Protect Backyard Birds and Wildlife

by Katherine Noyes, Senior Editor

More than 600 species of backyard birds are native to the continental United States, and some 69 million Americans enjoy watching and feeding them. Unfortunately, bird populations are declining faster than ever before around the globe, and one significant reason is predation by domestic cats. By keeping your pet cat indoors, you can help give backyard birds and wildlife the best possible chances for survival.

Of the roughly 80 million pet cats in this country, about two-thirds are allowed to go outside. That's in addition to the roughly 60 million homeless stray and feral cats who are forced to live outside. Together, it's estimated that these outside cats kill hundreds of millions of backyard birds each year as well as billions of small backyard animals such as chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, shrews and field mice.

Among the backyard birds that fall victim to outside cats are common bird species such as cardinals, blue jays and house wrens, as well as rare and endangered species such as the piping plover, Florida scrub jay and California least tern. Even if a caught bird escapes, it usually dies soon afterward from infection. Sadly, it is pet cats' instinct to hunt – not real hunger – that usually drives them to kill backyard birds and wildlife.

Domestic cats are not a natural part of ecosystems, yet they are among the most widespread predators across the globe today. By virtue of their close connection with humans, they also generally enjoy a standard of living that protects them from many threats themselves. When pet cats hunt backyard birds and small native mammals, they deprive other native species, such as the Great Horned Owl and Red-Tailed Hawk, of food. In so doing, they pose a significant threat to the diversity and health of local ecosystems. They can also transmit diseases to wildlife, further weakening the health of natural populations.

Allowing pet cats to roam outside is not just bad for backyard birds and wildlife, it's bad for the cats, too. Outdoor cats are exposed to disease as well as the dangers of traffic, traps, poisons, abuse, and attacks from other animals. In fact, free-roaming cats frequently don't live past the age of three, while indoor cats can live to be 18 or more.

It's a fallacy that cats need to roam outside to be happy, and the common strategy of putting bells on their collars has been found to be ineffective for alerting wildlife to their danger. The best solution for everyone is to keep pet cats inside.

I Did This!

Keep your pet cat inside. If you're about to adopt a young cat, it's usually pretty easy to establish that his territory does not extend beyond the back door. For cats that have been allowed out, however, it can take a little more effort on your part to get them accustomed to staying in. Several humane associations offer tips and suggestions on bringing an outside cat in and keeping a cat happy indoors. For pet cats who are tough to convince, safe options for enjoying the outside include walks on a harness and leash or providing a safe outdoor cat enclosure. Scratching posts, cat trees, toys and a supply of fresh "cat grass" (available at most pet supply stores) can also go a long way toward replacing what cats have come to expect outside. Also be sure your cat is spayed or neutered; unaltered felines have a harder time accepting the limits of life inside.

Start a community effort. By helping educate those around you, you can help protect backyard birds and wildlife not just in your own yard but in your whole community. The American Bird Conservancy has developed a broad array of downloadable brochures, presentations, educators' materials, posters and public-service advertisements as part of its Cats Indoors! campaign. Success stories and detailed instructions on launching a community effort are also available from ABC. Similarly, the Humane Society has educational materials available online as part of its Safe Cats campaign, and the Audubon Society has a number of other practical suggestions for protecting backyard birds and wildlife.


Home > How to Make a Difference in 15 Minutes > Protect Backyard Birds and Wildlife
	Protect Backyard Birds and Wildlife by Katherine Noyes, Senior Editor More than 600 species of backyard birds are native to the continental United States, and some 69 million Americans enjoy watching and feeding them. Unfortunately, bird populations are declining faster than ever before around the globe, and one significant reason is predation by domestic cats. By keeping your pet cat indoors, you can help give backyard birds and wildlife the best possible chances for survival. Of the roughly 80 million pet cats in this country, about two-thirds are allowed to go outside. That's in addition to the roughly 60 million homeless stray and feral cats who are forced to live outside. Together, it's estimated that these outside cats kill hundreds of millions of backyard birds each year as well as billions of small backyard animals such as chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, shrews and field mice. Among the backyard birds that fall victim to outside cats are common bird species such as cardinals, blue jays and house wrens, as well as rare and endangered species such as the piping plover, Florida scrub jay and California least tern. Even if a caught bird escapes, it usually dies soon afterward from infection. Sadly, it is pet cats' instinct to hunt – not real hunger – that usually drives them to kill backyard birds and wildlife. Domestic cats are not a natural part of ecosystems, yet they are among the most widespread predators across the globe today. By virtue of their close connection with humans, they also generally enjoy a standard of living that protects them from many threats themselves. When pet cats hunt backyard birds and small native mammals, they deprive other native species, such as the Great Horned Owl and Red-Tailed Hawk, of food. In so doing, they pose a significant threat to the diversity and health of local ecosystems. They can also transmit diseases to wildlife, further weakening the health of natural populations. Allowing pet cats to roam outside is not just bad for backyard birds and wildlife, it's bad for the cats, too. Outdoor cats are exposed to disease as well as the dangers of traffic, traps, poisons, abuse, and attacks from other animals. In fact, free-roaming cats frequently don't live past the age of three, while indoor cats can live to be 18 or more. It's a fallacy that cats need to roam outside to be happy, and the common strategy of putting bells on their collars has been found to be ineffective for alerting wildlife to their danger. The best solution for everyone is to keep pet cats inside. I Did This! Share on Facebook I'm passing along a great do-it-yourself volunteer idea I just found at VolunteerGuide.org: Bird populations are declining faster than ever before; one of the leading reasons is predation by domestic cats. By keeping your pet cat indoors, you can help give backyard birds and wildlife the best possible chances for survival. Post on Your Wall Share on Twitter Bird populations are declining faster than ever before; one of the leading reasons is predation by domestic cats. By... http://www.volunteerguide.org/minutes/service-projects/backyard-birds Tweet This Share by Email I'm passing along a great do-it-yourself volunteer idea I just found at VolunteerGuide.org: Bird populations are declining faster than ever before; one of the leading reasons is predation by domestic cats. By keeping your pet cat indoors, you can help give backyard birds and wildlife the best possible chances for survival. http://www.volunteerguide.org/minutes/service-projects/backyard-birds Email Your Friends Keep your pet cat inside. If you're about to adopt a young cat, it's usually pretty easy to establish that his territory does not extend beyond the back door. For cats that have been allowed out, however, it can take a little more effort on your part to get them accustomed to staying in. Several humane associations offer tips and suggestions on bringing an outside cat in and keeping a cat happy indoors. For pet cats who are tough to convince, safe options for enjoying the outside include walks on a harness and leash or providing a safe outdoor cat enclosure. Scratching posts, cat trees, toys and a supply of fresh "cat grass" (available at most pet supply stores) can also go a long way toward replacing what cats have come to expect outside. Also be sure your cat is spayed or neutered; unaltered felines have a harder time accepting the limits of life inside. Start a community effort. By helping educate those around you, you can help protect backyard birds and wildlife not just in your own yard but in your whole community. The American Bird Conservancy has developed a broad array of downloadable brochures, presentations, educators' materials, posters and public-service advertisements as part of its Cats Indoors! campaign. Success stories and detailed instructions on launching a community effort are also available from ABC. Similarly, the Humane Society has educational materials available online as part of its Safe Cats campaign, and the Audubon Society has a number of other practical suggestions for protecting backyard birds and wildlife.
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Protect Backyard Birds and Wildlife

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