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

Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) present a major management challenge for animal welfare and biodiversity conservation. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, which include sterilization and return of cats, are increasingly adopted to manage cat populations, often alongside routine food provisioning. However, their effectiveness in reducing cats’ reliance on wild prey remains contested. In this study, we use stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) of cat fur to investigate dietary patterns before and after TNR implementation in the context of concurrent changes in food availability linked to the closure of nearby mink-farming operations. We analyzed samples from 122 cats in a large-scale TNR initiative on a rural property in British Columbia, Canada. These included indoor cats (control), free-roaming cats prior to TNR (Group 1), a subset of Group 1 re-sampled months after food provisioning began (Run 2), and newly sampled cats that had been fed regularly before trapping (Group 2). Local prey and food sources were also analyzed to provide a comparative isotopic baseline. Our results show clear dietary shifts following TNR. Group 1 cats exhibited high isotopic variability and elevated δ15N and δ34S values, consistent with wild prey consumption. In contrast, post-TNR cats showed significantly lower and more homogeneous values, aligning closely with those of indoor, kibble-fed cats. These changes are consistent with a reduced dietary reliance on wildlife and raw mink feed following the combination of TNR with regular provisioning and the cessation of mink operations. These findings demonstrate that regular food provisioning in TNR-managed colonies, particularly when combined with broader environmental changes, can significantly alter cat diets and potentially reduce their dependence on wild prey.