Posted on 05/18/2022 11:47:50 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Many news stories stress that our ecosystems are under assault by Burmese pythons and Asian carp. This leads people to conclude that it is the less charismatic fauna such as reptiles and fish that are the most threatening of invasive species.
Proposed amendments to the Lacey Act that the U.S. House passed Feb. 4 seem to perpetuate this narrative, with a proposed ban on all exotic animal species moving across state lines. (The 122-year-old Lacey Act bans trafficking in illegally taken fish, wildlife, and plants.) But one animal that the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers among the world’s worst invasive species is also one of America’s most popular pets: Felis catus, the domestic cat.
For the record, I love cats. My rescued girl, Drama Queen, is one of the greatest joys in my life. However, I am firmly of the opinion that she belongs indoors for her own safety, the safety of other animals and the overall well-being of my suburban environment. I don’t intend to shame those who may give their cats outdoor access. I merely wish to present the case that cats are a highly significant invasive species that poses a threat arguably greater than that posed by any other pet animal, including reptiles and amphibians.
Two of the most obvious and significant impacts invasive species may have on an ecosystem include increased disease transmission and predation on native species. Outdoor cats can have these impacts. In 2014, cats made up 61% of rabies cases among domestic animals. Cats are also responsible for the transmission of toxoplasmosis, a fecal parasite that can result in illness and death among wildlife as well as potentially producing birth defects, behavioral disorders or other consequences for people with compromised immunity . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Worse. They scooch on it too!
Don't get me started on carpeting. It's dirty laundry on the floor, from the first moment you step on it. Ick!
I had many Pet Rats,
What fun,kinda stinky.
XLNT garbage disposals.
“has anyone noticed the decrease in the backyard wild bird population?”
Only by brainwashed leftists who hate people, dogs and cats. Look up adaptive prey.
summary: What is an adaptation of prey?
Many prey animals have developed different adaptations to protect themselves from becoming another animal’s dinner. Camouflage, highly developed senses, warning signals, and different defensive weapons and behaviours are all used by prey animals for survival.
If you don’t have birds visiting your feeder, figure out the dominant bird species in your area and buy bird food they like.
I have 5 inside cats and 1 outside. The outside cat hates her own species and refuses to associate with other cats. We tried for 2 years and she would literally starve rather than come out of her room and eat.
Had to feed her and put a liter box in the one room and it still didn’t work. Put her outside and she is a happy happy kittie.
“Cat owners know that they are just trying to figure out how to eat us. And if we stop moving long enough, they will.
My never-been-outside cat tried to get a bird at the bird feeder today. Through the window the bird feeder is attached to. Bounced off the glass. It’s a second floor window. Hilarious.
Cats make Cat Ladies. With Toxoplasmosis Gondii.”
LOL!
A cat from my childhood (she lived to be like 20 years old) would lie in the crib with one of my siblings when she (sibling) was an infant and was often seen licking the baby’s face (probably because it tasted like milk). Infant sister would giggle and make faces at the scratchy cat tongue. Another sibling asked, “Why does she do that?” and Mom replied, “She’s tenderizing her.”
“For my neighbor I researched ways to help save the birds and learned outdoor cats kill over 2 BILLION backyard birds a year! Pretty significant number.”
The Nazis at the Audubon Society thank you for spreading the propaganda. When do you think the extinction of the Amazon rain forest will cause you to drop over dead? Oh, wait. The rain forest died back in 2005, according to a prediction by the Rainforest Action Network back in 1995.
This place is starting to resemble DU.
We developed a rat problem in our house. I trapped several including one the size of a wharf rat. We put out rat poison. Still had rats. A neighborhood cat that is one of several that neighbor ladies feed started coming to my door and I fed it a couple of times then invited it into the house. Now we have a regular deal. I feed it good food each evening and it comes into the house and wanders around meowing everywhere in the house then wants back out after 20 minutes or so. We have not any more evidence of rodents. The cat is worth its pay.
I don’t think you understood my post. But go ahead. FR loves the rude posters these days.
Run along now.
My father told me that my grandfather would shoot any cat he found more than about a tenth of a mile from a house. He was big in bird hunting and said a feral cat would not stop until it killed every quail in the field. I guess it’s true because there hasn’t been any quail in those areas even though they are still rural farming areas.
Yep, they’re far more dangerous than cats. My neighbor’s outdoor cats, for example, are useful in keep down the burgeoning lizard population in my neck of P’cola. WTH are NY, NJ and CA Leftists useful for, besides the warning “Don’t let this happen to you?”
"Can't kill and eat these humans. They're too big!"
LOL!
Yep.....mostly the transplanted northern progressivis liberalis.
All I have to do is to walk around the front yard after it rains. Then I can walk inside the house and get sand in every room.
Nor Tamarask.
I understand you posted leftist, lying Audubon Society propaganda.
Prove to everyone that cats kill 2 billion songbirds every year.
Telling me “to run along” doesn’t hack it.
You made the claim, prove it. And every piece of “evidence” you offer will lead back to the lying leftist pigs in the Audubon Society.
Yup,
Cats——do ya Trust’em?
I agree. In my next home (hopefully my last) NO carpet.
It’s unhealthy, even if you don’t keep critters.
We have a stray that has been hanging around our neighborhood for a couple years now. He’s the sweetest little guy - not feral, obviously used to people, especially kids - can’t imagine why someone might have abandoned him. We all feed him and give him a place to sleep in the winter. In return he keeps the varmints out of our garages.
Throw some mothballs in your garden
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