First my guns, now my CATS? Smithsonian experts agree, cats are Thrill-Killers!

spiegel online, by marco evers, plus other sources | san rafael blue

[San Rafael Blue]

Look around on the Net. In the last few weeks, a new fad has come to fore; the belief that CATS ARE BAD for natures balance. All of a sudden there are articles written that say that according to specialists, Cats are not simply the furry pets we've come to cuddle or avoid, depending on the person. Cats, especially domesticated cats, present an ever creeping danger to the safety of birds.

A New Zealand report asks the question; Where have they gone? Where are the species formerly common to this region? Almost gone, are the Kaka, the Wika, Kokako,and the Kiwi, says Gareth Morgan, a businessman and phianthropist. Mr. Morgan refers back to recent American reports from the Smithsonian Conservatory.

The Smithsonian has given a concluding assessment of damages now wrought by the undisciplined feline. Smithsonian representative Mr. Scott Loss speculates; There are approx. 84 million house licensed cats plus over 30 million stray cats to consider. These kill from 1.4 Billion to as much as 3.7 Billion U.S. birds A YEAR!

My first response is five-fold; a. All creatures eventually do go extinct, even ours will someday. b. Even if this estimate is true, does that mean the cats perform a service of sorts, keeping the bird population from exploding. A huge bird population would put much pollution in our natural waters, I would think. A huge bird count also takes away from bugs and worms that our fish buddies could be snacking on. c. Who is REALLY behind this new fashionable snub of the cat? I think it's some org like PETA, who does not think we humans should have any kind of pet any kind of way from the start. d. More unwanted 'Bloom-berging' or snooping into or lives, ready to create yet another government agency with a case of Chronic Giantism. e. Stay out of my life with your government strife!!

[Slings and Arrows]

Ferel cats are very bad.

[Slings and Arrows]

[Slings and Arrows]

Looks like Kitteh feels the same way about his hoomin.

[fattigermaster]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

Can’t be too careful. ;^)

[boatbums]

My two indoor only kittehs have made the spider population inside my house extinct...and that’s a GOOD thing. ;o)

[boatbums]

Our neighborhood has a few resident red-shouldered hawks and it is a virtual ghost town at our feeders if they are nearby. Once they move on, somehow the word gets out and the feeding frenzy starts up again. We have right now a ton of finches (gold and purple), house finches, wrens, tufted titmouse, warblers, nuthatches, four different types of woodpeckers, juncos and cardinals, even a few doves. I have to fill the feeder every other day. Though I hate the idea that feral kittehs are out there having to fend for themselves, we shouldn't blame them for things other animals are actually doing. Cats are awesome hunters but I think they'd sooner go after a mouse than a bird. Mice can't fly - neither can kittehs.

[boatbums]

Let’s face it, birds are not the smartest animals. When we used to live on a boat, many boaters used to keep fake owls perched in the rigging to discourage the sea gulls from making themselves at home and crapping all over the deck. What was hilarious was seeing these “owls” after some time with their eyes gouged or picked out. I guess the sea birds thought if the owl couldn’t see them, they were safe!

[boatbums]

Those mean, vicious kittehs....we need a kinder, gentler pet. One that will respect the needs of the birds and be more sensitive. /s

[Daffynition]

What in the world are they talking about?

[San Rafael Blue]

Sounds like bluejays. They can become quite aggressive and crabby when out of almonds!

[Slings and Arrows]

[Daffynition]

I can't talk now....my mouth is full. :)

[Bon mots]

Cats spread toxoplasmosis which affects a significant portion of the population and causes psychological changes in humans.

It is likely that people affected become liberals.
Not a joke.

[BuffaloJack]

My wife was upset that our cat regularly dined on the local birds. She put a bell on the cat’s collar and he was unable to sneak up on his prey and catch them. After a few weeks, however, the wife noticed an increase in the white splotches that peppered her car. The bell is now gone and the car is again free of poop spots.

[CatherineofAragon]

LOL...love that cat’s expression.

[EggsAckley]

My two fuszzies get 3 to 4 rats per week. The occasional song bird upsets me, but keeping the rodent population at bay pretty much makes it worth it. Living on 33 acres invites a lot of unwanted visitors.

[To Hell With Poverty]

FROM MY COLD DEAD LAP!!!

[jdub]

trapping then releasing them has a better positive pressure on other species. this way territories are inhabited by non breeders

[jdub]

https://eservices.tncourts.gov/Account/LogOn

That's good, because other than that one cheesy film; The Thing, there doesn't seem to be any other roll predators.