A new program directed towards cat owners and other feline enthusiasts has been launched by the Seattle Audubon Society to protect wildlife and the environment. Many Americans continue to allow their cats to roam freely, with disturbing effects to the environment and to the cats themselves.
Research shows that cats impact wildlife far more than is generally realized.
A University of Wisconsin study found that U.S. cats kill millions of birds and over one billion small mammals annually. However, both casual observation and scientific research show that procedures such as belling have no effect in preventing wildlife kills. Cats are skilled and stealthy hunters who often learn how to silence bells, while birds and other wildlife rarely recognize a bell as an alarm signal. Helen Ross, Seattle Audubon Conservation Coordinator, says keeping cats indoors is one of the most effective actions a pet owner can take to support wildlife. Cats have an inborn desire to hunt wild animals, whether or not they have a home and adequate food supply.