Few animals spark as much debate as cats. Loved by fans and opposed by critics in equal measure, these predators are known for intelligence, patience, solitude, and relentless hunting. They are fast, cunning, highly agile, territorial, and sometimes driven by strong appetite. Some researchers have even proposed neutering all stray cats to curb the damage they often cause to native fauna. That suggestion has drawn both strong support and sharp criticism.
Cats, particularly strays, have become a genuine problem in certain places. Globally, cats are linked to declines or extinctions of more species than any other invasive predator, a conclusion highlighted by a study published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology.
Against this backdrop, inquiries arise about how to respond to cats. A research team in New Zealand reviewed current knowledge and emerging needs regarding the management of this species to inform policy and practice.
The authors begin with a clear assertion: cats (Felis catus) stand among the world’s most damaging invasive predators. Their work emphasizes the particularly severe impacts observed in New Zealand, while acknowledging that cats as companions are valued in many households and communities and are likely to persist widely into the future.
For accountability and companionship, stray and wild cats are part of a larger conversation about wildlife protection. Protecting native fauna raises the question of how to minimize the harms caused by predation, competition with other species, and diseases affecting wildlife, livestock, and human communities.
Researchers distinguish three broad cat categories. Companion cats live with humans and rely on them for food and care. Stray cats depend more on human activity for some needs but roam around care centers and private residences. Feral cats have little to no dependence on people and survive independently of the pet population.
There are significant knowledge gaps about how each category impacts the environment and the best management approaches. This uncertainty, noted by researchers from Manaaki Whenua–Landcare Research, underlines the need for targeted studies and practical guidance.
Appropriate management actions depend on land use, whether urban or wilderness, the values to be protected such as wildlife or human health, and the balance of safety, humane treatment, social acceptability, and economic considerations.
By reviewing both New Zealand’s extensive experience and relevant international work, researchers identified knowledge gaps that hinder effective management and proposed research directions to fill those gaps. They stress that successful outcomes require a solid base of ecological data, sound policy frameworks for cat ownership and management, an understanding of how humans and cats interact in different settings, and, crucially, a stable social environment that supports responsible interventions and ongoing oversight.
New Zealand has a notable initiative in Predator Free New Zealand, an independent charity established in 2013 with the aim of eliminating invasive predators by 2050. The group emphasizes that protecting the natural environment is essential to the country’s future welfare and biodiversity.
In Spain, scientific personnel from several institutions, including the Council for Scientific Research, have argued that current animal welfare laws should not shield stray cats if their maintenance endangers biodiversity. They note that domestic cats have contributed to the decline of birds, mammals, and reptiles over long periods and are often described as highly damaging invasive predators.
The discussion underscores the need for balanced, evidence-based policies that respect animal welfare while safeguarding native ecosystems. Ongoing research, careful monitoring, and thoughtful community engagement are presented as vital components of any long-term strategy to manage cat populations and mitigate environmental impacts.
Note: The study references broader ecological considerations and calls for careful, licensed, and ethically grounded interventions in cat management to ensure benefits to wildlife, human health, and animal welfare are harmonized across landscapes and cultures.