Ethical question of the month — June 2015

[摘要] Feral cats are reported to kill large numbers of song birds and other wildlife and thus disrupt ecosystems wherever they exist. In addition, feral cats are a source of infectious disease for domestic cats and a reservoir of zoonotic disease for people. Elected officials and policy makers know that killing cats is unpopular with a large proportion of their constituents. Trap, neuter, and release (TNR) programs are being promoted as a more humane method of limiting or eliminating feral cat populations. To date, such programs are reported to reduce or stabilize feral cat populations but not to eradicate them. How does one balance the welfare of wild birds, rodents, and the native predators that depend on these species with the welfare of feral cats? Can one compare the properly performed euthanasia of a feral cat to the comparatively painful death cats often impose on their prey?

[学科分类] 兽医学