Cat Welfare Group Issues Guidelines for Care of Stray and Unwanted Cats

International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) issued a new set of guidelines Friday indicating that long-term confinement is not a humane method for dealing with feral, stray and abandoned cats.

Current estimates indicate there are approximately 272 million domestic cats (Felis catus)in the world living in a variety of conditions. Some are house cats completely dependent upon humans, while others are entirely feral with little or no human contact.

"Because cats are adaptable and often reproduce efficiently, populations can grow to a point where interventions are required," according to the International Cat Care organization. "Overpopulation can result in unnecessary suffering, particularly if the cats are perceived as a nuisance to humans. In developing its guidelines, ISFM looked realistically at the plethora of situations where population control may be required and provided practical, considered, objective solutions that are in the best interests of individuals and groups of cats."

The new set of guidelines for feline population management indicate the neutering cats is essential, adding that the TNR method of trapping feral cat and street cats, neutering them and returning them to where they were found is a "well proven method" for population regulation.

For cats experiencing sustained physical or psychological suffering, "humanely administered euthanasia is a legitimate welfare option," the guidelines state.

The group also recommends neutering for domestic cats at four months old.

For previously owned stray cats or abandoned cats, the group says re-homing is the ideal solution, but that in some cases the cat's confinement in a home or a shelter will cause undue stress to the cats, as well as putting handlers in danger of possible injury brought on by aggressive behavior.

"While never an easy decision, if other options (such as TNR) are unavailable, euthanasia should be considered to avoid the suffering associated with long-term confinement," the group said.

The full set of guidelines is published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.