Finland is the only EU country where cats' age-old right to roam free has recently been questioned. Instead of outdoor bans for cats, many European countries have managed to focus on the effective management of cat populations while respecting the cats.

The single most effective way to prevent feral cat populations is to spay or neuter both stray and free-roaming domestic cats. In many European countries, the state collaborates with local animal welfare organizations in support of successful TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) programs. The cat is trapped, neutered, dewormed/medicated, vaccinated, microchipped, and returned to its community. In Greece and Cyprus, for example, cat colonies have their own designated caretaker approved by the state. The caretaker's duty is to monitor that the cats in the population remain healthy, take them to a veterinarian when necessary, and ensure that the colony stays intact. Separating a cat from its community is prohibited by law.

The EU is in no way moving to ban cats from roaming freely, as cats have been part of our culture for thousands of years. Kissojen Oikeudet ry investigated what local legislation in other EU countries, the UK, and Switzerland says about cats roaming free.