A Road Map for Reducing Unintended Ecological Consequences: Using Critical Habitat Mapping to Aid in Management of TNR Colonies

The New Jersey Feral Cat-Wildlife Coalition was borne out of adversaries who took time to explore commonalities across cultural divides. The discord started via a “winner takes all” approach to advocacy. Animal welfare advocates insisted Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) was the correct tool to be used everywhere; whereas wildlife advocates had a blanket opposition to its use. The solution came through a model framework where animal welfare, public health and wildlife officials and advocates met to craft a pilot program to achieve the twin goals of humanely reducing the population of feral cats and protecting rare, cat-vulnerable wildlife species. Our coalition has met semi-monthly for three years, working on a consensus basis to craft and begin implementation of a pilot municipal ordinance and technical manual. Through the use of computerized rare wildlife mapping, the Burlington County Feral Cat Initiative (BCCI) staff determine if a TNR colony seeking municipal registration falls within an area deemed sensitive for wildlife. If the process leads to a determination of concern, then a series of iterative dialogues occur between the BCCI and the state endangered species program to determine the best course of action. For the first time in the nation, TNR colonies are being reviewed over broad spatial scales for potential impacts to wildlife. BCCI and the state endangered species program are collecting data which will allow for adaptive management. The New Jersey model consensus framework and pilot program should be considered by any agencies wrestling with this divisive and important issue.