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 Cats
are estimated to kill hundreds of
millions of birds nationwide each
year! More than 40 million domestically owned cats are
allowed to roam free outside and kill birds and other wildlife. In
addition an estimated 60 to 100 million homeless cats roam our cities,
suburbs, farmlands and natural areas. The scientific community is
increasingly concerned about cat predation.
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Cats
are not a natural part of our ecosystem |
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The domestic
cat is a descendant of the wild cat of Africa and southwestern Asia.
They were domesticated in Egypt 4,000 years ago and introduced to
Europe 2,000 years ago. Cats were introduced to North
America by the Europeans and brought in large numbers in the
nineteenth century in an attempt to control the rodent population.
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Cats Compete With Native
Predators
Many assume that a cat can
provide a benefit by killing certain animals such as field mice, but these
native small mammals are important to maintaining a biological diverse ecosystem.
For example, mice are an important food source for birds such as Great
Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels. Owned cats have
a large advantage over native predators because they are afforded
protection from disease, predation, competition and starvation, factors
which control native predators such as owls, bobcats and foxes. Cats
are also prolific breeders and female cats can have up to three litters
with four to six kittens per year. |
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Well-fed Cats Do Kill Birds |
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The hunting instinct of
cats is independent of the urge to eat. In a study, six cats
were presented with a live rat while they were eating their favorite
food. All six cats stopped eating, killed the rat and then
resumed eating their food.
Putting a bell on a cats
collar does not prevent it from killing birds. Birds do not
necessarily associate the sound of a bell with danger plus cats can
learn to silently stalk their prey. Even if the bell rings it
may ring too late and bells offer no protection to helpless
nestlings and fledglings.
Birds that seem to
escape a cat often do not get away unscathed. Wildlife
rehabilitation centers report that most small animals injured by
cats die. Even if treatment is administered immediately, only
about 20 percent of the animals survive.
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This information has been provided by
the American Bird Conservancy, Cats Indoors! The Campaign
for Safer Birds and Cats. Web site www.abcbirds.org |
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