Bird Flu and Cats

[SteveSxx]

Is anyone else worried about Cats and Bird Flu ?
Mine are "roamers" and often return home with birds as presents for us - so at what point are we going to have to keep our cats indoors ?

[wiggal]

That is something that i have been worried about to!
Some may think its slightly overreacting but i do worry as like you, my 6 cats like bringing me the odd pressie.
My partner has said we will take action when it is advised!

[SteveSxx]

Advise from whom though ?
the government ?
Would you trust them ?

[Noweia]

I don't think the risk is high at the moment unless you live close to the site of the current outbreak, in which case you may wish to keep your cats indoors.

[meltoadhall]

lot of hype from the media, this would be the same bird flu that last year was going to wipe out half of britain?
i have cats, i have chickens - not worried about it at all.

[lankeela]

Just said on the news that you only need to keep cats in if you live in the immediate 3 mile exclusion zone.

[naz_nomad]

Straight away .... you should be responsible for your pets at all times ...

You'd be pi$$ed if I had a dog and let it cr^p all over your garden ...

[EDLEE]

If your dog would at least try to bury it , I wouldn't mind. My neighbor's dog comes over and does his in the middle of my yard. At least the other neighber's cats hide it in the shrubbery. In truth , I'm fond of both animals, so unless I step in it I don't get very excited about either.

[lizzydrippin]

Can I suggest that you put a collar and bell on your cats that frequently bring birds home (though I should imagine that most of you have already). I have several cats and the younger ones are ******* when it comes to birds. I know its not always effective but its at least abit of a deterrent to have a collar and bell (though make sure the bell actually makes a noise cos some of them are useless, Morrissons do some good safety collars and bell for just �1-99. I do love birds and its so awful when cats kill them just for sport. We take their beautiful bird songs for granted but we'd really miss them if they werent there anymore.

[SteveSxx]

Collars can kill cats - they can get caught on branches - result hung cat

[ganesh]

Cats must find a bell incredibly irritating,a collar is bad enough. They catch the occasional bird coz that's their nature. It isn't going to affect the bird population so what's the problem.
I haven't heard any news about any cat catching bird flu,I doubt if it's possible.Don't panic. The media loves a bit of doom and gloom.