Some people put bells on their cat s collar. But, bells are mostly ineffective in preventing predation because, even if the bell rings, its usually too late for the prey being stalked. Declawing may reduce hunting success, but many declawed cats are still effective predators. Observation of cats shows that some can kill more than 1,000 wild animals per year. Free-ranging cats living in small towns each kill an average of 14 wild animals annually.
Rural cats kill many more.
In most areas, the person who provides care for a cat is legally responsible for its welfare and control. It is usually the responsibility of the owner to control the cat s movements. Many municipalities have leash laws and require vaccination and neutering of pet cats. Because laws vary, you should check local ordinances for the appropriate way to deal with stray cats. Cats are popular pets.