Cats are loved by their cuteness, their beauty, and even by their audacity and ability to apparently ignore us as their ‘owners’. We all love the rebel defiance of cats and the mystic predatory look in their eyes. But what are they really doing when we are not looking?
There are about 9 million cats in Britain that are responsible in average for a massive 275 million wildlife casualties, each year! Surely if other species such as the dogs would roam free killing all they could catch in their path (including other people pets) they would not get away with it. So dogs are kept on leashes, indoors etc. But cats seem to get away with it. And even harder to understand is people’s refusal to acknowledge and do something about it. Is it because there is no economic downturn? No legal ownership for wildlife? No one complaining? What is the real value of wildlife in our society?
In true fact anyone owning any type of pet should assume full liability for its actions. Cat owners often get away from that responsibility hiding behind the natural predatory and roaming behaviour of our little feline friends and turn a blind eye to the impact this has on our already struggling wildlife. Wildlife’s ability to survive is being stretched to the limits by human actions such as hunting, poaching, pollution, contamination, fragmentation and loss of habitat, use of pesticides, dividing roads, and increasing cities with nowhere to hide or build a nest. The little few natural habitats left need to be fiercely protected from the greed of the ever growing economy (which only concern for nature is the profit that will get from its exploitation) and from the desperate need for space to put our cars, shopping centres and golf courses, our houses and feed our nations. Now they have one more challenge: our pets, that merciless hunt for these animals on the few green places left to hide, our gardens and parks.
Wildlife 'belongs' to all of us as a community and should also be respected on its own rights!
Simple and easy measures such as a collar with a bell or not letting the cat out at night, especially during the nesting and breeding season can make a huge difference for the few wild animals that are still resilient and haven’t given up living amongst us. Cat’s owners should understand that a selfish and indifferent attitude towards the predatory behaviour of their pets on wildlife is not acceptable in today’s society and shrinking natural world. Action needs to be taken to prevent our luxurious lifestyles (including the ownership of pets) from the continuous negative and cumulative effect on the nature that surrounds us.
Are you a responsible owner?
For more information how to minimize the negative effect of your pet on wildlife please visit the following websites:BBC Nature - http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/gardenwildlife/myspace/content.shtml?41
BBC Breathing places - http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/doonething/quick/cats.shtml
RSPB - http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/cats/index.asp
Mammal Review Society (study) - http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118839928/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
