Outside cats are not only predators but they are also competitors. Local wild predators such as foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, weasels, coyotes, bobcats, hawks, and owls rely on the native populations of prey animals to survive. Our well-fed house cats do not need to kill native prey animals to survive, but they often kill them from an instinct to hunt that is independent of the urge to eat. Overall, cats can reduce the availability of prey available for our native wildlife.