Smaller thickets, he says, can be valuable components of home landscapes. A small, safe source of water can be a magnet for wildlife, Price says. But even ideally structured landscapes may be hazardous to wildlife. Price says a major problem is roaming pets. Cats will kill just about anything, and dogs obviously like to hunt.
Price says it's wise to consider the neighborhood when planning a wildlife-friendly garden.
If your neighbors allow cats to roam free, he says, installing a feeder might draw birds and other animals to their deaths. Wildlife officials say the death toll from marauding cats can be minimized by placing feeders and baths at least 15 feet from shrubbery where cats can lurk. They also advise not stocking feeders with seeds, such as cracked corn, that attract vulnerable ground-feeding birds like doves and sparrows. Sanitation and regularity are crucial if food and water are provided for animals, Price says. Soiled birdbaths and water-soaked feed can lead to disease and death, while a steady food supply that suddenly ceases when a homeowner relocates or simply vacations can be fatally disruptive, he says.