Abstract: Domestic cats, originally from the Near East, have proliferated globally alongside human migration, establishing substantial populations of free-ranging cats. These feline populations have profound ecological ramifications for both island and continental ecosystems, encompassing direct predation, fear-mediated indirect predation, competition for resources with predators at the same trophic level, disease transmission, and genetic infiltration. Gaining a thorough understanding of the fundamental biology of free-ranging cats is essential for mitigating these impacts, including their population dynamics, reproductive behaviors, and adaptive strategies. While trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a widely adopted management strategy for free-ranging cats, its necessity and effectiveness in wildlife conservation remain contentious. This paper delves into scientific research areas such as free-ranging cat population assessment, ecological impact evaluation, disease risk, and the cultural and managerial aspects of cats. We also present specific recommendations regarding pet registration, breeding regulations, animal welfare, and shelter policies. We hope that these suggestions will provide scientific evidence and practical guidance for effective free-ranging cat management and the conservation of wildlife in the future.

Key words: Free ranging cat, Ecological effect, Wildlife, Trap-neuter-return (TNR), Animal conservation

摘要： 作为一个起源于近东地区的物种，家猫 (Felis catus) 随着人类的脚步扩散到世界各地，并形成了数量庞大的流浪猫种群。流浪猫对岛屿及大陆生态系统产生了深远的生态影响，包括直接捕食、恐惧介导的间接捕食、资源竞争、疾病传播及基因渗透等。深入理解流浪猫的基础生物学特性，如种群、繁殖和行为适应策略，对于评估和缓解这些影响至关重要。尽管捕捉-绝育-放归 (trap-neuter-release, TNR) 是一种广泛采纳的流浪猫管理方法，但从野生动物保护的角度考虑，其必要性和有效性存在争议。最后，本文就流浪猫种群评估、生态影响评价、传染病调查、猫文化及管理等基础研究，以及宠物登记、宠物繁育、动物福利和动物收容等流浪猫管控措施，提出了相关建议，期望这些建议能为流浪猫的有效管理和野生动物保护工作提供科学参考和实践指导。

关键词: 流浪猫, 生态影响, 野生动物, 捕捉-绝育-放归, 动物保护