Cats kill almost one billion birds and small
mammals per year.
Don’t Let Your Cat Be a Killer!
Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon works to protect birds
and other wildlife,
and the habitats upon which they
depend through education, public advocacy
and conservation action.
Download the Cats Indoors Campaign Brochure
Los Gatos Pertenecen Dentro de Casa Folleto en Espanol
Why Cats Belong Indoors
Why You Should Keep Your Cat Indoors:
- Cats are pets that belong indoors. They are NOT
wild animals. They are warm, loving companions,
domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.
-
Cats that are allowed outside are more likely to
lead shorter lives. Exposure to transmittable and
deadly diseases (such as rabies, feline leukemia,
distemper and FIV), the constant threat of being hit
by a car, and being attacked by a dog or a larger
predator such as a fox are very real and likely
possibilities.
- Human cruelty. There have been
many publicized cases of cats found stabbed,
burned and shot.
- Cats can make YOU sick. Cats
can contract diseases such as rabies and
toxoplasmosis, both of which can be transmitted
to humans. They also can carry parasites, such as
ticks, fleas and worms, into the home.
- Cats
will kill wildlife no matter how well they are
fed. They do not always hunt because they are
hungry, they hunt because of an innate urge to hunt.
-
Bells are not a deterrent since wildlife does not
recognize the sound of bells as dangerous and most
cats will learn to hunt silently, even with the
bells.
For the health and happiness of your cat, for the benefit of wild animals, and for your peace of mind, please keep your cat indoors.
And remember...if you are no longer able
to care for your cat, do NOT release him outside.
Chances are, he will wind up dead. Please take him
to your local shelter.
Don't abandon your cat!
The Impact of Cats on Wildlife:
Many bird populations are in a serious and steep
decline due to three major causes: habitat
destruction, window bird collisions and cat
predation. When you add up these losses,
the math is chilling. Hundreds of millions
of birds are killed by cats each year, and
between 100 million and a billion die from window
collisions. Factor in habitat loss and you are now
looking at an unsustainable loss of these species.
Cats also kill prey animals such as mice,
chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and other small
mammals, competing with native species
such as hawks, owls, foxes and other larger wild
predators that depend on these animals for their
survival. Statistics show that the combined
numbers of birds and small mammals killed each year
by cats is close to one billion. Allowing a
well fed house cat to compete for wild food sources
places native predators at a disadvantage. Bottom
line, cats are an invasive and alien species and do
not belong in our ecosystem.
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Black capped chickadee.
This cheerful bird
is a popular and frequent visitor to
backyard feeders, making it vulnerable to
cats. |
Piping plover chick.
The piping plover is a
Federally Threatened Species and frequently
preyed upon by cats. |
Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors
(adopted from the American Bird Conservancy website)
- Provide window shelves to permit your pet to
monitor the outdoors from the safety of your
home.
- Play with your cat each day. Paper bags,
tissue paper, and cardboard boxes are sources
of unending delight when you are away.
- Plant kitty grass (available in pet supply
stores) in indoor pots so your cat can graze.
- Clean litter boxes regularly.
- Provide routine veterinary care, including
annual check-ups and vaccinations.
- If you can, provide a safe, outside
enclosure, such as a screened porch.
Also...
- Consider adopting a companion cat for yours
to play and interact with.
- Spay or neuter your kitten before the age of
six months.
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Tips for transitioning your outdoor cat to an indoor cat
For a list of local shelters
Campaign Partners:
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