Why do cat lovers refuse to accept this FACT?

Question

Cats are listed among the top 100 worst invasive species.
I've read an estimate that cats may be killing 566 million birds each year, and are listed as the major contributing factor in the extinction of the Guadalupe storm petrel (Oceanodrama macrodactyla), and red-fronted parakeet. As an interesting note, a single cat was isolated as the cause of killing the last Stephen Island Wren (Traversia lyalli) population, thereby driving it to extinction in New Zealand in 1894. There are several initiatives to eliminate cats entirely from a number of islands due to their destructive influence on the natural fauna.

Why then do cat lovers seem to think it is their right to let their cats roam free and that anyone that tells them to keep their cat indoors (as is the LAW where I'm from) or takes steps to control cats in our environment is "cruel" or "mean"?

Is is abhorently irresponsible to let your cat outdoors unattended. Let alone unneutered and/or without immunizations.

To the girl from Illionois... most of the leash laws are left up to cities and townships... here is Chicago's:Each owner shall keep and maintain his animal under restraint; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any dog being used for rescue or law enforcement work. It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow his or her animal to cross outside the property line of its owner to any extent, including reaching over or under a fence, or to keep or allow his or her animal to be outdoors on an unfenced portion of the owner's property, unless the animal is leashed and under the control of its owner or another responsible person. In addition, it shall be an unlawful failure to restrain for an animal to attack, bite, threaten, or jump on any person without that person's consent, outside the property of the animal's owner. The provisions of this section shall be a positive duty of the owner and the offenses described herein shall be strict liability offenses. ($300.00 fine)

If you actually read what I said, you would notice I said Stephen Island Wren (Traversia lyalli) POPULATION... not the last Stephen Island Wren. And I'm not sure about the possibility of parthenogensis in this particular species (not likely), but it is completely irrelevant because I said POPULATION which is more than 1 bird. Don't try to justify that by saying "if it was just one bird it would have been extinct anyway..." it makes you look stupid because you didn't read what I said.

Kathy, I'm sure if you look closer you'll find that BOTH the rabbits and the cats were introduced by humans... in that case BOTH were exotic species and BOTH did damage to the natural ecosystem. You can't say that attempting to control introduction of exotic species to an ecosystem is bad based on damage caused by two exotic species. Had neither cat or rabbit been introduced this wouldn't have happened. There are quite a number of possible species that you were referring to.. If you let me know which one I'll write a more detailed response.

To those that claim humans are worse... that is TRUE but see my reply about rabbits... you can't justnot controlling an invassive species because another invassive species is present or even worse... dumb arguement.

Answer 1

I agree with you 100%.....cats belong indoors!!! I am a true cat lover and have owned cats all my life...but they have all been indoor cats. I also happen to be an ornithologist so I know the facts about how damaging cats can be to the environment. People need to realize they are no longer wild animals and do not need to be outside as they are no longer a part of the natural ecosystem. Only WILD cats are, not domesticated ones. Cats are much safer inside, way too many dangers outside...indoor cats live longer, healthier lives.

Answer 2

Where on earth did you get that figure from?!? It is nearer a quarter of a million per year in the UK according to the BBC Wildlife Magazine. Given the distribution of the world's human - therefore cat - and bird population I don't see how that can possibly multiply to the figure you have given... Please check your facts. I have done several searches on this and can find no verification whatsoever for the huge figure you quote.

I agree entirely witth all of sscodename's answer and frankly think it is by far the best one you have had. As she so rightly points out, even if a single cat did kill the last Stephen Island wren, if it was the last ONE the species was extinct anyway. Logic!

A collar and bell works pretty well to keep even a healthy young outdoor cat from killing birds. Plus of course not actively encouraging birds into a garden where there are cats.

Answer 3

There was a place that had a bird that was going extinct and decided to KILL all the feral cats to help the bird. What happened is they got overrun by rabbits and rats that ate the nests and eggs and destroyed other valuable plants. SO THEY SOLVED NOTHING!!! Instead they killed innocent cats for no reason and the birds became extinct anyway. According to the article they were totally embarrassed and out alot of money for the trouble.
Don't mess with mother nature. Or you will end up with something worse to deal with.
Bird lovers have their FACTS? wrong. People are the cause of most of the extinction of birds today NOT CATS. So get over it.
The only reason I preach to others to keep their cats in is because of people like you that would love to kill them.

You can give me any details about it but what it boils down to is that KILLING is NOT the solution! I would not be killing the birds cause I don't like them pooping on my car. So leave the cats alone!

