How Feral Cats Can Solve Toronto and Ottawa's Rat Crisis

Innovative TNR Programs Offer a Humane and Effective Solution to Urban Rodent Infestations

Toronto and Ottawa have recently reported an unprecedented surge in rat infestations, driven by relentless construction activities and unusually warm weather. As urban dwellers, we are often confronted with the dual challenge of controlling burgeoning rat populations while managing feral cat colonies. Could there be a way to turn this challenge into an opportunity for a win/win solution?

Traditional methods like extermination and poison, while temporarily effective, often fall short of providing a sustainable solution. I propose a strategic Rat Abatement Program that leverages feral cat management as an effective and humane methodology to control rat populations. This approach not only avoids harmful poisons that could negatively impact pets, birds, wildlife, and humans but also serves as a blueprint for any urban community dealing with rodent infestation.

The Rat Problem

Toronto and Ottawa’s increased construction activities combined with unusually warm weather have disrupted rat habitats, resulting in extended breeding periods, making rodents more visible and problematic for residents. Traditional extermination methods often lead to a phenomenon known as the "vacuum effect," where new rats quickly fill the void left by those exterminated, perpetuating the cycle of infestation.

Various cities have reported the vacuum effect when dealing with rat infestations. For example, New York City has observed that rat populations often rebound quickly after extermination campaigns, necessitating continuous and repeated efforts to control the population. Rodent control experts emphasize the need for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that include habitat modification, sanitation, and exclusion techniques to prevent new rats from moving in. By adding feral cat management to this formula, we can create an environment that is less hospitable to rats, and achieve more sustainable and humane control.

Managed Neutered Cat Colonies provide viable, cost-efficient, humane, eco-friendly rat abatement. Photos by Katherine Mihailova

Proposed Solutions

In Toronto, the municipality’s infrastructure committee recently adopted a motion asking city council to direct staff to craft an “action plan” to reduce rats in the city. This motion, put forward by Coun. Alejandra Bravo and Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, responds to residents’ concerns about a rise in rat sightings in local neighborhoods. Bravo notes that construction projects and warmer weather are driving rats out of their underground habitats and into public view, exacerbating the problem.

Ottawa faces a similar challenge. A study by Orkin Canada found Ottawa to be one of the top 10 cities in Canada for rodent infestations, with the city ranking eighth nationwide. Calls to Ottawa’s 3-1-1 service about rats have more than doubled from 2019 to 2022, highlighting the growing concern among residents. In response, Ottawa is exploring controversial solutions such as ContraPest, a form of rat birth control that induces early menopause in female rats and reduces sperm production in males.

While ContraPest offers a promising alternative to traditional rat poisons, it is important to consider its potential risks to other species. The product must be consumed continuously by rats to be effective, raising concerns about its impact on non-target species that might either directly or indirectly ingest it.  Additionally, the long-term environmental impact of widespread ContraPest use is not fully understood.

The Role of Feral Cats

Feral cats, often viewed as a nuisance, can play a pivotal role in controlling rat populations. Unlike poison, chemical sterilants, and traps, which may provide a temporary fix, feral cats offer a continuous deterrent to rats.

Studies have shown that the mere presence of cats can lead to a significant decrease in rat sightings and activity. This is because rats are highly sensitive to the scent and presence of predators, which triggers their instinct to avoid those areas. Moreover, feral cats can help maintain a balance in the ecosystem by naturally controlling rat populations without the need for harmful poisons or traps. This approach not only addresses the rat problem but also provides a humane solution for managing feral cat populations through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs.

Winston Churchill acknowledges Blackie the Cat, the manager of the HMS Prince of Wales Rat Abatement Program. The UK Navy employed cats to control the rodent population. Rodents could cause significant damage by gnawing through ropes, wood, and electrical wiring. They also posed a health risk by spreading disease. Cats were an effective and natural solution to this problem - and can be again in our cities and towns!

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Programs

The cornerstone of this rat abatement strategy is the implementation of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. TNR involves trapping feral cats, neutering them, and returning them to their original locations. This humane approach not only stabilizes the feral cat population but also leverages their natural predatory instincts to keep rat populations in check.

Benefits of TNR:

1. Population Control: Neutered cats do not reproduce, leading to a gradual decline in the feral cat population through natural attrition.

2. Behavioral Changes: Sterilized cats are less likely to exhibit nuisance behaviors such as fighting and spraying, making them more acceptable to the community.

3. Rat Deterrence: The presence of feral cats deters rats, reducing the need for harmful poisons and traps. The natural predatory behavior of cats creates a hostile environment for rats, discouraging them from settling and breeding.

With adequate resources and community involvement, TNR can significantly reduce rat populations. The presence of feral cats creates a continuous deterrent to rats, as rats tend to avoid areas where they detect feline predators. This natural predatory behavior can lead to a substantial decrease in rat activity and infestations.

Existing TNR Programs in Toronto and Ottawa

Toronto has a well-established TNR program managed by the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition. This program allows Ontarians to access veterinary care for unowned cats, who might otherwise be left to fend for themselves. Since its inception in 2010, the coalition has spayed or neutered over 6,000 cats. However, the fact that Toronto continues to face a significant rat problem highlights the need for broader implementation and support for TNR programs to maximize their effectiveness.

