04-29-2004, 03:47 AM
Campaign Designed to Benefit Cats and Wildlife
Cats are the most popular pet in the United States, but if left to roam on their own, they can be efficient predators of songbirds and other protected animals.
That's why the American Bird Conservancy initiated Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats, to encourage cat owners to keep free-roaming felines indoors due to the significant risk they pose to birds and other wildlife.
Records indicate free-roaming cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States each year. "Unleashed cats pose a threat to the existence of some species, while significantly affecting the population of others," said Patrick Isakson, nongame biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Even though cats are thought of as pets, they are first and foremost predators by nature. "Even if they are fed before they are let out of the house, their natural instincts take over and they actively seek out prey," Isakson said.
While cats also look for small mammals, they pose a great threat to North Dakota songbirds, especially in spring. "Birds returning from their wintering grounds are ready to nest," Isakson added. "Birds, hatchlings and their eggs are especially vulnerable to predators this time of the year."
Keeping cats indoors is a benefit to the pets themselves. "It is not meant to be an anti-cat campaign," Isakson mentioned. "Keeping cats indoors prolongs their years."
Free-roaming cats often have their lives cut short by passing cars, disease, parasites and poison. "People need to understand the project is not only intended to benefit birds and wildlife, but for the cat's safety too," Isakson said.
National Keep Your Cat Indoors Day is slated for May 8. More information can be found on the ABC website at abcbirds.org/cats.
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Cats are the most popular pet in the United States, but if left to roam on their own, they can be efficient predators of songbirds and other protected animals.
That's why the American Bird Conservancy initiated Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats, to encourage cat owners to keep free-roaming felines indoors due to the significant risk they pose to birds and other wildlife.
Records indicate free-roaming cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States each year. "Unleashed cats pose a threat to the existence of some species, while significantly affecting the population of others," said Patrick Isakson, nongame biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Even though cats are thought of as pets, they are first and foremost predators by nature. "Even if they are fed before they are let out of the house, their natural instincts take over and they actively seek out prey," Isakson said.
While cats also look for small mammals, they pose a great threat to North Dakota songbirds, especially in spring. "Birds returning from their wintering grounds are ready to nest," Isakson added. "Birds, hatchlings and their eggs are especially vulnerable to predators this time of the year."
Keeping cats indoors is a benefit to the pets themselves. "It is not meant to be an anti-cat campaign," Isakson mentioned. "Keeping cats indoors prolongs their years."
Free-roaming cats often have their lives cut short by passing cars, disease, parasites and poison. "People need to understand the project is not only intended to benefit birds and wildlife, but for the cat's safety too," Isakson said.
National Keep Your Cat Indoors Day is slated for May 8. More information can be found on the ABC website at abcbirds.org/cats.
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