These are a few snippets from the web, don't be kidded that you have
innocent cats in the neighborhood.


Americans keep an estimated 60 million cats as pets. Let's say each cat
kills only one bird a year. That would mean that cats kill over 60 million
birds (minimum) each year - more wildlife than any oil spill.

Cats are a serious threat to fledglings, birds roosting at night and birds
on a nest. Research shows that de-clawing cats and bell collars do not
prevent them from killing birds and other small animals. For healthy cats
and wild birds, cats should not be allowed to roam free.

Cats cause the deaths of more songbirds than any other animal. wild, or
feral, cats generally hunt only at night. Their prey is usually mice and
other rodents, so domesticated cats do the most damage to songbird
populations. It is a myth that a well-fed cat will not kill birds or small
mammals. In fact, they will still kill their prey simply by instinct. A
study conducted in San Diego County indicated that cats that were allowed to
roam freely may have led to the local extinction of several native birds
such as the roadrunner, cactus wren and California quail. A U.S. and Great
Britain study showed that an outdoor cat can kill up to 1,000 animal per
year. Since discouraging a cat from chasing or killing birds is nearly
impossible, try some of these tips:

Cats are not native to North America, therefore, our native wildlife did not
evolve good defenses against this numerous, efficient predator. The domestic
cat, Felis catus, is a descendant of the European and African wild cat Felis
silvestris. Domesticated in Egypt around 2,000 BC, cats were introduced to
North America when European settlers arrived. Cats may be the most
widespread terrestrial carnivore on earth. There are over 73 million pet
cats in the U.S., making cats the most popular pet in the country. There may
be an additional 60 - 100 million stray and feral cats in the U.S.
Cats have huge advantages over native predators. Being well-fed, they are
not vulnerable to changes in prey populations. In addition, pet cats are
more protected from diseases, predation, competition, and
starvation--factors that control native predators.
Unaltered cats are prolific breeders. In states with warm climates, a female
cat can have up to three litters per year, with four to eight kittens per
litter. Unlike many native predators, cats are not strictly territorial,
keeping members of their own species out of a given area. As a result, cats
can exist at much higher densities and may out-compete native predators for
food.
Unvaccinated free-roaming cats can spread deadly diseases to wild cats and
other wildlife, such as rabies, feline leukemia and distemper. Cats are the
most common carriers of rabies among domestic animals.
What do cats kill?

Extensive studies of domestic cats show that approximately 60 to 70 percent
of cats' prey are small mammals, 20 to 30 percent are birds, and the
remainder are amphibians, reptiles, and insects. However, the number and
type of animals killed by cats varies, depending on the individual cat, time
of year, and availability of prey. Birds compose over 50 percent of cats'
prey on seabird islands. Rural cats take more prey than suburban or urban
cats. Birds that nest or feed on the ground are the most susceptible to cat
predation.

Cats on islands and habitat islands: Some island bird populations evolved in
the absence of mammalian predators, and have no defenses against them. The
introduction of domestic cats to an island can result in the elimination of
entire bird populations. Cats are responsible for the extinction of at least
eight island bird species. Cats can also have significant impacts on local
wildlife populations, especially in habitat "islands" such as suburban and
urban parks, wildlife refuges, and other habitats that are surrounded by
human development.

Well-fed cats and cats with bells: Even well-fed cats kill birds and other
wildlife. A cat's hunting instinct is independent of the urge to eat.
Studies show that bells on collars are not effective in preventing cats from
killing animals. Birds do not necessarily associate the sound of a bell with
danger, and cats with bells can learn to silently stalk their prey. Even if
the bell rings, it offers no protection to young animals.

What about animals that escape?: Small animals injured by cats die unless
they are taken to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Cats carry bacteria
and viruses in their mouths and on their claws, some of which can infect a
small animal quickly. An animal may also die from internal hemorrhaging or
injury to vital organs caused by a cat attack.



Regards

Martyn

Martyn Stewart
Bird and Animal Sounds Digitally Recorded at:
http://www.naturesound.org
N47.65543 W121.98428
Redmond. Washington. USA
Make every Garden a wildlife Habitat!

When the animals come to us,
Asking for our help,
Will we know what they are saying?

When the plants speak to us
In their delicate, beautiful language,
Will we be able to answer them?

When the planet herself
Sings to us in our dreams,
Will we be able to wake ourselves, and act?

-Gary Lawless
-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Teresa
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 12:31 AM
To: tweeters
Subject: Re: crow hunting season

Hi,
Many cats are not bird killers, especially when they are older.
If I include my cats with my neighbor's, it totals 15 in a 10 acre area. Two
of the cats are bird killers, mine I keep inside unless I'm watching. The
neighbor's cat is young and I hope he grows out of it soon?
Cats should be kept at home fenced in away from bird feeder access and kept
in the house in the day if bird hunters.
I feed crows, they don't do much but wait for their food.
I don't think they are killing baby birds because they are well fed mainly
with leftover dog and cat food.
Of course, here I go with my thing.
Housing developments are the biggest threat to birds.
I think I need to make up a bumper sticker stating something similar to
this, any ideas?
Teresa
Woodinville