Feral cat populations cause significant wildlife harm and themselves experience poor welfare. Trap-neuter-return programs and other approaches balance multiple welfare concerns.
Feral cats face poor welfare from disease, starvation, predation, and exposure. Common injuries include bite wounds from fights, vehicle strikes, and infectious disease. Their impact on wildlife — particularly birds and small mammals — constitutes harm to other animals. Trap-neuter-return reduces reproduction but does not eliminate existing welfare problems for individual cats or ecological harm. The most effective long-term solution combines TNR with reducing new outdoor cat abandonment through education and accessible neuter services.