cohort study (n = 837); all born in 1972 or 1973, same city in NZ Assessed periodically beginning at age 3 through age % infected by age 38 Toxoplasmosis not significantly associated with neuropsychiatric conditions, poor impulse control, personality differences or poorer neurocognitive performance.

19 PUBLIC HEALTH: NUISANCE BEHAVIOR Finkler H, Gunther I, and Terkel J. (2011) Behavioral differences between urban feeding groups of neutered and sexually intact free-roaming cats following a trap-neuter-return procedure, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 238, no. 9; Observed 4 colonies over a period of one year in an urban setting in Israel Two of the colonies were TNR ed to produce adult sterilization rates at the outset of > 70%, two had no TNR performed. Significant immigration of unneutered cats into the TNR ed colonies occurred during the study period. Rate of aggressive interactions significantly lower in TNR ed colonies Almost no aggressive encounters observed between two neutered male cats Neutering may lead to less fighting & vocalization

PUBLIC HEALTH: NUISANCE BEHAVIOR Zaunbrecher, K.I. and Smith, R.E. (1993) Neutering of feral cats as an alternative to eradication programs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 203, 449-452.

20 PUBLIC HEALTH: NUISANCE BEHAVIOR Zaunbrecher, K.I. and Smith, R.E. (1993) Neutering of feral cats as an alternative to eradication programs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 203, Altered 38 of 40 free-roaming cats living on the grounds of a federal research facility & hospital in rural Louisiana, then observed for 36 months Prior to the study, unwanted noise from cat fighting and mating had been common No instances of nocturnal vocalization observed during the three-year study period No kittens observed. 10 cats died or disappeared, 6 new cats appeared = decline in colony size from 40 to 36.

PUBLIC HEALTH: NUISANCE BEHAVIOR Hart, B, and Eckstein, R (1997) The role of gonadal hormones in the occurrence of objectionable behaviours in dogs and cats, Applied Animal Behaviour Science 52,

21 PUBLIC HEALTH: NUISANCE BEHAVIOR Hart, B, and Eckstein, R (1997) The role of gonadal hormones in the occurrence of objectionable behaviours in dogs and cats, Applied Animal Behaviour Science 52, Survey of owners of male cats: following castration, 80 to 90% saw improvement in roaming behavior, aggressive interactions with other neighborhood males and urine spraying in the house. Hendriks, W, et al (2008) Testosterone increases urinary free felinine, N-acetylfelinine and methylbutanolglutathione excretion in cats (Felis catus), Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Vol. 92, 53 62; DOI: /j x. Intact males urine more noxious than castrated males due to amino acid (felinine) regulated by testosterone.

ANIMAL WELFARE Scott, K.C., Levy, J.K., Gorman S.P. (2002) Body Condition of Feral Cats and the Effect of Neutering, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 5(3), 203 213.

22 ANIMAL WELFARE Scott, K.C., Levy, J.K., Gorman S.P. (2002) Body Condition of Feral Cats and the Effect of Neutering, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 5(3), At time of neutering, 105 adult feral cats evaluated for body fat, condition and weight. Approx. one year later, 14 cats re-trapped and evaluated. Cats gained weight, had higher body condition scores, and had grown fatter. Caretakers of re-trapped cats judged their cats friendlier, less aggressive, less inclined to roam, heavier and experiencing improved coat condition and health.

23 ANIMAL WELFARE Wallace, J., Levy, J.K. (2006) Population characteristics of feral cats admitted to seven trap-neuter-return programs in the United States, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 8, , doi: /j.jfms Evaluated data from seven large-scale TNR programs for over 100,000 feral cats with time frames ranging from 1993 through 2004 Geographic variation: programs were in Arizona, California (San Diego & San Francisco), Florida, Hawaii, North Carolina and Washington Few cats euthanized for debilitating conditions (0.4%) Fatal complications from surgeries were low (0.4%, range of 0.2% to 0.7% - six groups provided data) similar to pet cats undergoing elective surgeries

24 ANIMAL WELFARE Across all programs: Pregnancies were lowest from October through December (< 3.5% of females) Pregnancies began to increase in January and February (as the days lengthened in the northern hemisphere, promoting onset of estrus) Pregnancies peaked from March through April (range 36.8% to 58% of females)

POPULATION REDUCTION: COLONY SCALE Levy, J.K., Gale, D.W., and Gale, L.A. (2003) Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 222, 42-46.

