Black Swamp Bird Observatory Position Statement on Feral and Free-ranging Cats
Summary of Position
One of the most significant issues in wildlife conservation in Ohio is the impact of non-native invasive species, including domestic cats. A number of peer-reviewed studies strongly suggest that large numbers of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are killed each year by domestic cats1. Additionally, cats act as reservoirs for several diseases that can sicken humans, native wildlife, and other domestic animals, such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, bartonellosis, typhus, and feline immunodeficiency virus1. Based on this research, Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) recognizes that feral and free-ranging domestic cats pose a significant threat to Ohio’s biodiversity, as well as to human health and the welfare of other domestic animals. Therefore, as an organization dedicated to bird conservation, and as a member of the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, BSBO supports efforts to encourage pet owners to keep domestic cats indoors, opposes the establishment of feral cat colonies, and encourages additional research into solutions to mitigate the effects that feral and outdoor, unattended domestic cats have on native wildlife populations. Recommendations
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Studies on the Impact of Cats to Birds and Wildlife |
Overview of the Problem
The domestic cat (Felis catus) originated from the European and African wild cat (Felis silvestris) and is found on all 7 continents. While not native to North America, it is estimated that there are currently 148-188 million cats in the U.S. (1) Of these, an estimated 70 to 100 million are free-ranging or feral. (2,3) Because domestic cats are not a natural part of Ohio’s ecosystems, their impact on native wildlife, including birds, is dramatic. It is estimated that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.4–3.7 billion birds and 6.9–20.7 billion mammals each year in the U.S. (4) In fact, cats are likely the single greatest source of anthropogenic mortality for birds and mammals in the country (4). Importantly, even well-fed cats follow their instincts to hunt and kill wildlife. Therefore, owned or feral cats that are fed still pose a significant threat to birds and other wildlife. (5)
Free-ranging cats act as sources of dangerous diseases that have serious implications for human health. Through feces, fleas, bites, or scratches, cats have the potential to spread many diseases to humans, including rabies, tularemia, hook worms, or toxoplasmosis. (6) A recent study in Northeastern Ohio found more than half of sampled free-roaming cats were infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. (7) Of particular concern in Ohio is that the parasite can also be transferred from cats to white-tailed deer, which in turn can infect humans through foodborne infection. (7) In addition to the numerous negative impacts on Ohio’s ecosystems and public health, allowing cats to range freely outdoors is dangerous and inhumane for the cats as well. During their time outside the home, cats are at risk for vehicle trauma, predation, disease, and severe weather. (8)
Many do not receive adequate veterinary care, as a survey of Ohioans showed just 23% of those feeding free-roaming cats ever took those animals for any type of veterinary care. (9) Higher rates of injury and disease lead to a 75% mortality rate for kittens born in an outdoor environment, and a life expectancy for a feral cat that is just half that of an indoor cat. (10,11)
Managed cat colonies and trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs are often instituted to improve the quality of life for feral cats while leading to the elimination of the colony over time. Unfortunately, these programs are ineffective in reaching either of these goals. Managed cat colonies are not a humane solution for the cats because they remain in the outdoor environment where they continue to face a multitude of hazards and diseases. (12) Most importantly, TNR programs are ineffective at reducing colony population sizes over time. In almost all cases, TNR programs have failed to substantially reduce cat numbers or eliminate feral cat populations. (13) Additionally, by being returned outside to roam freely, cats in managed colonies or TNR programs can continue to hunt and are often not able to be recaptured to maintain current vaccinations. (12) Therefore, the released cats remain a threat to human health and native wildlife populations.
The domestic cat (Felis catus) originated from the European and African wild cat (Felis silvestris) and is found on all 7 continents. While not native to North America, it is estimated that there are currently 148-188 million cats in the U.S. (1) Of these, an estimated 70 to 100 million are free-ranging or feral. (2,3) Because domestic cats are not a natural part of Ohio’s ecosystems, their impact on native wildlife, including birds, is dramatic. It is estimated that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.4–3.7 billion birds and 6.9–20.7 billion mammals each year in the U.S. (4) In fact, cats are likely the single greatest source of anthropogenic mortality for birds and mammals in the country (4). Importantly, even well-fed cats follow their instincts to hunt and kill wildlife. Therefore, owned or feral cats that are fed still pose a significant threat to birds and other wildlife. (5)
Free-ranging cats act as sources of dangerous diseases that have serious implications for human health. Through feces, fleas, bites, or scratches, cats have the potential to spread many diseases to humans, including rabies, tularemia, hook worms, or toxoplasmosis. (6) A recent study in Northeastern Ohio found more than half of sampled free-roaming cats were infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. (7) Of particular concern in Ohio is that the parasite can also be transferred from cats to white-tailed deer, which in turn can infect humans through foodborne infection. (7) In addition to the numerous negative impacts on Ohio’s ecosystems and public health, allowing cats to range freely outdoors is dangerous and inhumane for the cats as well. During their time outside the home, cats are at risk for vehicle trauma, predation, disease, and severe weather. (8)
Many do not receive adequate veterinary care, as a survey of Ohioans showed just 23% of those feeding free-roaming cats ever took those animals for any type of veterinary care. (9) Higher rates of injury and disease lead to a 75% mortality rate for kittens born in an outdoor environment, and a life expectancy for a feral cat that is just half that of an indoor cat. (10,11)
Managed cat colonies and trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs are often instituted to improve the quality of life for feral cats while leading to the elimination of the colony over time. Unfortunately, these programs are ineffective in reaching either of these goals. Managed cat colonies are not a humane solution for the cats because they remain in the outdoor environment where they continue to face a multitude of hazards and diseases. (12) Most importantly, TNR programs are ineffective at reducing colony population sizes over time. In almost all cases, TNR programs have failed to substantially reduce cat numbers or eliminate feral cat populations. (13) Additionally, by being returned outside to roam freely, cats in managed colonies or TNR programs can continue to hunt and are often not able to be recaptured to maintain current vaccinations. (12) Therefore, the released cats remain a threat to human health and native wildlife populations.
