Fact: Free-roaming cats contribute substantially to songbird population decline.
Scientific studies over the last decade in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, Arizona, Australia, Great Britain, and some Pacific islands show that domestic cats kill hundreds of millions of songbirds every year-more wildlife killed than in any oil spill. Researchers from the University of Minnesota estimate bird kills by domestic cats to be at 638 million songbirds nationally each year. Studies in Wisconsin indicate that outdoor cats kill 39 million birds a year in that state alone. Along with loss of habitat, pesticide use, environmental contaminants, and window strikes, domestic cats are now one of the chief causes of overall North American songbird decline. There are even documented cases of cats killing endangered species, such as the Western Snowy Plover, the California Gnatcatcher, and the Light-footed Clapper Rail. And on islands where feral cats exist, eight species of birds are now extinct primarily due to cat predation.
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, cat predation is not "natural."
Domestic cats were first brought to North America by European colonists. They are not indigenous to the New World and never existed as part of the natural food chain in the western hemisphere. There are now an estimated 66 million domestic cats in the U.S.-many of them free-roaming.
Fact: Free-roaming cats impact other indigenous wildlife.
When domestic cats kill small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, they take away prey from indigenous predators that are part of the natural food chain, compromising the survival of the natural predators and upsetting the area's ecological balance. Outdoor cats have had a documented impact on reducing the availability of prey for hawks and weasels. In Florida, domestic cat predation has threatened the Key West marsh rabbit population, and has also depleted several unique species of mice and woodrats nearly to the point of extinction. Free-ranging domestic cats may also spread disease to indigenous feline species. Roaming cats have passed feline leukemia to some populations of mountain lions, and may have recently infected the endangered Florida Panther with feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) and an immune deficiency disease-posing a serious threat to this rare species. In addition, cats that are allowed to roam outdoors are often themselves prey for large predators such as coyotes or foxes. When these cats are killed by wildlife, owners put substantial pressure on wildlife agencies or animal control officials to destroy predatory wildlife-even though these natural predators are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. Because of this, free-roaming cats and their unknowing owners can inadvertently eliminate some of the area's most valuable and essential wildlife.
Fact: Free-roaming cats cause trouble for themselves and the community.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the lifespan of an indoor cat is 17 or more years, while free-roaming cats typically live less than five years. Outdoor cats transmit diseases and parasites; are exposed to hazards such as pesticides, antifreeze, and vehicles; can become lost or stolen; may be injured in fights with other cats; can be killed by dogs or wildlife; and may even be harmed by irate or sadistic neighbors. In addition, outdoor cats often become a nuisance, routinely defecating in neighbors' gardens and sandboxes, spraying neighbors' bushes, and digging into trash.
What can you do? Here are some action steps:
Keep your own cat indoors and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Contrary to popular belief, indoor cats can lead happy lives, say animal behaviorists. While some cat owners believe a well-fed cat will lessen the chances of bird mortality, British studies found the amount of food cats ate at home made no difference in the number of bird and mammal kills. Adding a bell to the cat's collar rarely helps either, since cats can learn to move in such a way that the bell does not ring. The only truly effective solution is keeping the cat indoors, all the time.
Keep only as many pet cats as you can feed and care for, and spay or neuter your cat no later than four months of age before it has a chance to reproduce. There are already far more available cats in the U.S. than loving homes. And cats can reproduce at an astonishing rate. Just two uncontrolled breeding cats, plus all their breeding offspring, can add up to over two thousand cats in four short years.
Never abandon an unwanted cat, and don't feed stray cats. Feral cats (cats living on their own with no known owner) have a significant impact on birds, especially in or near wildlife refuges and natural areas. What's the point, beleaguered wildlife officials ask, of saving precious natural habitat only to have it overrun with feral cats? Abandoning an unwanted pet is cruel to both the cat and to area wildlife. Instead, take the cat to an animal shelter or humane society where it may have a chance for a new home. And hard as it is to refrain, don't feed feral cats or support feral cat colonies. Roaming cats with no known owner should be humanely live-trapped and taken to an animal shelter.
Spread the word about the hazard of free-roaming cats. Pass this article around. Let friends, neighbors, veterinarians, pet supply stores, and local animal welfare groups know that keeping cats indoors benefits both cats and wildlife.
Work with homeowner associations and local governments to create and enforce cat licensing laws. Encourage community leaders to establish higher licensing fees for unneutered pets, stricter leash laws for cats, and accountability for pet owners. Contact your homeowner or neighborhood association and city council representative. Show them a copy of this article and tell them you believe keeping cats indoors is best for both wildlife and cats.
If you care about birds and companion pets, remember: domestic cats belong indoors, all the time. It's better for cats, better for wildlife, and better for the community.

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