25 POPULATION REDUCTION: COLONY SCALE Levy, J.K., Gale, D.W., and Gale, L.A. (2003) Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 222, University campus in Central Florida TNR and adoption program begun in 1991 total of 155 cats treated, 11 colonies 68 cats (67 altered) on campus in 1996; down to 23 in 2002 No kittens observed after 1995 Of 155 cats, 47% adopted, 32% died, disappeared or euthanized

POPULATION REDUCTION: COLONY SCALE Nutter FB, Evaluation of a trap-neuter-return management program for feral cat colonies: population dynamics, home ranges, and potentially zoonotic diseases,

26 POPULATION REDUCTION: COLONY SCALE Nutter FB, Evaluation of a trap-neuter-return management program for feral cat colonies: population dynamics, home ranges, and potentially zoonotic diseases, Thesis, 2005, pp , _phd.pdf 9 colonies in rural North Carolina county 6 sterilized colonies (at least 90% s/n at outset), 3 control (0% s/n at outset) All colonies provided daily food and water, shelter and similar medical treatment (vaccines, parasite control); no new kittens or immigrants were altered After two years, all 6 sterilized colonies decreased in size (from total 79 cats to 53), while 2 of 3 control colonies increased (23 to 31) and 1 decreased (10 to 3; but rose to 14 after 4 yrs) After seven years, the 6 sterilized colonies had decreased to a total of 27 cats with 1 colony extinct.

27 POPULATION REDUCTION: COLONY SCALE Natoli, E. et al. (2006) Management of feral domestic cats in the urban environment of Rome (Italy), Preventative Veterinary Medicine, doi: /j.prevetmed colonies in section of Rome decreased an average of 22% with most declines occurring two years after neutering; 66% total s/n rate Centonze, L., Levy, J.K. (2002) Characteristics of free-roaming cats and their caretakers, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220, colonies in North Central Florida declined an average of 26% over a median of 18 months; 70% total s/n rate Tan, K., Rand, J., Morton, M. (2017) Abstract: Trap-neuter-return activities in urban stray cat colonies in Australia (submitted for publication contact J. Rand: jacquie@petwelfare.org.au). 53 caretakers in mostly urban Australia managed a median of 1.5 colonies and saw colony size reduced from median 11.5 cats to 6.5 over median of 2.2 years; 69% s/n rate

28 POPULATION REDUCTION: COMMUNITY SCALE Ireland, T., Neilan, R. M. (2016) A spatial agent-based model of feral cats and analysis of population and nuisance controls, Ecological Modelling, 337, , Simulation model to compare impact of neutering (TNR) and vasectomy/hysterectomy (TVHR) on population reduction and nuisance behavior Both TNR and TVHR have potential to significantly reduce populations in urban and rural settings; TNR also can reduce nuisance behaviors Effectiveness depends on capture rate, colony size, number of colonies targeted in same area, immigration and abandonment

POPULATION REDUCTION: COMMUNITY SCALE Miller, P.S., et al (2014) Simulating Free-Roaming Cat Population Management Options in Open Demographic Environments, PLOS ONE 10(3): e0119390. https://doi.

