Birds Are Singing, Flowers Are Blooming — So Keep Your Cat Inside!
What kills about 1 billion birds per year, pollutes natural fresh water supply, and destroys native plants while still being stinkin’ adorable? That’s right, cats.
According to a study by the Smithsonian Conservation Institute, feral and outdoor cats are one of the leading causes of native bird species death as well as general environmental destruction. Domestic cats, most of them ferals and many outdoor-cats — let out from owners under the misguided assumption of cat angst — contribute to a large scale of the damage incurred to Brooklyn’s natural spots, which are already meager at best.
A common opposing view to this, is that cats are “natural predators” and only doing what is natural to them. Here are some #CatFacts for you:
- The common house cat is not native to North America nor is it a “natural” animal. House cats were domesticated around 2000 BC by the Egyptians and were selectively bred to be unrelenting in their destruction of animals smaller than them.
- No natural predator species would ever be as wide-spread as the common house cat in an environment as cats are in NYC and other feral hotspots. This brings about an inbalance of predator to prey species.
- Cats have no natural predators in NYC so their numbers only increase while native bird and mammal species decrease.
- Cat urine is extremely damaging to native plant life and as well can damamge fresh water supplys, poisoning fish, waterfowl, etc.
- The selective breeding of cats for their unrelenting hunting behaviors, leads to death of native animals that far exceeds what cats might actually eat and the appearance of a cat “playing with its prey.”
- What can you do? First and most importantly, NEVER allow your cat to be outdoors. Even if you feel your cat does not kill wildlife, they most likely do. In fact, some research suggests that house cats that are let out to roam may cause even more destruction as they are not triggered by hunger as much as an “empty hunters reflex” so to say. Also. Please encourage your friends, family and neighbors to never let their cats be outside!
In coming weeks, NYC will be a “preschool” for baby birds and mammals, all trying their best to adjust to city livin’ and staying alive. It is especially crucial that cats be kept in during the month of May when baby animals are at their most vulnerable. Should you find a bird that was attacked by a cat that is still alive, please contact the people at Sean Casey Animal Rescue or at the Wild Bird Fund.
A common thought is that cats kept indoors are bored and not experiencing a life as dynamically as they seemingly should be. Cats can be kept perfectly happy indoors with a variety of toys, natural grasses, catnip, treats and most of all, your attention! Here is what your cat gets to avoid if he or she is kept inside:- Getting fatally hit by cars, bikes, motorcycles and scooters.
- Getting attacked by dogs, other cats, raccoons, and even rats.
- Exposure to a host of incurable diseases.
- Fleas and ticks (which can spread to you, too!).
- Poisoning from anti-freeze and other fatal chemicals.
For the good of your cat, wildlife, and to ensure all of our future generations get to enjoy the beautiful flowers, song birds and lakes, please keep your cat inside! A healthy environment requires the support of everyone and can be as simple as keeping your cat indoors! It’s easy to ignore and take for granted that what natural life we have around us is here to stay, but few might realize how much has dwindled and continues to disappear with each passing year.
Do your part, and keep your cats inside. Your cat will thank you too!