Uncontrolled stray cat colonies are more than just a social or urban concern—they’re a significant health hazard for domestic and wild felids alike. A recent study published in Animals highlights how these colonies, often lacking proper health surveillance and management, serve as hotspots for the transmission of the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. In Catalonia, Spain, researchers examined 93 cats from various settings—street colonies, shelters, and private households. The results were alarming: 34.5% of cats in street colonies tested positive for the parasite, compared to just one case in a shelter and none among owned cats​. This stark difference underscores the risks posed by unmanaged cat populations. The findings emphasize the need for proactive management strategies, such as capture–sterilization–release programs combined with routine deworming protocols. These measures can help curb the spread of lungworm infections and safeguard not only stray cats but also the broader ecosystems they inhabit.

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