Mama was a free-roaming pregnant cat
A study released Wednesday reports feral cats and their colonies present a growing threat to birds and other native species across the U.S.
The analysis by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln estimates there are 60 million feral cats in the nation.
Wild or free-roaming cats account for $17 billion in damage to bird populations, the report says. The estimated cost per bird is $30, based on statistics from bird watchers who spend 40 cents per bird observed, hunters who spend $216 for bird shot, and bird rehabilitators who spend $800 per bird released.
“As instinctive hunters, feral cats pose a serious threat to native wildlife,” the report authors state. “While the loss of habitat is the primary cause of species extinction, cats are responsible for the extinction of at least 33 species of birds around the world.”
The authors of “Feral Cats and Their Management” include: Aaron M. Hildreth, project technician at the School of Natural Resources; Stephen M. Vantassel, wildlife damage project coordinator, and Scott E. Hygnstrom, vertebrate pest specialist.
More numbers from the report:
- Cats kill an estimated 480 million birds per year, assuming eight birds per feral cat per year.
- Estimates from Wisconsin indicate between 500,000 and 8 million birds are killed by rural cats each year in that state.
- A wildlife rehabilitation facility in California reported that one-third of all birds (36 species) requiring treatment had sustained cat-related injuries.
Proponents of feral cats, the report states, suggest that well-fed cats do not prey on wildlife. Research, however, shows that cats maintain their predatory instincts, no matter how well fed they are.
“The diets of well-fed house cats in Sweden consisted of 15 percent to 90 percent native prey, depending on availability,” the authors wrote.
The American Bird Conservancy said the report illustrated longtime concerns the group has had about feral cats. The ABC said in a statement that the practice of trapping and neutering wild cats was not enough to stave off serious damage to bird and animal populations.
“A humane decision-making process on this issue must also recognize that feral cats live short, miserable lives because of disease, other predators, severe weather and traffic hazards,” said ABC Vice President Daren Schroeder. “Thus their life expectancy is about one third as long as owned cats.”
| ‘Tween’ cats discounted |
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The Seal Beach Animal Care Center is hosting an adoption event with “teenage” cats in mind. The young cats are not quite kittens and not yet adults either. The center also is hosting a 2010 “Cat Inventory Clearance” with reduced adoption fees: $75 for a cat over 6 months of age; Save a cat: Betwixt, between: ‘Teen’ cats for sale |
The University of Nebraska study suggests an integrated pest management program to cull the feral cat population. Some of the control methods include:
- Nonlethal methods include habitat modification, exclusion (fences), frightening devices (sprinklers, dogs), repellents, trapping and live-capture removal and fertility control. These methods are most recommended, the study says, because they are more broadly accepted by the public.
- Lethal methods, such as trapping with euthanasia, kill-trapping and shooting should be considered. These methods, the authors write, provide an immediate reduction in the population and may be necessary when feral cats are over-abundant and causing significant negative impacts.
“We understand this is a difficult and controversial topic, and some will disagree with some of the methods of control,” the authors note. “We are advocates for research-based information, integrated pest management, native wildlife, public health and the right to protect personal property.”
“(We) have presented both nonlethal and lethal options for control to help individuals make informed decisions.”
In Orange County, thousands of free-roaming cats are euthanized each year at animal shelters, including the Orange County Animal Care facility. Advocate groups including the Orange County Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals have offered vouchers to trap, neuter and release stray or feral cats.
“Feral cats are still a major concern and one that will continue to be a top priority for us,” then-interim OCAC Director Ryan Drabek told The Register in January. “We receive feral cats virtually everyday and at this time there is no viable adoption or placement for these animals.”
“The reality is that feral cats are euthanized after their four-day retention period and they make up a large portion of our total euthanasia. We have a very successful foster program that has been able to foster and place many unwanted litters of kittens, but there is still much work to be done to decrease the significant number of cats euthanized each year.”
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….WOOF!
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….MEOW!
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Feral cats impact on birds: $17 billion is a post from: Pet Tales
