Jim: You hit the nail on the head re cats and birds. The terrific mortality of
birds caused by this exotic. Conservative estimates run from 1.5 to 2 million
birds annually. Too bad you didn't mention the diseases they not only transmit
to other cats, but worse yet, the number of diseases transmitted to humans,
especially to young children prone to play in the dirt. Also that cats are more
prone to be rabid than dogs, according to the U.S. Center for Diseases Control.
Over 100 million cats in the U.S. is not the cat's meow by a long shot.

Suggest that people write for booklets published by the American Bird
Conservancy and the National Human Society. The former one is called "Cats
Indoors, The Campaign for Safe Birds and Cats" and the latter is "Facts About
Cat Law". Real eye openers and very informative. Looking at birds is fine, but
being concerned for their welfare is even more important. Now THAT is bird
biology.

Eugene Kridler
Retired Wildlife Biologist
Sequim, Wa.

Jim Brewster wrote:

> Hello Ken:
>
> you wrote:
>
> "Oh, and thank you for not expressing any wish to trap, poison or skin this
> cat you mentioned. Maybe there is hope for you yet."
>
> Trapping is my next move, it is the suggestion of the Humane Society as the
> only way to deal with the cats that are illegally roaming around unleashed,
> and there is a leash law in King County and in most areas of the Puget Sound
> region. The owners of these malicious invaders are in violation of local
> law. I haven't seen an unleashed dog around here for more than a year, why
> should cat owners be special? The cats are not only killers, but they poop
> in neighbors (not the owners) flower beds. I don't wish to live with cat
> turds either. The cats aren't at fault, it is owners who believe that
> because they have a cat they are somehow special and above both the law and
> common neighborly decency. Your remarks may be all that I need to trap the
> dozen or so cats that come through my yard. Thanks for the reminder.
>
> Jim Brewster
> BrewinKent at msn.com
> Kent Washington