Pet Cats V. Birds.

[sapelesam]

The RSPCA estimate there are 8 million cats in the UK. I have 20 bird feeders in my garden and the decline in once common birds is disturbing. I record species and numbers for one hour every week. I can usually see about four feeders at once. The domestic cat is widely reported, along with changing farming practices as the reason behind this decline. Should a law be enacted to force cat owners to keep their pets indoors. I know this will be tough but maybe give five years notice of the change for cats to be acclimatised. What do you think?

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Clearly the cat population is out of control in the UK and is affecting other native species as well as causing this imbalance of our natural ecosystems. One solution could be a ban on cats similar to the ban on keeping rabbits in Australia (giving 5 years notice of the ban could be too long, as the cat population could have increased at least another million by then, and some of our already endangered bird species may well then be extinct.) Otherwise a nationwide cull of cats may be the only humane answer or at least an introduction of a compulsory family planning programme to keep the amourous cats from reproducing willy nilly. Do you know if the natural rodent populations have been affected by this feline explosion? If I were you, I would definitely be thinking of investing in another 10 to 15 bird feeders too, just on case.

[sapelesam]

Feeders are cheap, food is damned expensive.

[ladybirder]

IMO cats should be kept in at night especially during spring when they target fledgelings at sunrise which are an easy target as they are not 'streetwise'. That would be a good start. You can buy a cat flap that you can set so that once a cat comes in after a certain set time, say 8pm in the evening, and it can't get out again until whatever time you decide in the morning. Cats soon get used to it, mine did.
Also, a collar that snaps free when caught on anything, with as big a bell as you can find to give the birds some warning time, should be worn.
Bird feeders in gardens are of course a target for birds and therefore cats, so the feeders should be placed carefully, high up and near a tree or a bush so a bird can seek protection in the foliage.
Anything that might save the lives of our lovely song birds is worth a try. Lots are on the RSPB's Red list as endangered. Cats are not on anyone's endangered list.

[Toorak]

My two are only allowed out during the day and both are collared and belled. They catch few birds - and those they do are, I suspect, already vulnerable. I would be very happy to keep my cats indoors - but they would not!

[sapelesam]

I hate the fact that I'm totally responsible for what my dogs do yet cat owners get off Scot free. Don't get me started on what they do to my garden, my life's work, well 30 years.

[ladybirder]

Good for you Toorak, me too.

[gness]

I only once had a cat on my property in my years in Calgary.....
A bylaw stated that cats must be confined to the owner's property which of course meant keeping cats indoors...though some folk did walk them on a leash.....

It worked really well and much as I like cats I like birds much more so I'd be happy to see that bylaw in place here....x

[murraymints]

Miaow miaow miaow.....hiss !

[Toorak]

We have a huge variety of birds on our garden (we love birds) but avoid any feeding arrangements that make the birds vulnerable. This year we had blackbirds and cats co- habiting happily: the birds and cats seemed to have an unspkoken (tweeted?) understanding to ignore each other.

[237SJ]

8 million cats in the UK - that's 8 cats per person. I don't believe that for a minute.

[ladybirder]

gness I have never mastered the art of walking a cat on a lead and I must say I have only rarely seen it done. I've tried it a few times with two cats and both immediately lay on their sides and played dead and stayed that way until I removed the lead. It was funny though;-)

[sapelesam]

237sj, what are you talking about, 1 million population !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Toorak]

I have enough nail inflicted scars without having to try to get my cats into a harness to walk them on a lead

[Toorak]

I think you'll find that you op says 8 million

[237SJ]

Just realised I worded that wrong. I don`t belive there are 8 mil cats in the UK (not domestic cats anyway) Maybe taking strays into account.

[sapelesam]

237SJ, Live UK population as of 1 minute ago, 66,291,804.

[sapelesam]

It's approx 1 cat for every eight and half people. Seems plausible. I got the 8 million from the RSPCA.

[Mamyalynne]

https://media.rspca.org.uk/media/facts

[Mamyalynne]

The figures were higher 10 or so years ago.

I've never owned a cat (or been owned by one as I'm told is correct).

My Daughter has 2 and they're lovely and are both house cats.

[sapelesam]

Thanks Mamya, that's where I got the 8 million.