Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on October 25, 2012 at 6:36pm

Thank you Sentient. Great discussion. I've meet some die-hard birders who just detest cats. I happen to love cats. MY kitty was only an indoor cat and was neutered.

I am looking at the article now.

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on October 25, 2012 at 9:10pm

Glad you liked it Steph.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on November 2, 2012 at 5:15pm

Feral cats kill 480 million birds in US every year - Responsible fo...

More than 30 bird species have been wiped out
SOME OF THE MANY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT INCLUDE:

• Feral cats are invasive and pose a threat to native fauna and public health.
• Three separate studies showed that most feral cats (62 to 80 per cent) carry the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis - a condition of special concern to pregnant women.
• Cats are responsible for the extinction of at least 33 species of birds.
• Feral cats kill an estimated 480 million birds in the US each year. 
• Feeding feral cats encourages them to congregate which encourages the chances of diseases being transmitted.
• The supplemental feeding of feral cats should be prohibited.
• Cats will kill wildlife no matter how well they are fed.

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 2, 2012 at 5:42pm

http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=429

I love cats Joan - Have you heard of Alley Cat Allies?

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 2, 2012 at 5:43pm

http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=431

Well I cannot post the entire website here - but debunks most of what you just posted.

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 2, 2012 at 5:45pm

Cats & the Environment Resource Center

Cats have lived outdoors for more than 10,000 years—they are a natural part of the landscape. Today, they live healthy lives outdoors and play important roles in the ecosystem—as they did thousands of years ago and as all domestic cats are biologically adapted to do. What has changed in that time is how people have re-shaped the environment to suit our needs, at a great cost to the other species that share our ecosystem.

The tools in this center will help you advocate on behalf of cats and understand the implications behind calls for cats to be “removed” from the environment—and killed.

http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=324

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on November 2, 2012 at 9:23pm

Very good site Steph, I am glad you are able to demonstrate that my article misleads and overstates. My problem as with many gardeners, we love our bird population and enjoy cats coming for visits and of course it becomes clear that feeding stations for birds became fine dining for cats. Feathers all over the place. So I started building fences and shelters where the cats can't get birds. Occasionally, a cat gets a bird, but most it is now a spectator sport for cats and I can enjoy all the company. 

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 2, 2012 at 10:14pm

Hello Joan!
We are good - not upset or anything. Sentient found the page I was trying to link before. It's a good page to visit.
I happen to be someone who likes animals - in this case - I love the birds and the cats.

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on November 2, 2012 at 10:09pm

Maybe this page?

I think it's good to learn these things.  Then I know what to think when reading about it, or when talking to people.  It's like deciding who is right in politics.

My critters all pretty much get along - dogs, cat, chickens.  Except one of the dogs has killed a chicken.  The chickens are bigger than the cat, so she doesn't bother them.  But raccoons do.  

I did have a koy pond.  Which brought herons to the yard.  I don't know whether it was the herons or the raccoons that ate the koi.

Stream of consciousness.  Tired.  Sorry. 

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 2, 2012 at 10:12pm

Thank you Sentient - I was trying to find that page. Appreciate it very much!

Permalink Reply by Jimmy McCann on November 8, 2012 at 1:12pm

Hi

As a birder and a cat owner I have mixed views on this subject, however I would say that it is humans that are the greatest cause of birds becoming extinct or endangered. Removal of habitat, disturbance of breeding birds, farming practices that destroy ecosystems and bad pet owners all contribute to the decline of bird species. The introduction of new/ alien species such as the North American Grey Squirrel into the UK has had a dramatic impact on some bird populations and has driven the indigenous Red Squirrel to near extinction. So in answer to the question is, yes they are part of a bigger problem.