Does Eradication of Feral Cat Colonies Work?
Eradication attempts are only temporary “quick fixes” that sacrifice animals’ lives unnecessarily and yield no positive or beneficial return. Study after study has shown that eradication (trap and kill) does NOT work and in many cases, it is counterproductive. Eradication causes a “vacuum effect,” meaning, within a few short months, other stray cats quickly move in and fill the vacated territories and start the breeding process over again. Roger Tabor discusses this phenomenon saying, “Although a total ‘wipe-out’ often appeals to authorities due to its apparent simplicity, it normally fails, as it does not allow for biological reality, and worse, is often counterproductive.” 4 Meaning, when cats are removed, rodent populations explode and increase the spreading of disease. Instead of eradicating a colony and killing cats, sterilization would be the most effective and humane method of control. Roger Tabor adds that, “if a colony is neutered and returned to its area it will continue t