29 POPULATION REDUCTION: COMMUNITY SCALE Miller, P.S., et al (2014) Simulating Free-Roaming Cat Population Management Options in Open Demographic Environments, PLOS ONE 10(3): e Simulation model to compare impact of TNR, trap-and-remove (TR) and temporary contraception on population reduction in different settings When same number of cats are treated, TR is the most effective at reducing numbers, followed by TNR then temporary contraception. All have impact at relative thresholds. Immigration and abandonment can have significant negative impact on population reduction regardless of approach Targeting females greater impact than males

30 POPULATION REDUCTION: COMMUNITY SCALE Reece, J.F., Chawla, S.K. (2006) Control of rabies in Jaipur, India, by the sterilization and vaccination of neighbourhood dogs, The Veterinary Record, Vol. 159, Targeted non-isolated section of Jaipur, India (Pink City) After 8 years, achieved 65.7% sterilization of females, 5.8% of males 28% population reduction by end of study

31 POPULATION REDUCTION: COMMUNITY SCALE Lazenby, B.T., Mooney, N.J., Dickman, C.R. (2014) Effects of low-level culling of feral cats in open populations: a case study from the forests of southern Tasmania, Wildlife Research, 41, Open population = not closed off or a small island Performed low-level trapping & culling at two remote Tasmania wilderness areas over 13 months Tracked cats with remote cameras captured 26 of 86 known individuals Cat population in trapping areas rose 211% and 75% during the culling period; remained stable at one control site, fluctuated at 2nd; returned to pre-culling levels when trapping ceased Authors speculate dominant cats were trapped, leading to higher juvenile survival and increased immigration

32 POPULATION REDUCTION: COMMUNITY SCALE Current HSUS Research- cat counting metrics In conjunction with population biologist and the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington D.C. Randomized transect walks in control and targeted TNR zip codes Counts over time (scale of years) produces an index of change in population Pilot project to test efficacy and ease of counting Long-Term Plans- publish findings and produce a how-to guide and tools for any group to use and build in as another measure of program effectiveness

33 TAKEAWAYS (LESSONS LEARNED) Research shows evidence of a number of potential benefits from TNR: Reduced cat intake and euthanasia at shelters Lower risk of rabies transmission Less nuisance behavior Improved cat welfare Population reduction

34 TAKEAWAYS (LESSONS LEARNED) Important factors in maximizing effectiveness: High treatment rates within target population Combining sterilization/vaccination with adoption Municipal support Timing Mitigating negative impact of immigration and abandonment Adequate resources

35 TAKEAWAYS (LESSONS LEARNED) Immigration: Target areas/neighborhoods/communities, not only individual colonies or cats Miller, P.S., et al (2014) Simulating Free-Roaming Cat Population Management Options in Open Demographic Environments, PLOS ONE 10(3): e

36 TAKEAWAYS (LESSONS LEARNED) Immigration: Target areas/neighborhoods/communities, not only individual colonies or cats Expand outwards from treated areas Miller, P.S., et al (2014) Simulating Free-Roaming Cat Population Management Options in Open Demographic Environments, PLOS ONE 10(3): e

TAKEAWAYS (LESSONS LEARNED) Abandonment TNR alone is not the full solution TNR should be part of a comprehensive cat management program that includes: Low cost or free spay/neuter for

37 TAKEAWAYS (LESSONS LEARNED) Abandonment TNR alone is not the full solution TNR should be part of a comprehensive cat management program that includes: Low cost or free spay/neuter for pet cats Overcoming access issues to spay/neuter Outreach to economically challenged or otherwise isolated communities Pet owner education (re: roaming, surrenders, spay/neuter, etc.)

YOU CAN SUPPORT FURTHER RESEARCH! Improve your agency s data collection on community cats Where are the colonies? Who are the caretakers? What is happening with their cats?

38 YOU CAN SUPPORT FURTHER RESEARCH! Improve your agency s data collection on community cats Where are the colonies? Who are the caretakers? What is happening with their cats? Cat Stats: free online colony tracking system for TNR programs (from Neighborhood Cats) See Caretakers (or program administrators) enter colony data remotely Data is mapped and organized in spreadsheets accessible to program administrators Get involved with cat counting Tools and guide coming soon

39 Thank you!

CASE STUDIES. Trap-Neuter-Return Effectively Stabilizes and Reduces Feral Cat Populations

CASE STUDIES. Trap-Neuter-Return Effectively Stabilizes and Reduces Feral Cat Populations CASE STUDIES Trap-Neuter-Return Effectively Stabilizes and Reduces Feral Cat Populations Copyright 2015 by Alley Cat Allies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814-2525