Bird lovers. Nationwide, a massive fight is under way between cat lovers and bird lovers who say wild cats are nonnatural predators threatening bird species and other critters. The battle has become especially heated in Florida, where pending legislation could affect the way feral cat colonies are managed.
This month, the issue caused problems at two recognizable publications after an Audubon writer wrote a shocking op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel. Colonies of feral cats thrive all over the world -- under the 17th Street bridge in Fort Lauderdale or in stately Palm Beach -- and this creates problems for municipalities that must decide how to deal with them.
It calls for cats to be captured, taken to a vet, implanted with a chip, neutered, then freed. Theoretically, this lets the current generation of wild cats roam free but ensures they can't produce heirs. But the cat-loving crowd took a hit in January when a report was released , based on the work of scientists at the Smithsonian and the U. The report said that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.
Cat lovers decried this report as fear-mongering, anti-cat PR , but in Florida, the report could influence a piece of legislation that's kicking around Tallahassee.
It would establish that community cat programs that practice TNR would not be guilty of abandonment or unlawful release. Last week, it passed the agriculture committee in the House by a vote. A companion bill has been filed in the Senate. On March 14, an Audubon writer and accomplished environmental journalist named Ted Williams contributed a column in the Orlando Sentinel describing TNR as a "dangerous, cruel, and illegal practice.
Feral cats infect Florida panthers with feline leukemia, he wrote, and they kill migratory birds and endangered species including lower Keys marsh rabbits and silver rice rats. The shooter must be satisfied that each animal is dead before another is targeted. Wounded cats must be located and killed as quickly and humanely as possible with a second shot preferably directed to the head.
If left, wounded animals can suffer from the disabling effects of the injury, from sickness due to infection of the wound, from pain created by the wound or from thirst or starvation if unable to drink or capture food. To minimise the animal welfare implications of leaving dependant kittens to die a slow death from starvation, it is preferable not to undertake shooting when females are lactating eg September to March in non-urban habitats.
There is a high probability that any female cat over six months old that is caught during this time will be pregnant or lactating. If lactating females are shot, efforts should be made to find dependent kittens and kill them quickly and humanely.
Litters may be found near to the trap site in the base of hollow tree trunks, among boulders etc. Impact on non-target animals Shooting is relatively target specific and does not usually impact on other species.
Only shoot at the target animal once it has been positively identified and never shoot over the top of hills or ridges as other animals or people may be out of sight beyond the hill in the danger zone. Health and safety considerations Firearms are potentially hazardous. All people should stand well behind the shooter when an animal is being shot. The line of fire must be chosen to prevent accidents or injury from stray bullets or ricochets.
Shooting from a vehicle is potentially dangerous. An agreed safety procedure between the shooter and others in the vehicle must be in place to ensure that people do not enter the field of fire or disturb the taking of a shot. Firearm users must strictly observe all relevant safety guidelines relating to firearm ownership, possession and use.
Firearms must be securely stored in a compartment that meets State legal requirements. Ammunition must be stored in a locked container separate from firearms.
Adequate hearing protection should be worn by the shooter and others in the immediate vicinity of the shooter. Repeated exposure to firearm noise can cause irreversible hearing damage.
Safety glasses are recommended to protect the eyes from gases, metal fragments and other particles. Warm, comfortable clothing and stout footwear is recommended, especially when shooting at night. Care must be taken when handling feral cat carcasses as they may carry diseases such as toxoplasmosis, ringworm and sarcosporidiosis that can affect humans and other animals.
Routinely wash hands after handling all carcasses. Equipment required Firearms and ammunition Small bore, high velocity, centre fire rifles fitted with a telescopic sight are preferred eg. Hollow-point or soft-nosed ammunition should always be used. Rimfire weapons with lower muzzle energy are not recommended because of the greater risk of non-lethal wounding. The accuracy and precision of firearms should be tested against inanimate targets prior to the commencement of any shooting operation.
