Managing stray cat and dog populations requires balancing the welfare of existing strays, the welfare of potential future animals, and public health considerations through methods whose welfare implications vary significantly.
Stray animal welfare requires distinguishing between the welfare of individual existing animals and the population-level welfare implications of different management strategies. Methods that reduce suffering for existing strays while preventing the creation of future stray animals through sterilization and owner education represent the most welfare-consistent approach. Lethal control that is rapid and humane may be justified in specific public safety contexts but should not be the primary population management strategy given its documented failure to produce sustained reduction.