Domestic cats that roam
freely outdoors cause devastating effects to the environment.
These invasive species are
not part of the natural ecosystem, and they do not positively contribute to the
environment. This is unlike a native fox that might hunt in the wild, and also
die in the wild feeding other organisms.
The fox depends on hunting to survive, and in turn contributes to the
ecosystem as they live and die. Domestic cats are not a natural part of the food chain. Many
are well fed and hunt without the need to eat their prey. Feral cats, or domestic cats that have
turned wild and have babies that grow up wild, are also a large part of this
problem.
Domestic cats kill millions of birds such as this Red-bellied Woodpecker (photo: Paige Davis)
Domestic cats kill
BILLIONS of wild animals each year in the United States alone. This includes at least 500 million
birds if not more. Cat predation is a huge reason why 1 in 3 American bird
species are declining. Even if a cat catches something and does not kill it,
tiny punctures from cat teeth are often fatal due to the high bacteria in cats'
mouths. Cat caught animals have a high chance of mortality even from small
wounds. In fact, cats are the
number one killer of birds and small mammals in the United States.
Even if not killed outright, puncture wounds may get infected and cause death (photo: Paige Davis)
Many cat owners believe it
is cruel to keep cats indoors. This is not the case however. Cats encounter
numerous dangers when roaming free such as poisons, predators, cars, diseases,
and humans who will capture them on their property. Cats actually live much
longer lives when kept safely indoors.
Just as with dogs, cat
owners are encouraged to take their cats outside on a leash! This is a great way for your cat to
spend time outside safely and controlled.
Your pet will live much longer and healthier if kept indoors and
supervised when outside.
Many native species have
declined and even gone extinct due to cat predation. An easy way you can help is by keeping your kitty indoors
when not on a leash. The fate of
billions of lives depend on how we as humans will deal with this situation.
Submitted by Paige Davis,
World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist
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