Navigating the controversy: Public perspectives on free-roaming cat populations and control strategies in Israel

The debate surrounding the management of free-roaming cat populations is multifaceted, with conflicting views between conservationists and cat advocates. In Israel, which is characterized by densely populated free-roaming cat communities, cat numbers remain high despite extensive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts. Recognizing the importance of public engagement for ensuring success of control campaigns, we aimed to gather public opinion on the free-roaming cat phenomenon and control strategies. Interviews were conducted with 700 randomly selected passersby at central bus and train stations nationwide. A notable fraction (223, 31.9 %) of the participants reported feeding free-roaming cats at least once during the month preceding the survey. Two sub-groups of dedicated feeders were identified: eighty feeders (11.4 %) who reported feeding on a daily basis, and forty-one (5.9 %) 'heavy' feeders who reported feeding more than ten cats. While feeders and non-feeders of free-roaming cats shared similar characteristics, daily feeders were generally older, and fewer were Israeli-born. 54 % of all participants and 45 % of the dedicated feeders considered free-roaming cats as a negative phenomenon. However, feeders typically regarded feeding free-roaming cats as beneficial (75 % strongly agreed with feeding free-roaming cats), while non-feeders exhibited a more ambivalent attitude (30 % disagreed and 35 % strongly agreed with feeding actions). Remarkably, both feeders and non-feeders agreed that the numbers of free-roaming cats should be reduced (77.3 % of all participants). In addition, most participants (62 % of all participants) agreed at least partially with the application of neutering as a cat population management tool, while the vast majority (90 % of all participants) rejected the idea of culling. In conclusion, the general public perceives free-roaming cats negatively, and as a consequence, there is widespread support for the necessity to reduce cat numbers. However, the strong association between abundance of vital resources, such as food provided by feeders, and the cat population dynamics, is not understood or disregarded by both feeder and non-feeders of free-roaming cats. Authorities should therefore consider combining cat control programs with public education campaigns to raise public awareness of this issue.