5 Year Summary

A Management Program and Study of the Population Characteristics and Dynamics of Feral Cats on the Texas A&M University Campus.

The goal of the AFCAT program has always been to manage the feral cat population through a trap-test-vaccinate-alter-return-monitor (TTVARM) program. The first 18 months or so was the most active time, with the majority of cats being feral. In years 2 and 3, an increasing number of cats on campus were kittens or tame adults, with relatively few new feral cats caught. In year 3, trapping frequency on campus was reduced to every 2 or 3 months as part of the ongoing maintenance of the campus colonies.

The program has been considered a success with fewer cats trapped or found, a decrease in complaints related to cats on campus and a positive view of the program in general. The following table and graph show the figures for total cats and kittens on campus, including both feral and tame animals.

AFCAT 5 Year Summary (August 1998 - August 2003)

Coat Length

Value	Frequency	Percent
DLH	20	9
DMH	27	12
DSH	179	79
Total	226	100

Gender

Value	Frequency	Percent
Female	114	50
Male	112	49
Total	226	100

Estimated Ages

Value	Frequency	Percent
Under 3 months	43	19
3 - 6 months	31	14
6 months - 1 year	24	11
1 - 3 years	72	31
Over 3 years	56	25
Total	226	100

There were 8 cats picked up and adopted directly from campus without testing. There was 1 kitten found dead on campus. There was 1 cat euthanized for a bite incident without testing. One cat tested positive for both FIV and FeLV.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV)

Value	Frequency	Percent
Negative	204	94
Positive	12	6
Total	226	100

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Value	Frequency	Percent
Negative	203	94
Positive	13	6
Total	226	100

What Happened to the Cats?

Value	Frequency	Percent
Adopted	82	36
Euthanized/Died	38	17
Returned to Campus	105	46
Returned to Owner	1	0.4
Total	226	100