Dogs and Cats roaming around a bluebird’s nest box is a sure reason for nest abandonment. This is definitely a topic that needs to be address. And during my seminars I always express my opinion that this is really a people problem. Do not take your frustrations out on the dog or cat but the owner instead. Dogs and Cat should not be out doors freely roaming the yards or fields. If dogs and cats are roaming your property you as the property owner have the right to deal with the situation. I am sure I will hear from many concerning this sensitive topic that I am about to address.
Dogs in Pennsylvania have a leash law. All dogs outside must be on a leash or tied. Period! Call your local City or Twp. building in your area, and ask for your local dog enforcement officer’s number. Cats in Pennsylvania have no leash law. Many city and county animal control agencies are mandated only to deal with dogs - not cats. For decades cats have remained untouchable. In most Townships the animal control person won't come out to collect these cats as they say cats are considered "free roaming animals" Therefore landowners are left to deal with the problem themselves.
A wildlife rehabilitator will conclude that 90% of all birds’ injury is caused by cats, and 10%. by dogs. This fact alone indicates leash laws are effective in lowering injuries to wildlife. No one knows exactly how many birds are killed by cats and dogs each year but estimates run in the hundreds of millions. One Michigan survey indicated one cat can kill on an average 1.4 birds per week. Research in Wisconsin reports that free ranging rural cats may be killing up to 219 million birds in the state. Many are native songbirds whose populations are already stressed by a host of factors including development, habitat destruction and pesticide pollution. Wisconsin now has a law, if you have a hunting license you may shoot cats in the field. The domesticated cat is now so common in the United States that many people do not realize they are an alien species. Cats were domesticated in Egypt more than 4,000 years ago and now the most widespread alien predator in the world. Domesticated cats are considered primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 bird species worldwide. There are at least 100 million pet cats in the United States, and perhaps an equal number of stray and feral cats. It is worthy to note that next to habitat loss, outdoor cats are considered the most serious threat to songbird’s population worldwide. I ask why? Why haven’t our Government, our States and at Local levels passed ordinances pertaining to cats, if not for the sake of wildlife, then for the sake of the public’s health.
You maybe thinking I might have a vendetta against cats, not at all. I just know what they are capable of when roaming free. There all many good pet owners that are responsible people and they care about wildlife and respect of their neighbors and the health of their pets. It’s always a few that make it a people problem.
Dogs in Pennsylvania have a leash law. All dogs outside must be on a leash or tied. Period! Call your local City or Twp. building in your area, and ask for your local dog enforcement officer’s number. Cats in Pennsylvania have no leash law. Many city and county animal control agencies are mandated only to deal with dogs - not cats. For decades cats have remained untouchable. In most Townships the animal control person won't come out to collect these cats as they say cats are considered "free roaming animals" Therefore landowners are left to deal with the problem themselves.
A wildlife rehabilitator will conclude that 90% of all birds’ injury is caused by cats, and 10%. by dogs. This fact alone indicates leash laws are effective in lowering injuries to wildlife. No one knows exactly how many birds are killed by cats and dogs each year but estimates run in the hundreds of millions. One Michigan survey indicated one cat can kill on an average 1.4 birds per week. Research in Wisconsin reports that free ranging rural cats may be killing up to 219 million birds in the state. Many are native songbirds whose populations are already stressed by a host of factors including development, habitat destruction and pesticide pollution. Wisconsin now has a law, if you have a hunting license you may shoot cats in the field. The domesticated cat is now so common in the United States that many people do not realize they are an alien species. Cats were domesticated in Egypt more than 4,000 years ago and now the most widespread alien predator in the world. Domesticated cats are considered primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 bird species worldwide. There are at least 100 million pet cats in the United States, and perhaps an equal number of stray and feral cats. It is worthy to note that next to habitat loss, outdoor cats are considered the most serious threat to songbird’s population worldwide. I ask why? Why haven’t our Government, our States and at Local levels passed ordinances pertaining to cats, if not for the sake of wildlife, then for the sake of the public’s health.
You maybe thinking I might have a vendetta against cats, not at all. I just know what they are capable of when roaming free. There all many good pet owners that are responsible people and they care about wildlife and respect of their neighbors and the health of their pets. It’s always a few that make it a people problem.
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