Evaluating the Effects of Managed Free-Roaming Cat Populations on Prey Through Stable Isotope Analysis: A Pilot Study from British Columbia, Canada

Another feature on research our lab has supported with analysis is this one evaluating the effects of managed free roaming cat populations on prey through stable isotope analysis. The research was conducted under our previous trading name, Sercon Analytical.

Taking place in British Columbia, the study can be summarised as follows:

“Free-roaming domestic cats can affect biodiversity through their consumption of wild prey, creating challenges for both wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, which involve sterilizing and returning cats to their colonies, are increasingly used as a management approach and are often combined with regular food provisioning. However, it is uncertain whether these measures reduce reliance on prey in the diet. In this study, we investigated the diets of 122 cats on a rural property in Canada before and after the implementation of a TNR program with food provisioning and during the concurrent cessation of nearby mink-farming operations. By analyzing chemical markers in cat fur, we compared cats that lived indoors, cats before TNR, and cats after TNR with regular feeding. Before TNR, cats showed clear signs of consuming wild prey, while after TNR and food provisioning their diets shifted to resemble those of indoor cats, relying mostly on commercial food. These findings are consistent with a reduced dependence on wildlife and raw mink feed under the combined influence of TNR with food provisioning and the closure of mink operations. Our findings highlight the value of this management strategy for reducing ecological impacts of free-roaming cats while supporting humane population control.”

Our involvement started when dried samples were cut into smaller pieces (~1–3 mm), put into Eppendorf Tubes^® (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany), and shipped to Sercon Analytical in Crewe (Cheshire, UK) for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S EA-IRMS analyses using a Sercon 20-20 IRMS.

By: Valentina Martinoia, Renee Ferguson, Peter J. Wolf, Mario Carić, Mario Novak, Shelly Roche

You can see the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/21/3204

For further information on our isotope analyses which can support a wide range of research, please email us.