Stopping a Cat-tastrophe: States Must Develop Stricter Management Regimes for Controlling Feral Cat Populations

This Note will explore the feral cat crisis in the United States and offer a set of potential solutions using existing regulatory frameworks and invasive species management regimes. Part I will discuss what invasive species are and how feral cats fit into the wider problem of invasive species. Part II will then provide an overview of the current statutes, rules, and decisions that govern invasive species management in the United States. Part III will provide an overview of the management techniques for several common invasive species in the country, and compare those techniques to how the United States manages feral cat populations. This Part will also aim to discuss reasons why governments treat feral cats differently than other invasive species by exploring political movements and animal rights laws. Finally, Part IV will advocate for a new management regime for feral cats that is better suited to addressing the feral cat crisis using existing laws and regulations. This abstract has been taken from the author's introduction.