Ever since cats were first domesticated by human beings, human society has been permeated by feral cats — namely, domesticated cats that do not have owners and avoid human contact. While domesticated cats love humans and enjoy our company, feral cats are defined by how they behave more like wild animals.
In the twentieth century, with the rise of the idea of the welfare state, feral cats were recognized as less of a nuisance and more of a public health menace. As with other invasive species — they kill native wildlife and spread diseases — humans have struggled to find compassionate ways of reducing their population. One popular approach is known as trap-neuter-release (TNR) or catch-and-release, in which feral cats are captured, rendered unable to reproduce, and then sent back out on their way.
