Of all threats facing our wildlife, none raises more emotion and controversy than the problem of cats. With over 70 million feral cats and 74 million pet cats scattered throughout the United States alone, the destruction of wildlife that they cause is far from negligible. Over the past 10,000 years, people introduced domestic cats to all corners of the globe contributing to the demise of dozens of species globally. Despite the long history of domestic felines on the landscape, cats are not natural to our environment and they are destructive invasive species wherever they dwell.
A study published on January 29, 2013 in the journal Nature Communications found that cats have a greater impact on wildlife populations than previously thought. The study found that for birds, cats are second only to window strikes as a cause of anthropogenic mortality with cats killing between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds each year in the United States alone. Small mammals fare even worse with an estimated 6.9 to 20.7 billion dying each year. These numbers far exceeded previous estimates which placed the total wildlife mortality caused by cats at 500 million.
Not only do cats effect the population of smaller bird species, but birds of prey are also effected since many of the species killed by cats are the same ones that raptors consume. With starvation being a leading cause of mortality for raptors, it is reasonable to assert that having 6.9 to 20.7 billion more small mammals on the landscape would be beneficial to raptor populations.
Nongame species, like mice and songbirds, are not the only quarry cats pursue. Game species like rabbits, squirrels, pheasant and turkey (mostly poults) all commonly fall prey to cats. This slaughter of game by cats robs hunters of opportunities to harvest these species. It should be explicitly noted that hunters, through excise taxes and license sales, put billions of dollars into conservation. What do cat owners put toward conservation? Is there an excise tax on cat food and litter that goes toward protecting wildlife? Is there a license that must be paid for before owning a cat? The answer is simply no!
Cats are far from selective killers. They have been the primary cause of mortally in the extinction of 33 bird species. Island endemic bird species are particularly vulnerable to cat predation because many of them not only nest on the ground, but are also flightless because they evolved without pressure from terrestrial predators, like dogs, cats, and snakes. In addition to the aforementioned factors that make island endemic birds exceptionally vulnerable to terrestrial predation, many of these birds also have low reproductive rates. This means that it does not take a high mortality rate to exceed recruitment (replacement) levels.
Hawaii is just one island chain that has experienced drastic declines in endemic bird populations. Since human settlement, 95 species of native Hawaiian birds have gone extinct, and another 33 are federally listed as endangered. These declines are due to both habitat destruction, and to introduced species; cats being a significant contributor.
Not only do cats directly prey on wildlife, but they also spread disease. Currently, a disease called Toxoplasmosis, which causes birth defects and memory loss, is affecting the Hawaiian Goose population. The disease depends on cats in order to complete it life cycle making an undeniable link between free-roaming cats and the spread of diseases to wildlife.
All this destruction has not gone unnoticed. Many towns, cities and even countries have adopted cat control programs. One of the largest cat control programs was announced in 2015 by the Australian government. Their plan called for the killing of two million feral cat over the course of five years in order to protect its native wildlife. It is not surprising that the Australian government would take such drastic measures since Australia accounts for 35% of modern mammal extinctions and has 124 threatened species that are currently being negatively affected by feral cats. This action though did not come without backlash. Multiply celebrity animal rights activists penned open letters to the Australian government condemning the cull as animal genocide, inhuman, and ridiculous.
This same battle between pro cat and pro wildlife camps has played out around the world. One interesting case recently involved the Smithsonian Institute and Ally Cat Allies. The Smithsonian Institute which partly funded the study in Nature Communications that was mentioned earlier in this article was presented a petition with over 50,000 signatures asking them to stop supporting what Ally Cat Allies called “junk science”, in reference to the study. There definition of junk science being anything that doesn’t agree with their mission, which is not conservation!
Despite all the conflict behind cat control, both camps can agree that feral cat populations need to be reduced. Unfortunately, that is where the agreement ends. There are currently two primary methods used for reducing cat populations both of which are fervently backed by armies of vehement supporters, organizations, and corporations.
The first widely practiced method of controlling feral and stray cat populations is a method know as trap-neuter-release (TNR). This practice involves trapping cats, neutering them and then returning them to the area which they were caught. When done correctly, this method can reduce overall cat populations over time. Unfortunately, this method is expensive, routinely costing more than 100 dollars per cat, and does nothing for reducing the immediate impact of cats on wildlife. In fact, “fixed” cats often live longer than their “intact” counterparts. It is also labor intensive requiring people to check traps and then neuter the cats. Since cats are released, feral cat colonies are found in many towns and rural communities. Cat colonies are normally maintained by individuals with each cat costing up to 500 dollars a year to feed. Despite its clear shortcomings and negative impacts on wildlife, this method continues to be promoted and funded by many animal rights organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Not surprisingly it is also funded by corporate charities such as PetSmart Charities. After all, someone has to supply kibble to the kitties.