Other equipment if shooting at night, a handheld spotlight at least watt , or a helmet or headband mounted 12 volt 35 watt spotlight fox whistle for making artificial rabbit distress calls , if desired first aid kit lockable firearm box lockable ammunition box Procedures Identification of feral cats Feral cats are similar in appearance to domestic cats; however when in good physical condition, the feral cat has increased overall muscle development, which is especially noticeable around the head, neck and shoulders, giving the animal a more robust appearance.
If it seems likely the stray cat is a domestic pet that just happens to be wandering, you may already recognize the pet, or it may have a collar and identification tags that allow you to contact its owner. Be reasonable but firm about the problems this pet causes in your yard. Pet owners have a responsibility to control their animals, and most owners will respect this. You may, however, need to firmly indicate that calling animal control is an option if the problem continues.
Most communities staff animal control specialists who will address wild animals or loose domestic animals that are causing danger or nuisance. The degree of involvement varies depending on your community. Some agencies will actually take measures to trap and remove a true feral cat; others will come pick one up if you have trapped it yourself.
Spring-loaded humane traps can be effective for catching feral cats that can then be turned over to wildlife control officials or local shelters and rescues. Place traps in areas where the cats frequent and bait them with appropriate food or appetizing scents. Be aware, though, that you may trap a different creature, such as a raccoon or opossum. A feral cat's territory usually extends well beyond a single yard. Talk to neighbors about the problems with feral cats and encourage them to take similar steps to discourage unwelcome visitors.
Neighborhoods that work together generally have fewer problems with feral cats. No matter how problematic feral cats may be in the yard, there are certain techniques that should never be used to keep these unwanted visitors away, including:. These techniques are difficult to control, and using them against feral cats can violate local laws. Furthermore, because these methods are unpredictable, using them can have negative consequences against unintentional targets such as neighbors' outdoor pets or other wildlife.
It is always wise to take steps to protect backyard birds from cats by choosing safe birdhouses and feeders, avoiding ground feeding , and providing safe cover for birds to take shelter. By protecting the birds and using different tactics to discourage any feral or stray cats, it is possible to keep feral cats out of your yard and ensure birds are safe.
A stray cat—whether it is simply a wandering local domestic house cat or a true feral that has bred in the wild—will be drawn to your yard because it has features the cat finds attractive.
In the case of the typical house cat, this means the creature is able to find food, water, and shelter. Bird-lovers who have positioned birdhouses, bird feeders, and watering stations may find that neighborhood cats come in droves to hunt birds. Preventing stray cats from spending time in your yard is largely a matter of denying them the habitat they prefer and creating an environment that is actively hostile to them.
It is important to use several techniques to keep feral and stray cats out of your yard. While one tactic may be effective against one cat, using several techniques can be more effective to keep other stray and feral cats from moving in when the first cat has moved out. Other options include:. Although feral cats are sometimes regarded as vermin, especially in rural areas where they can become quite plentiful, it is a violation of animal cruelty laws in virtually every jurisdiction to wound or deliberately kill a domestic species such as Felis catus, the common house cat.
Only animal control agencies are authorized to painlessly euthanize domestic species, even animals that roam as feral creatures. Well, that depends on who you ask. Many scientists in government agencies and private research institutions argue for a cull : a coordinated effort to trap and euthanize as many feral cats as possible.
To any cat owner, however, that plan is a hard sell. A feral cat colony. Source: United Press International. Until early civilizations domesticated wild cats around 10, years ago , small felines like lynx or ocelots existed in very low numbers in their natural environs. Now they do. Vocal feral cat advocacy groups, however, reject the very notion of culling efforts. Their solution? The TNR model is just that: trap feral cats, neuter or spay them, and return them to the environment.
A feral cat can have up to three litters or a dozen kittens per year, so spaying a single female can have a big impact on reducing cat numbers.
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