Stray and feral cat populations cause welfare concerns for the cats themselves and for wildlife. Trap-Neuter-Return and other management approaches have different welfare implications.
Stray cat welfare involves genuine tension between the welfare of individual cats and the welfare of wildlife they predate. TNR programmes keep individual cats alive but do not eliminate wildlife predation impacts. Euthanasia of feral cats reduces individual suffering from harsh outdoor life but is opposed on welfare grounds by many advocates. The welfare-centred approach prioritises preventing unwanted cats through neutering owned cats, microchipping, and responsible rehoming, rather than managing the consequences of irresponsible ownership. TNR with colony management by dedicated carers represents the most humane management for established feral populations.