The Truth About Cats and Birds?

dotearth ^ | June 2, 2009 | Andrew C. Revkin

[SWAMPSNIPER]

This is the Google view of my property, the wooded area is mine. The grey roof is my daughters home, my old place doesn't show through the trees. As you can see, it is on the wild side, we like it that way. It does take some effort, or there would be gators on the porch and mocassins in the bathtub. We have all the normal coons and possums running around at night, plus an occassional herd of wild hogs and some deer. Things usually balance out, but a heavy load of feral cats will tip the balance. I've seen the effect, first hand.

[PA Engineer]

Well I guess this is show and tell.



House is on the left. Barn isn't visible anymore. The orchard in the upper right corner has tried a number of dear control projects. The had a commercial cull permit and took out over 80 dear to no effect. They have been working with Penn State on different fencing schemes. They seem to be having luck with the double offset fence.

It would be nice if google would expand to 3D perspective. This property is very steep slope. Across the road is a second ridge that is much steeper and the rear drops off into another ravine than rises out of view to another ridge. This is an early spring photo from 2004 according to google. There was a great deal of blowdown at the time from a major storm. None of it is visible now.

Feral cats just do not survive here. Bear, coyote, greay and red fox, bobcat and most other small critters including an ermine make there home here. Did I mention the dear.

[Fawn]

Alot of ferals—I know this first hand—can become quite tame-—but most cats are strays..who once had a home ....but got lost or were dropped off by irresponsible people...and I am sure many of them your dad shot were just trying to find their way home....or looking for a kind hearted person to give them some food. To judge an animal simply because it’s walking around on your property is unforgiving.

[Fawn]

Don’t you think it makes logical to sense to start at the beginning of the problem instead of at a crass cruel end? Make spay neuter mandatory and fine the owners that dont’ do it. Then you don’t have to shoot poor fluffy looking for a kind hearted handout and save tax money at the shelters euthanizing them....and would prevent nuts from maiming fluffy.

[Fawn]

Too many cats and all the birds disappear

I hope you aren't concluding that the birds disappear because the cat ate them. The birds disappear because their territory is no longer safe. It could be because of a hawk, dog, coon, PEOPLE or the fact you put up a pool in your backyard.

[Fawn]

Nice evasive twist to avoid my facts and logic. I will tell you this, I own 3 guns and wouldn’t hesistate to shoot dogs....since they kill people. I would also like to see all pitbulls and rotties killed off—and any other species of dog that can tear people apart.

[Darnright]

>Don’t you think it makes logical to sense to start at the beginning of the problem instead of at a crass cruel end? Make spay neuter mandatory and fine the owners that dont’ do it.<

First off, I am absolutely against shooting cats. That said, if you have a no-roam policy, backed up with licensing (with deep discounts for spayed/neutered pets) you’d go a long way toward not only protecting cats, but protecting songbirds and other small animals from a very efficient, non-native predator population.

IMHO, if localities want to help solve the problem, heavily subsidize spay/neuter clinics (but you’re going to hear squalls of outrage from Veterinarians). And, I just found out that many rural counties take action about stray dogs, but totally ignore stray cats. They won’t even take in cats that are brought in by concerned citizens!

Someone on this board made the statement that “dogs kill you; but cats don’t”. Cats can definitely pose lethal dangers, when, as non-vaccinated strays, they contract rabies.

[SZonian]

I don’t have rats or mice thanks. I do my own pest control and am quite effective at it.

And contrary to what most on this thread think or believe, cats are a threat to human and canine health.

http://www.petshed.com/petcyclopedia/human-risk-from-cat-worms.html

SZ

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I’m not evading anything, there is just no sense in further discussion, you have no grasp of reality.

[goat granny]

OK

[angcat]

Hi Fawn, I love my cats and all strays are welcome on my deck! Cat people are the best! I have Blue Jays and Robins eating the dry cat food on my deck while one of my strays watches. She is not even interested in attacking them because she is well fed and has better things to do with her time!

[AFreeBird]

I recall stepping in dog crap on my lawn, but never cat. I’ve seen mine use flower beds, and under shrubs and the like, but never the lawn. And since they usually like to cover it up, I don’t really have a problem with it.

[AFreeBird]

They should euthanize buzzards

If it wasn't for the carrion eaters, this world would be a very messy and smelly place.

[Crolis]

Interesting. I’ll have to take a look at that book.

[Fawn]

She is not even interested in attacking them because she is well fed and has better things to do with her time!

LOL! Like sun themselves and sleep! My ferals in the back never bother the birds either (which I also feed).... Thanks for the post! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[angcat]

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>