A targeted approach to a trap-neuter-return program for cats was more effective in managing the feral cat population and lowering euthanasia rates in animal shelters, according to a new study.

The study was led by Julie Levy, D.V.M., Ph.D., the Maddie's professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. It found that this targeted approach could help save millions of cats from being euthanized every year in animal shelters across the US.

The two-year study showed that by targeting feral cats in regions that have had high animal-control impounds, the number of cats admitted to shelters and euthanized dropped significantly. Levy said, “We investigated whether we ever could neuter enough cats to slow their intake into animal control.” She added, “Neutering a few cats here and there wasn't making a big impact, so we wanted to pick a focused area and throw all our resources into it.”

For the study, the researchers looked at Alachua County near the University campus. The county includes a mobile home park, homeless shelters, a veterinary clinic, industrial parks, the Gainesville business district and various residential neighborhoods. During the course of the study, 2,366 feral and stray community cats were trapped and neutered. They made up around 54% of the feral cats in the targeted area. The researchers then found that cat intakes at Animal Control fell 70% to four cats per 1,000 residents by the end of the study. Euthanasia rates fell 95% to less than one per 1,000. The non-targeted area of the county, meanwhile, saw just a 13% decline in cat intakes to 14 cats per 1,000 residents and a 30% decline in euthanasia to seven cats.

Levy said, “The figures were incredible as were the adoptions. Adoption wasn't part of the original plan, but it happened organically as residents offered to take in kittens and the friendlier adults.”