“State of the Mewnion”: Practices of Feral Cat Care and Advocacy Organizations in the United States

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.791134
• Publication Date: 2021-12-14T07:34:56Z
• Authors: Sabrina Aeluro; Jennifer M. Buchanan; John D. Boone; Peter M. Rabinowitz
• Keywords: Grassroots; Best practice

Over the last several decades, feral cats have moved from fringes to mainstream in animal welfare and sheltering. Although many best practice guidelines been published by national non-profits veterinary bodies, little is known about how groups “in trenches” actually operate. Our study sought address that gap through an online survey of cat care advocacy organizations based United States. Advertised as “The State Mewnion,” its topics included a range issues spanning non-profit administration, public health, caretaking trapping, adoptions friendly kittens cats, medical procedures policies, data collection program efficacy metrics, research engagement interest, relationships with wildlife advocates control agencies. Respondents 567 participated, making this largest most comprehensive on topic date. came primarily grassroots organizations. A majority reported no paid employees (74.6%), served 499 or fewer per year (75.0%), engaged between 1 9 active volunteers (54.9%), did not operate brick mortar facility (63.7%). Some our findings demonstrate shared community practice, including common use minimum weight 2.0 pounds for spay/neuter eligibility, left side ear tip removals indicate sterilization, recovery holding times after surgery commonly night male 2 nights females, requiring recommending adopters socialized kittens/cats they be kept indoor-only, less than quarter still engaging routine testing FIV FeLV. also reveals areas improvement, such lacking declared goal measurable value time frame, only sometimes scanning microchips, third using standardized injection site vaccines. This paints clearest picture yet available what constitutes standard practices serving