To keep cats from killing nesting bluebirds and their young, Peterson suggests mounting bluebird houses on a steel pole or a wooden rod covered by PVC pipe. As an added measure, Peterson recommends mixing extra-hot pepper sauce with grease and putting it on the pole. If you use a hot enough pepper, it won't come back. In addition to killing birds, free-ranging domestic cats also rob food from native predators such as foxes, snakes, and raccoons. Wildlife officials believe the only way to reduce the damage to birds by free-ranging cats is for cat owners to keep their pets indoors.
Many municipalities currently have ordinances that require cats to be kept indoors or on a leash.
However, these measures are rarely enforced, causing some bird fans to take matters into their own hands. Cat owners might consider such measures extreme. But bird supporters say that something must be done to prevent cats from killing wildlife that's already under siege. As we try to save their habitat, it only makes sense to make sure that birds aren't being killed by our pets. Prevent your pet from becoming a predator Joan Galli likes cats but only indoors.