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While some wildlife groups may use media attention to speculate that cats are causing species loss, leading biologists, climate scientists, and environmental watchdogs all agree: endangered species’ fight for survival rests in our own hands. https://www.worldanimalfoundation.co...yCwkYr0Hs6_ZSM
While some wildlife groups may use media attention to speculate that cats are causing species loss, leading biologists, climate scientists, and environmental watchdogs all agree: endangered species’ fight for survival rests in our own hands. https://www.worldanimalfoundation.co...yCwkYr0Hs6_ZSM
As opposed to human population growth and encroachment upon wildlife habitat. As to the feral cat 'problem', I think most everyone would agree the best thing to do is control/reduce the numbers. The difference of opinion would be in how to go about that. Temporarily eradicating (killing) the feral colonies (which does nothing to fix the problem in the long term, or TNR programs which is not only more humane, but more efficient. In some people's minds (like the municipal authorities in my town) it comes down to money. They argue it's just cheaper to round them up & put them to sleep, than to spay/neuter & return. I question that there's all that much saved after everything is taken into account.
As opposed to human population growth and encroachment upon wildlife habitat. As to the feral cat 'problem', I think most everyone would agree the best thing to do is control/reduce the numbers. The difference of opinion would be in how to go about that. Temporarily eradicating (killing) the feral colonies (which does nothing to fix the problem in the long term, or TNR programs which is not only more In some people's minds (like the municipal authorities in my town) it comes down to money. They argue it's just cheaper to round them up & put them to sleep, than to spay/neuter & return. I question that there's all that much saved after everything is taken into account.
Thanks Catdad, I too prefer TNR which as you said is more humane and efficient.
I don't buy the "cats are killing all the songbirds" argument either. The birds' habitats are being destroyed, pesticide use is increasing, and both causing loss of their food sources (seeds and insects).
I would also say that mice, voles, chipmunks, shrews, and other rodents are far easier for cats to catch and kill than *any* bird, so cats are doing us a huge favor by keeping the rodent population under control. Cats eat other things as well, such as insects and lizards.
Anecdotally, based on "presents" that cats have given me, I have received *many, many* field mice, a mole, a couple of voles, a chipmunk, a garden snake, and insects, but no birds. All of these were either from neighbors' cats or barn cats. But one time I did witness a neighbor's cat as he caught a bird (it was a mourning dove).
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