Exploring the Perceptions of Local Citizens towards the Hangzhou Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program and its Outcomes

This paper highlights the issue of a large number of stray cats in China and emphasizes the need for proper intervention to prevent further problems. The Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program policy has been implemented in many countries to control the overpopulation of stray cats, which has proven to be effective. However, in China, the TNR program has only been implemented in a few mega-cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and others. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perspectives of local citizens on the Hangzhou TNR program, including its necessity and results. To achieve this, surveys and qualitative interviews were conducted to capture the viewpoints of both supporters and opponents of the program. The research collected information from a diverse group of citizens to gain a comprehensive understanding of public attitudes towards the TNR program for the stray cat community. Surveys are particularly valuable in providing insights into public perceptions and support for the program. They can reveal people's knowledge and experiences with stray cats, their assessment of the effectiveness of the TNR program, their level of support for the program, and their recommendations for improving it. Interviews were also conducted with local animal protection non-governmental organizations (NGOs), hospital directors, and relevant businesspersons to gain insight into their knowledge of the TNR program. Additionally, a survey was conducted to gather data on local citizens' perceptions and attitudes toward stray cats and the TNR program. The collected data were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the TNR program in reducing the number of stray cats in Hangzhou, China, while considering and improving the current dilemma.