Domestic and feral cats kill billions of birds and mammals annually. This page examines the evidence on cat predation impacts and humane management approaches.
Cat predation on wildlife presents a difficult tension between the welfare of cats and the welfare of their prey. Free-roaming cats, both owned and feral, kill wildlife at enormous scale. Birds, small mammals, and reptiles are most affected. The welfare implications for prey animals include stress, injury, and death. For cats, indoor confinement and outdoor enclosures (catios) prevent predation while protecting cats from outdoor dangers. Trap-Neuter-Return programs reduce reproduction but are debated for their effectiveness. The challenge is managing feral cat populations humanely while reducing their ecological impact.