The other commonly used method of controlling cat populations is the trap-euthanize method. On average, 1.4 million cats are euthanized every year in the United States. Like TNR, euthanizing cats is labor intensive, but the captured cats do not continue to impact local wildlife. This method is better for wildlife and is favored by conservation organizations like the American Bird Conservancy, and The Wildlife Society. Animal rights groups organizations like HSUS and PETA continue to opposed the euthanizing of cats believing it to be inhumane. One argument often used against cat euthanasia programs is that pets are sometimes killed. That agreement is increasingly becoming void though as the increased use of PITT tags (micro-chips) in cats has allowed for accidentally captured pets too be identified.
It is undeniable. Cats pose a clear, serious danger to wildlife and will continue to do so if drastic action is not taken. Any actions that effectively reduce the impact of free roaming cats on the environment should be supported. Cat removal projects, keeping cats indoors campaigns, and strict regulations regarding the feeding of feral cats are all ways to reduce the environmental impact of cats. Pro cat organizations such as the Humane Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals should be considered adversaries to wildlife until they cease to support destructive TNR programs and feral cat colonies. These actions may seem drastic, but it is necessary in order to maintain stable wildlife populations in this era of rampant habitat destruction and change. If we fail to take action, it will be future generations who pay for the impact of our indecisiveness.
Bibliography
A study published on January 29, 2013 in the journal Nature Communications found that cats have a greater impact on wildlife populations than previously thought. The study found that for birds, cats are second only to window strikes as a cause of anthropogenic mortality with cats killing between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds each year in the United States alone. Small mammals fare even worse with an estimated 6.9 to 20.7 billion dying each year. These numbers far exceeded previous estimates which placed the total wildlife mortality caused by cats at 500 million.
Not only do cats effect the population of smaller bird species, but birds of prey are also effected since many of the species killed by cats are the same ones that raptors consume. With starvation being a leading cause of mortality for raptors, it is reasonable to assert that having 6.9 to 20.7 billion more small mammals on the landscape would be beneficial to raptor populations.
Nongame species, like mice and songbirds, are not the only quarry cats pursue. Game species like rabbits, squirrels, pheasant and turkey (mostly poults) all commonly fall prey to cats. This slaughter of game by cats robs hunters of opportunities to harvest these species. It should be explicitly noted that hunters, through excise taxes and license sales, put billions of dollars into conservation. What do cat owners put toward conservation? Is there an excise tax on cat food and litter that goes toward protecting wildlife? Is there a license that must be paid for before owning a cat? The answer is simply no!
Cats are far from selective killers. They have been the primary cause of mortally in the extinction of 33 bird species. Island endemic bird species are particularly vulnerable to cat predation because many of them not only nest on the ground, but are also flightless because they evolved without pressure from terrestrial predators, like dogs, cats, and snakes. In addition to the aforementioned factors that make island endemic birds exceptionally vulnerable to terrestrial predation, many of these birds also have low reproductive rates. This means that it does not take a high mortality rate to exceed recruitment (replacement) levels.
Hawaii is just one island chain that has experienced drastic declines in endemic bird populations. Since human settlement, 95 species of native Hawaiian birds have gone extinct, and another 33 are federally listed as endangered. These declines are due to both habitat destruction, and to introduced species; cats being a significant contributor.
Not only do cats directly prey on wildlife, but they also spread disease. Currently, a disease called Toxoplasmosis, which causes birth defects and memory loss, is affecting the Hawaiian Goose population. The disease depends on cats in order to complete it life cycle making an undeniable link between free-roaming cats and the spread of diseases to wildlife.
All this destruction has not gone unnoticed. Many towns, cities and even countries have adopted cat control programs. One of the largest cat control programs was announced in 2015 by the Australian government. Their plan called for the killing of two million feral cat over the course of five years in order to protect its native wildlife. It is not surprising that the Australian government would take such drastic measures since Australia accounts for 35% of modern mammal extinctions and has 124 threatened species that are currently being negatively affected by feral cats. This action though did not come without backlash. Multiply celebrity animal rights activists penned open letters to the Australian government condemning the cull as animal genocide, inhuman, and ridiculous.
This same battle between pro cat and pro wildlife camps has played out around the world. One interesting case recently involved the Smithsonian Institute and Ally Cat Allies. The Smithsonian Institute which partly funded the study in Nature Communications that was mentioned earlier in this article was presented a petition with over 50,000 signatures asking them to stop supporting what Ally Cat Allies called “junk science”, in reference to the study. There definition of junk science being anything that doesn’t agree with their mission, which is not conservation!
Despite all the conflict behind cat control, both camps can agree that feral cat populations need to be reduced. Unfortunately, that is where the agreement ends. There are currently two primary methods used for reducing cat populations both of which are fervently backed by armies of vehement supporters, organizations, and corporations.
