As another cat person and bird person, I have had this same dilemma.
I also have two friends who have converted their cats from outdoor
cats to only-indoor cats. It takes a while and is worth the trouble
in the long run. Once the cat learns that it isn't going outside
anymore they adapt. I also think it helps to be at least a 2-cat
household as they can keep one another company and probably do so
more than if they went outside. You need to have patience during the
transition.

I just lost one of my cats after 17 years of love and friendship. In
her early days in So. California she caught lots of lizards but for
the last 6 or so years of her life did not go outside, except on the
patio to sit in the sun. Years ago I also had a Siamese who caught a
lot of gophers. I experienced only two birds (that I know of). If I
knew tnem what I know now, I probably wouldn't have let them out as
much as I did then.

However, none of my pets has ever been allowed total freedom to go
outdoors. I only let them out when I was home, i.e, when I was at
work they were in and they were kept in at night. Now, though, I
still have a 12-year old male who is deaf and he has never been a
hunter. I also have a new 3-year rescued female who has never been
outside.

I guess what I'm saying is that I love cats, but I also love birds.
You have to make some compromises somewhere. If you let the cat out
and especially freedom to go out all the time, they will catch birds.
If you don't want to totally confine them to the house then supervise
or minimize their outside visits.

I can also tell from the messages those who are not pet lovers...some
of the remarks have been downright mean. I agree we need to do all
that we can to minimize cats getting birds. That should start with
education of the owners and a NON-BREEDING POLICY for most pets.

Too many cats and kittens (and puppies and babies even) are born
irresponsibly. We all could keep our pets in and be responsible pet
owners -- but there are so many JERKS out there who don't care. When
they don't want the animal, they just dump it somewhere,,,,or
especially in the case of apartment dwellers, they move and leave the
pet to fend for itself. There are too many feral cats, too many
abandoned pets, too many uncaring people in the world. Can't we work
in a positive way to educate people to respect wildlife and to be
responsible for their pets - this means NEUTER and SPAY your animals.
I truly believe that when you take an animal as a pet you are
responsible for it for the rest of it's natural life. The cat, the
dog, the bird -- they all have a right to life. Their lives are as
important to them as ours is to us.

One final opinion -- we talk so much about the "native" species. How
many of us are native species to this area or to this continent.

Karen Juenemann at SMTPGATE-ZGI