Crawford Heather M, Calver Michael C, Fleming Patricia A
Environmental and Conservation Sciences, College of Science, Health, Engineering, and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
Animals (Basel). 2019 Apr 16;9(4):171. doi: 10.3390/ani9040171.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, in which stray cats are captured, neutered and returned to the environment are advocated as a humane, ethical alternative to euthanasia. We review the TNR literature in light of current debate over whether or not there should be further TNR trials in Australia. We revisit the problems arising from stray cats living in association with human habitation and estimate how many stray cats would have to be processed through a scientifically-guided TNR program to avoid high euthanasia rates. We also identify 10 ethical and welfare challenges that have to be addressed: we consider the quality of life for stray cats, where they would live, whether the TNR process itself is stressful, whether TNR cats are vulnerable to injury, parasites and disease, can be medically treated, stray cats' body condition and diet, and their impacts on people, pet cats, and urban wildlife, especially endemic fauna. We conclude that TNR is unsuitable for Australia in almost all situations because it is unlikely to resolve problems caused by stray cats or meet ethical and welfare challenges. Targeted adoption, early-age desexing, community education initiatives and responsible pet ownership have greater promise to minimize euthanasia, reduce numbers rapidly, and address the identified issues.
诱捕-绝育-放归（TNR）项目主张捕捉流浪猫，对其进行绝育后再放归自然，认为这是一种比安乐死更人道、更符合伦理的做法。鉴于澳大利亚当前关于是否应开展更多TNR试验的争论，我们回顾了TNR相关文献。我们重新审视了流浪猫与人类居住环境共存所产生的问题，并估计通过科学指导的TNR项目需要处理多少只流浪猫，才能避免高安乐死率。我们还确定了10个必须解决的伦理和福利挑战：我们考虑流浪猫的生活质量、它们的生活地点、TNR过程本身是否带来压力、TNR猫是否易受伤害、寄生虫和疾病影响、能否接受医疗治疗、流浪猫的身体状况和饮食，以及它们对人类、宠物猫和城市野生动物（尤其是本地动物群）的影响。我们得出结论，在几乎所有情况下，TNR都不适用于澳大利亚，因为它不太可能解决流浪猫造成的问题，也无法应对伦理和福利挑战。有针对性的收养、早期绝育、社区教育倡议和负责任的宠物饲养方式更有希望将安乐死降至最低、迅速减少流浪猫数量，并解决已确定的问题。