Resources
- The Wildlife Society. (2011). Final Position Statement on Feral and Free-Ranging Domestic Cats.
- Levy, J.K. and P. C. Crawford. (2004). Humane strategies for controlling feral cat populations. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 225:1354–1360.
- Robertson S.J. (2008). A review of feral cat control. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 10: 366–375.
- Loss, S. R., T. Will, and P. P. Mara. (2013). The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife in the United States. Nature Communications 4:1396 (DOI:10.1038/ncomms2380).
- Adamec, R.E., and D. G. Smith. (1976). The interaction of hunger and preying in the domestic cat (Felis catus): an adaptive hierarchy? Behavioral Biology 18: 263-272.
- Gerhold, R. (2011).“Cats as Carriers of Disease: The potential to spread a host of diseases to humans and wildlife.” The Wildlife Professional 5(1): 58-61.
- Ballash, G. A., Dubey, J. P., Kwok, O. C. H., Shoben, A. B., Robison,T. L., Kraft T. J., and P. M. Dennis. (2014). Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Free-Roaming Cats (Felis catus) Across a Suburban to Urban Gradient in Northeastern Ohio. EcoHealth (DOI: 10.1007/s10393-014-0975-2).
- Jessup, D. A. (2004). The welfare of feral cats and wildlife. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 225:1377–1383.
- Lord, L. K. (2008). Attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232:1159–1167.
- Stoskopf, M.K. and F. B. Nutter. (2004). Analyzing approaches to feral cat management – one size does not fit all. . Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 225:1361–1364.
- AVMA. Position on abandoned and feral cats. In: 2003 AVMA directory and resource manual. Schaumburg, Ill: AVMA 2003;73.
- American Bird Conservancy (2011). TRAP, NEUTER, RELEASE: The Wrong Solution to a Tragic Problem.
- Longcore, T., Rich, C. and L. M. Sullivan. (2009). Critical Assessment of Claims Regarding Management of Feral Cats by Trap–Neuter–Return. Conservation Biology 23:887-894.
- Chicago Wilderness. Position Statement on Feral and Unattended Domestic Cats Outdoors.
* This Position Statement adopted from the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative’s White Paper on the subject
** The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative is a coalition of 102 non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses that share a vision for the successful conservation of birds and their habitats in Ohio. Formed in 2004, OBCI coordinates the diverse skills and resources of its partners to deliver the full spectrum of bird conservation in Ohio
** The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative is a coalition of 102 non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses that share a vision for the successful conservation of birds and their habitats in Ohio. Formed in 2004, OBCI coordinates the diverse skills and resources of its partners to deliver the full spectrum of bird conservation in Ohio
Roaming cat and outdoor feeding station ban
After months of effort, the BSBO Conservation Committee is thrilled to announce that on October 15, the Oak Harbor Village Council voted unanimously to approve legislation banning roaming cats and outdoor feeding stations.
In June 2017, the BSBO Conservation Committee convened a working group to address the disturbing number of roaming cats in the Village of Oak Harbor, Ohio. While the effort focused primarily on the risk to human health and the rights of property owners in the village, banning roaming cats has the important added benefit of saving native birds and wildlife.
BSBO presented the initial draft legislation and brought an impressive range of experts and community leaders to the working group, including a local veterinarian, attorneys, village administration and council members, local cat shelter directors, and the director of the Chamber of Commerce. The group researched legislation passed by other cities and municipalities, and presented a reasonable, well-researched, and enforceable legislation to village council. The law forbids providing a “regular” outdoor feeding or watering area, and lists persistent howling, noxious odors from defecating and urinating, and damage to vegetation among possible complaints to legally address.
This is a huge victory for bird conservation! We hope the legislation will serve as a model for other areas dealing with this serious problem.
Domestic cats make wonderful companions when kept indoors or allowed outside only when confined. When allowed to roam, they are nonnative predators that kill billions of birds each year. (Yes, billions with a B.) The more we can work towards a reasonable solution the more it benefits birds, people, and the cats, too! We hope the legislation will serve as a model for other areas dealing with this serious problem.
CLICK HERE to read the legislation in its entirety.
In June 2017, the BSBO Conservation Committee convened a working group to address the disturbing number of roaming cats in the Village of Oak Harbor, Ohio. While the effort focused primarily on the risk to human health and the rights of property owners in the village, banning roaming cats has the important added benefit of saving native birds and wildlife.
BSBO presented the initial draft legislation and brought an impressive range of experts and community leaders to the working group, including a local veterinarian, attorneys, village administration and council members, local cat shelter directors, and the director of the Chamber of Commerce. The group researched legislation passed by other cities and municipalities, and presented a reasonable, well-researched, and enforceable legislation to village council. The law forbids providing a “regular” outdoor feeding or watering area, and lists persistent howling, noxious odors from defecating and urinating, and damage to vegetation among possible complaints to legally address.
This is a huge victory for bird conservation! We hope the legislation will serve as a model for other areas dealing with this serious problem.
Domestic cats make wonderful companions when kept indoors or allowed outside only when confined. When allowed to roam, they are nonnative predators that kill billions of birds each year. (Yes, billions with a B.) The more we can work towards a reasonable solution the more it benefits birds, people, and the cats, too! We hope the legislation will serve as a model for other areas dealing with this serious problem.
CLICK HERE to read the legislation in its entirety.