Safe, Happy Cats = Safe, Happy Birds

The Howard County Bird Club believes that both cats and birds deserve to be safe and happy, but that is only possible if they are kept apart. Cats are “the ultimate generalist predator” according to Sarah Legge of the Charles Darwin University.^[1] While researching just what a cat may hunt, one can find lists of over 2000 species that have been known to fall prey to them – and perhaps up to 63 of these species are now extinct, due in large part to their predation. According to the most reliable recent estimate,^[2] cats kill approximately 1.3 to 4 billion birds annually in the United States. Many of the species are of threatened status – with cat predation pushing them to complete extinction. All cats have the hunting instinct, and even well-fed cats will hunt, though perhaps not consume their prey.

Cats themselves face huge threats when free roaming in the environment. They can be prey to foxes or coyotes. Other hazards are inadvertently ingesting toxins, trauma and diseases. Many of the diseases they encounter can be carried home to their human caretakers – such as rabies, toxoplasmosis and a wide range of parasites. Indoor/outdoor cats can also bring ticks and fleas into a home. If the cat itself becomes infected with some of these diseases the symptoms can be very serious. Toxoplasmosis for instance can cause blindness and seizures, and it’s not a simple matter of going to the vet for some pills for a cure.

Trap/neuter/release (TNR) programs designed to contain feral cat populations have been shown unequivocally not to work but rather magnify all the concerns already outlined here. Cats in these colonies live short, brutal lives. It is a failed experiment and is not a solution for this huge man-made problem. Howard County Bird Club does not condone TNR programs and supports a more humane solution.

Howard County Bird Club advocates for our feline friends, our beloved birds and our environment by taking the stand that all cats should be contained in an environment that protects them from these hazards and the ecosystem from their predation. It is a fallacy to assume that they are “part of the circle of life” as they are an efficient, non-native, invasive apex predator put into an ecosystem that did not coevolve with them. The bird club contends that all cats can live happy fulfilled lives indoors. To this end, we have contributed $5000 to the Howard County Animal Shelter for the specific purpose of improving cat health and adoption to safe, indoor homes with loving families. Structures such as “catios” and other enrichments can safely replace the outdoor lifestyle. We dream of a future where our culture does not accept free range cats but rather protects them indoors for their good and for the good of our native ecosystem.

[1] We need to worry about Bella and Charlie: the impacts of pet cats on Australian wildlife. Sarah Legge, J. Woinarski, C. Dickman, B. Murphy, M. Calver and L. Wooly. Wildlife Research (2020) 47 (8): 523–539
[2] The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States by Loss, S. R, Will T. & Marra P. P. , Nature Communications, 2013

Catios

Do you want to build a catio for your outdoor cats, but don’t have the funds? HCBC may be able to assist with funding by reimbursing you up to $5,000 for your completed project. Use the Contact Us link on our homepage for details. HCBC does not endorse one manufacturer or builder over another. The links below are to guide you about the various possibilities for establishing a catio for your cats.

Prefab catios

DIY plans
(and photos)

MD contractor