Impacts of Feral Cats and Dogs in Communities
Feral cats and dogs across the United States can have negative impacts in communities because of overpopulation and the spread of diseases among them as well as other animals in the wild. Issues like pet abandonment, costs of treatments, and funding for shelters and trap and release programs are all factors that can affect feral cats’ and dogs’ impact in communities. Although the total population of feral cats and dogs can be a difficult issue to solve, there are some ways that communities attempt to alleviate the negative impacts. Ways that communities and veterinary professionals have gotten involved in the issue of feral cat and dog populations are implementing capture and spay/neuter and release programs, along with giving other medical attention like vaccinations while they are captured. They also have advocated for the capture and adoption of feral cats and dogs. Although there are negative impacts in communities from feral cats and dogs, there are solutions available to help alleviate these issues.
BIOL 499, Capstone
Paul Allee
L204
2:30 – 3:00 PM