Like many other volunteers, Brooklyn resident Hailee got involved with feral cat care by accident. After seeing cats in need around her neighborhood, she adopted some, found veterinary resources for others and joined a community of cat-savvy neighbors.

Throughout New York City a network of volunteers and professionals are working to compassionately reduce feral cat populations. “In 2003, only 25% of animals who came into the shelters got out alive… now what the industry calls the live release rate has been consistently over 90% for the past few years,” says Kathleen O’Malley, director of community cat education for the non-profit organization Bideawee.

Armed with humane traps, spay and neuter procedures, cat food and warm shelters, cat lovers have helped lower numbers of feral cats while keeping them safe at the same time.

Join Scienceline reporter Tatum McConnell as she learns more about managing feral cats in New York City.

You can listen to this episode of the Scienceline podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.

Music:

Hardboiled by Kevin MacLeod | Filmmusic.io Standard License

Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod | Filmmusic.io Standard License

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod | Filmmusic.io Standard License

Sound effects:

Footsteps in Street Woman by Stevious42 | CC BY 3.0

Cat Meow2 by steffcaffrey | CC0 1.0

Typing on a keyboard by SamsterBirdies | CC0 1.0

Cat Meow3 by steffcaffrey | CC0 1.0