Answer 4

In the US it is not against any law to let your cat out doors not being on a leash! However it is cruel to not get them there immunization shots and get them spayed/neutered! Some people can't afford to get this done, in my opinion they should have taken this into consideration before getting the pet as a cost and saved up for these expenses. I love cats, I think they are very intelligent animals. I have a cat that is an indoor cat but does like to have some fresh air and go out for a little and I have set his boundaries and he sticks to them! It sounds crazy but a cat can learn just like a dog can, you just have to work with your pet and get to know your pet and let them get to know you! Not all cats are bad, and not all cat lovers are bad. Cats need to be taken care of properly and responsibly just like any other pet! As far as I am aware it is the year 2007 now, not 1894! Whether in New Zealand or anywhere else a-lot has changed since then!

Answer 5

Well, you do have some good points. I don't know if you have ever had a cat but there are some that you just can't keep inside even if they were raised indoors. However, I think the main problem here is the human which has essentially been destroying its own living environment very much like a virus destroys its host. The problem of cats will be fixed right alongside the problems of people, I'm afraid, since people seem to have the upper hand in all of this. I think the most that we can do is just to keep people aware of all of the issues that you raised - especially to neuter and immunize their animals. There are some programs today that help alleviate costs for people with pets. I know that to neuter and immunize in some places in the states can costs literally hundreds of dollars for one animal. I think that it is good to support these programs. In the end it is always better to encourage and rally support for the positive than to wage war against the negative because you tend to bring about more of whatever you fix your mind on. Maybe you will find a passion for working for these causes. People just aren't aware of these issues. Did you see on Yahoo! news the other day that 20% of Americans had never heard of global warming. Hard to imagine but even more have not heard of the issues you are raising. Someone like Al Gore is doing a great job just making people aware, not just pointing fingers. It's a great tactic. Good luck.

Answer 6

My cats have never caused the extinction of any species. Perhaps where you are cats need to be more closely monitored. You should realize that anytime an animal that isn't native is introduced into an environment it can cause a terrible inbalance. It's not all cats that are a problem or all owners and not all cats kill birds. And these guilty cats that you speak of are they domestic cats and they are in the top 100. Are you as bent out of shape about the other 99? As for the single cat that killed the last bird of a species, if it was the last ONE it couldn't have carried on the species anyway.

Answer 7

Don't get me wrong..... I'm not even a cat person, but I live on a farm, and my cats are indoor/outdoor... they are fixed so as to help not populate the area, but it helps living on a farm having outside cats! We have people simply drop off cats in the middle of the night, and we feed them and in the winter we let them come inside..... we have 3 cats~ 1 indoors only and 2 indoor/outdoor..... they are not breeding and they are keeping the mouse population down. To the person who had the comment about not letting their dog bring them bodies, what do you think Labs do when they go duck hunting? Are they smart enough to walk up to the duck, put a LEASH on it and walk it back to the hunter? Didn't think so........ another side note.... My dogs have killed animals that have come into our yard including but not limited to cats, opossums, birds, mice, and raccoons.... maybe I should go have a talk with them and tell them they will kill off a species if they continue.

Answer 8

I couldn't agree with you more.
I have two cats, both found as abandoned kittens.
I keep them indoors 100% of the time, they go to the Vet yearly and are both spayed.
As a responsible pet owner, I believe they should be kept in the house and protected from the dangers of the other stray/wild animals that are out there.
People and their idea of pet ownership and responsibility really anger me, I am constantly preaching to people to get their pets fixed and to keep them vaccinated.
Unfortunately not many people listen and there are way to many homeless animals roaming about.

Answer 9

You wrote:

Cats are listed among the top 100 worst invasive species.

I respond...

Invasive species? I think not. However, I have to admit that it pains me slightly to agree with you in theory. Cats have a population rate that is unbelievably high, and as a result have overflowing cages in shelters, let alone those who abuse their animals and let them run free.

I also agree with you that if you are going to keep a cat, you should keep it as an indoor animal. People need to realize that the feline species, as in domesticated cats, are just that - domesticated. Foods these days are specially formulated for indoor cats, and will provide them any nutrition that they need in order to satisfy their need for vegetation in their diets. There is nothing that your cat is missing outside, provided they have adequate stimulation inside your home. Not only that, it helps them stay healthy - as you know who your animal has been in contact with.

In my town of Whitby, it is against one of our many by-laws to have your animals roaming free in the neighhborhood... they must be on a harness/leash when they are outside.

You need to realize that if you have come in contact with people that will not let their animals indoors, or just let them roam free through the streets, it is YOUR responsibility as an animal lover to approach them and let them know that it is against the law to do so, and if the behavior does not change, then report them to the proper authorities. Not every cat lover is the stereotype you purported... and I hope that you can see that. I have 6 cats, all that I have rescued from a fate worse than death.... life in a shelter... and I resent the fact that you have included me, a decent caring cat lover (well, animal lover) among those who are the worst of the bunch.

Answer 10

because people in general are many times lazy when it comes to cats. They dont like litter boxes so they just let cats roam. I will agree that cats need to be indoors or on a leash (and YES you can leash train a cat....it takes paitence and time!)
All domesticated animals should recieve shots and be spayed or neutered. Inside or out.