How can you make a difference in your community by simply keeping your cat indoors?
As fall approaches the rescue will sadly be flooded with countless cases of cat attacked birds. Many will say "he's just doing what cats naturally do" or "it's just nature" however we graciously request reading this article and reconsidering your stance on the subject.
Not only is free roaming cats a danger to our local wildlife but also a danger to the cats themselves. Here are some facts to support our argument:
Fact #1 - Cats are contributing to extinctions.
Cats have contributed to the extinction of over 23 different species of birds in North America. A cat death is also often a long drawn out torment. Cats tease and play with their pray pulling out feathers and their saliva is toxic to birds. Rarely does a bird survive a cat attack.
Fact #2 - Cats are an invasive species.
It may be surprising to people but domestic cats are an invasive, non-native species in Canada. They have a significant impact on populations of migratory birds, reptiles and small mammals, and are considered on of the world's 100 most invasive species. Predation is the most direct way in which domestic cats influence wildlife.
Fact #3 - Your cat is also in danger!
Not only are free roaming cats a danger to our wildlife but they all to often end up the victims themselves. Between car accidents and other larger predators there are a number of missing felines reported each year. There are even reports of neighbours becoming fed up with cats using their yard as a litter box and taking matters into their own hands by capturing and relocating the cat. Even if you don't care about the birds take into account the safety and well being of your fur baby.
Fact #4 - It's illegal
The city has even recognized the havoc that cats have taken on the community and passed a bylaw prohibiting residents from allowing their cats to free roam. Although it is not a well enforced bylaw and the truth is many people are unaware this bylaw even exists. But you do now!
Will you reconsider your opinion?
Now that you are more well informed what do you think? Have we changed your mind? We understand most people have just always had outdoor cats and there has never been anything wrong with that so why now? We as people have evolved over the years, understanding our environment and how we impact it and this is just an example of one thing we can do within our culture to be better than we were yesterday.
Comments