Pet owners need to be responsible and take appropriate actions to ensure that their pets do not contribute to the decline of wildlife species. This means keeping pets under control at all times. Keep dogs fenced in and on leashes when outside a fenced yard. Keep your cats indoors at all times. Cats and Wildlife Cat bites transmit Pasteurella bacteria that is deadly to birds and small mammals.
Cats kill wildlife that are food for many predators such as hawks, owls, foxes, snakes, and bobcats.
Cats can transmit diseases to wild felines. You can learn more from the Corvallis Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats . Dogs and Wildlife Dogs that are left to run loose sometimes form packs and often chase and kill wildlife and livestock. In Oregon, dogs seen chasing wildlife or livestock can be legally destroyed and their owners fined. When dogs chase wildlife that may already be under stress, especially during the winter, the wild animal may use up a lot of its energy and could die.