Feral and Free
Roaming Cats and Wildlife
Client
Center > Wild Life >Cats & Wild
Life |
Cats are estimated to kill
hundreds of millions of birds and more than a billion small
mammals nationwide each year. Cats are not discriminate hunters
and kill plentiful as well as rare and endangered species.
Domestic cats are efficient, non-native hunters and are contributing
to the decline of bird populations. They have advantages
over native predators, they have a dependable source of food
and do not have to rely on hunting to stay alive as wild
predators do.
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| The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits
the hunting, taking, capturing, or killing or any migratory bird.
Owners of free-roaming cats are allowing their pets to kill the
very birds protected by this law. Many owners think that if their
cat is well fed it will not hunt. This sadly is not true. Many
owners think that by placing a bell on the cats collar will prevent
their cat from killing wildlife, but cats will learn to silently
stalk prey and the bell may ring too late. Bells offer no protection
for nestlings, fledglings or infant mammals. Most cat attack
birds and mammals die due to the bacteria cats carry in their
mouth. The smallest puncture can cause severe damage and even
if treatment is started immediately, only around 20% of these
patients live. |
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The only way to prevent
domestic cat predation on wildlife is for owners to keep their
cats indoors! |
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Cats not only
pose a risk to wildlife, but wildlife can pose a risk to cats.
Outdoor cats are at risk of contracting rabies and other diseases. |
