Why Doesn Trap & Kill Work?
Traditional, municipality-run attempts to trap and kill cats have historically resulted in greater numbers of stray animals than have well planned programs to trap, neuter and return cats, the TNR program. TNR, in conjunction with public education, stabilizes numbers and facilitates the eventual elimination of colonies of homeless cats. The trap-and-kill method is usually implemented in spurts. Cats will be trapped for a few weeks and then the area is abandoned. Cats who escaped the traps remain. Moreover, people continue to abandon cats and allow unneutered cats to roam. Without public education, and without a permanent caregiver to monitor the area, the breeding cycle quickly starts up again. Trap-and-kill has been used for decades and there is still a feral cat overpopulation problem. It is unethical and does not work.