The first widely practiced method of controlling feral and stray cat populations is a method know as trap-neuter-release (TNR). This practice involves trapping cats, neutering them and then returning them to the area which they were caught. When done correctly, this method can reduce overall cat populations over time. Unfortunately, this method is expensive, routinely costing more than 100 dollars per cat, and does nothing for reducing the immediate impact of cats on wildlife. In fact, “fixed” cats often live longer than their “intact” counterparts. It is also labor intensive requiring people to check traps and then neuter the cats. Since cats are released, feral cat colonies are found in many towns and rural communities. Cat colonies are normally maintained by individuals with each cat costing up to 500 dollars a year to feed. Despite its clear shortcomings and negative impacts on wildlife, this method continues to be promoted and funded by many animal rights organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Not surprisingly it is also funded by corporate charities such as PetSmart Charities. After all, someone has to supply kibble to the kitties.
The other commonly used method of controlling cat populations is the trap-euthanize method. On average, 1.4 million cats are euthanized every year in the United States. Like TNR, euthanizing cats is labor intensive, but the captured cats do not continue to impact local wildlife. This method is better for wildlife and is favored by conservation organizations like the American Bird Conservancy, and The Wildlife Society. Animal rights groups organizations like HSUS and PETA continue to opposed the euthanizing of cats believing it to be inhumane. One argument often used against cat euthanasia programs is that pets are sometimes killed. That agreement is increasingly becoming void though as the increased use of PITT tags (micro-chips) in cats has allowed for accidentally captured pets too be identified.
It is undeniable. Cats pose a clear, serious danger to wildlife and will continue to do so if drastic action is not taken. Any actions that effectively reduce the impact of free roaming cats on the environment should be supported. Cat removal projects, keeping cats indoors campaigns, and strict regulations regarding the feeding of feral cats are all ways to reduce the environmental impact of cats. Pro cat organizations such as the Humane Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals should be considered adversaries to wildlife until they cease to support destructive TNR programs and feral cat colonies. These actions may seem drastic, but it is necessary in order to maintain stable wildlife populations in this era of rampant habitat destruction and change. If we fail to take action, it will be future generations who pay for the impact of our indecisiveness.
Bibliography
- Nolen, Scott. (2010) “Economic Study Estimates Cost of Feral Cat Control”. American Veterinarian Medicine Association. Retrieved: September29,2016 From: https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/100601gg.aspx
- Mott, Maryann. (2004) “US Faces Growing Feral Cat Problem”.
National Geographic News. Retrieved: September 29, 2016
From:http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0907_040907_feralcats.html
- Humane Society of the United States. (date unknown). “US Pet Ownership, Community Cat, and Shelter Cat Population Estimates”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016.From: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html
- Alley Cat Allies. (Date Unknown). “Natural History of the Cat”.
Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://www.alleycat.org/resources/the-natural-history-of-the-cat/
- Loss S.R. et al. “The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States”. Nat. Commun. 4:1396 doi: 10.1038/ncomms2380 (2012).
- University of Missouri Raptor Rehabilitation Project. (2013). “Raptor Facts”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://raptorrehab.cvm.missouri.edu/raptor-facts/
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. (2010). “The Pitmen-Robertson Aid in the Wildlife Restoration Act”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: https://www.fws.gov/southeast/federalaid/pittmanrobertson.html
- American Bird Conservancy. (2016). “Endangered Hawaiian Geese at Risk of Disease Spread by Feral Cats”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: https://abcbirds.org/article/endangered-hawaiian-geese-at-risk-from-disease-spead-by-feral-cats-study-finds/
- Morelle, Rebecca. (2013). “Cats Killing Billions of Animals in the US”. BBC News. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-21236690
- Woods and Water. (Unknown). “Wild Turkey Predation”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://waterandwoods.net/2008/09/wild-turkey-predators/
- Stafford, Kevin. (2008). “The Significance of Cat Predation on Wildlife”. Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Science, Massey University New Zealand. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?meta=Generic&pId=11268&id=3866641&print=1
- American Bird Conservancy. (2016). “Hawaii Program”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: https://abcbirds.org/program/hawaii/
- Feltman, Racheal. Washington Post. (2015). “Why Australia Has to Kill Two Million Cats”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/10/14/australia-defends-decision-to-put-down-2-million-feral-cats/
- Ghose, Tia. Live Science. (2013). “Cat Fight Brewing Over Animal Slaughter Study”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://www.livescience.com/29137-cat-lovers-fight-wildlife-study.html
- Miller, Lynne. (unknown). “How Much does it Cost to Spay a Cat”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://www.petmd.com/cat/care/evr_ct_how-much-does-it-cost-to-spay-a-cat
- PetSmart Charities. (unknown). “Reducing Unplanned Litters”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: https://www.petsmartcharities.org/what-we-do/preventing-births/programs
- Petfinder. (unknown). “Annual Cat Care Costs”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/cat-adoption/annual-cat-care-costs/
- ASPCA. (unknown). “Pet Statics”. Retrieved: September 29, 2016. From: http://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics
- Lednicer, Lisa. Washington Post. (2014). “Is it More Humane to Kill Stray Cats, or Let Them Fend Alone”. Retrieved: September 30, 2016. From: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/is-it-more-humane-to-kill-stray-cats-or-let-them-fend-alone/2014/02/06/472f9858-82a4-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html