StrayCare Metro: Evaluation of a Targeted Cat Desexing Program to Manage Free-Roaming Cats.

BACKGROUND

Free-roaming cats in Australian cities contribute to wildlife impacts, community concerns, and high shelter intake. We used an observational pre-post evaluation study design of a targeted cat desexing program ("StrayCare Metro") delivered with councils and community partners in four local government areas (LGAs) of Greater Sydney (2022-2024).

METHODS

Program records documented cat enrolments and services; council and state databases supplied annual shelter intake, euthanasia, and cat-related complaints; and transect drives in two LGAs (2021 and 2024) estimated cat encounter rates and population density. The analysis did not include control LGAs.

RESULTS

The program desexed 1225 cats; among enrolled cats not already microchipped, 72% received a microchip and 28% declined despite this being offered for free. Compared with pre-program baselines, annual council shelter intake decreased by 49-73% within LGAs (61% overall), with concurrent reductions in euthanasia. Cat-related complaints declined in three LGAs (47-64%) but increased in one. Transect drives indicated substantial declines in cat encounter rates in Blue Mountains (51%) and Campbelltown (35%) and lower density estimates in both surveyed LGAs.

CONCLUSIONS

A collaborative targeted desexing approach was associated with large reductions in council pound intake, euthanasia, and, in most areas, nuisance complaints, alongside independent indications of reduced free-roaming cat density.