Ottawa, on the other hand, does not currently have a formal TNR program in place. The city has been primarily focused on traditional rat mitigation strategies and is exploring controversial solutions like ContraPest. However, the success of TNR programs in other communities suggests that Ottawa could significantly benefit from adopting a similar approach. Implementing a TNR program could provide a sustainable and humane solution to both feral cat and rat population management, leveraging the natural predatory behavior of cats to deter rats effectively.

Enhancing Toronto's TNR Program to Address the Rat Problem

Despite Toronto Feral Cat Coalition’s efforts, Toronto continues to face a significant rat problem. To better position the TNR program to more effectively address the rat problem, several enhancements can be made:

1. Increased Funding and Resources: Allocating additional funds to expand the TNR program will enable more extensive trapping, neutering, and returning of feral cats. This can increase the number of cats available to deter rat populations.

2. Strategic Placement of Cat Colonies: Identifying and placing feral cat colonies in areas with high rat activity can maximize the impact of the TNR program. Collaboration with local residents and businesses to identify rat hotspots can help in strategically positioning these colonies.

3. Public Education and Engagement: Educating the public about the benefits of TNR and involving them in the process can enhance community support and participation. Community volunteers can assist in trapping and caring for feral cats, making the program more effective.

4. Partnerships with Pest Control Experts: Collaborating with pest control experts to integrate TNR with other rat control measures, such as habitat modification, sanitation, and exclusion techniques can create a comprehensive and effective strategy.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track the impact of the TNR program on rat populations can provide valuable data to refine and improve the strategy over time.

By addressing these areas, Toronto's TNR program can be better positioned to tackle the rat problem effectively. With adequate resources, strategic planning, and community involvement, TNR can serve as a powerful tool in creating a more balanced urban ecosystem.

Putting Cats to Work: A Dual Benefit

Employing feral cats in rodent control not only benefits the community by reducing rat populations but also provides a humane solution for the cats themselves. This approach, often referred to as "working cats" programs, places feral cats in environments where they can thrive while naturally controlling rodent populations.

Implementing TNR in Your Community

To effectively implement TNR in any city, officials should consider the following steps:

1. Community Engagement: Educate residents about the benefits of TNR and involve them in the process. Community volunteers can play a crucial role in trapping and caring for feral cats.

2. Partnerships with Animal Welfare Organizations: Collaborate with local animal shelters and rescue groups to provide the necessary resources and expertise for TNR programs.

3. Legislative Support: Enact policies that support TNR as a humane and effective method for managing both feral cat and rat populations.

Cost Efficiency of TNR Compared to Extermination

One of the significant advantages of TNR over traditional extermination methods is cost efficiency. While the initial investment in TNR programs may seem higher, the long-term benefits and savings are substantial.

Cost Efficiency of TNR:

1. Reduced Recurring Costs: Extermination requires continuous and repeated efforts, leading to recurring costs for poisons, traps, and labor. In contrast, TNR stabilizes the feral cat population, significantly reduces the rodent population, thereby reducing the need for ongoing expenses.

2. Long-Term Savings: By preventing the vacuum effect and stabilizing both feral cat and rat populations, TNR reduces the need for future pest control measures. This leads to long-term savings for municipalities.

3. Community Involvement: TNR programs often involve community volunteers, reducing labor costs. Engaging the community also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, further enhancing the program's effectiveness.

4. Avoidance of Secondary Costs: Traditional extermination methods can have unintended consequences, such as secondary poisoning of pets and wildlife, leading to additional costs for medical treatment and environmental cleanup. TNR avoids these secondary costs by providing a humane and targeted approach.

Focus on Urban Areas

This strategy is primarily focused on urban areas where bird predation by cats is not a major concern. Urban environments typically have lower populations of vulnerable bird species compared to rural or natural areas. Additionally, fewer feral cats result in less predation on birds and other wildlife. By stabilizing and reducing the feral cat population through TNR, the overall impact on urban wildlife is minimized.

Pigeon Control in Urban Environments

In addition to controlling rat populations, feral cats can also help manage pigeon populations in urban areas. Pigeons, often considered pests in cities, can cause significant damage to buildings and create unsanitary conditions with their droppings. The presence of feral cats can deter pigeons from nesting and roosting in certain areas, contributing to a cleaner and more pleasant urban environment. This added benefit further underscores the value of TNR programs in urban pest management.

Conclusion

As Toronto and Ottawa seek solutions to their rat problem, we are all provided an opportunity to consider humane and sustainable strategies. Urban rat management, through feral cat management, offers a viable alternative to traditional extermination methods, providing long-term benefits for both the community and the environment.

By addressing the root causes of rat infestations and leveraging the natural behaviors of feral cats, we can create a healthier, more balanced urban ecosystem. Encouraging community involvement and support for TNR programs can lead to more effective and lasting solutions, fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in our urban environments.

Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.