If you want the practical take-aways from our modeling without all the technical background, check out From computer models to communities: Strategies to better manage free-roaming cat populations. It covers key findings from our research, and the recommendations and guidelines that result.

Our StoryMap covers how different FRC management methods reduce numbers of preventable deaths of cats and kittens. Our model showed that over 10 years, FRC populations managed by high-intensity TNR experienced over 30 times fewer preventable cat deaths than taking no action, while reducing populations in the process.

Since knowing how many cats are in your target population is critical to designing an intervention and knowing if it’s working, we also share strategies to monitor FRC populations in a Counting Cats and created a calculator to help set your goals.

Our newest (2021) peer-reviewed publication, “Guidance for management of free-roaming community cats: a bioeconomic analysis,” models the cost and population impacts of different FRC management strategies. For a summary of the paper’s findings click here (recorded presentation running from 16:28 – 36:10).

Our 2019 publication, “A Long-Term Lens: Cumulative Impacts of Free-Roaming Cat Management Strategy and Intensity on Preventable Cat Mortalities,” looks at the cumulative impact of different management actions on free-roaming kitten and cat mortality over a 10-year period.

And our initial (2014) publication, “Simulating Free-Roaming Cat Population Management Options in Open Demographic Environments,” gives an in-depth look at the population size impacts of TNR, removal, culling, and combination management methods.

One question that motivated this project was whether a temporary contraceptive for cats (specifically GonaCon) could offer advantages over traditional surgical spay/neuter for FRC population management. Results from ACC&D simulations and a subsequent field study suggested that GonaCon is not likely to be a useful FRC management tool with its current efficacy profile. To better quantify necessary improvements, the ACC&D-convened team performed additional simulations, and results are presented in this publication.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACC&D’s computer modeling team simulated the impact that a “gap” in sterilization surgeries would have on different TNR scenarios. Results showed that lost ground need not be as hard to regain as it might seem. Our modeling also revealed how programs can be most successful when resuming TNR. The findings are relevant not only for the global pandemic, but to recovering from any “gaps” in TNR once a program is underway.

To learn more, watch the video, Keep Calm and Carry On: The impact of COVID-19 on TNR and how to get back on track. After you’ve watched the video, dig a little deeper by viewing a panel discussion that includes members of ACC&D’s modeling committee, ACC&D’s Joyce Briggs and wildlife population biologist Dr. John Boone. Watch a recording of the panel discussion here.