For those Birding-aussers who still celebrate their cats. Of course,
both the cats and them need to be desexed!
Let's start a campaign.
DESEX CAT SUPPORTERS.
Glen Ingram
Brisbane, Australia
"He whose laugh lasts, laughs last."
>----------
>From: Richard Danca[SMTP:
>Sent: Friday, 26 September 1997 9:50AM
>To:
>Subject: [BIRDCHAT] It's official: Free-running cats kill birds
>
>WASHINGTON (Reuter) -- For the sake of birds, small wildlife and your
>cat, keep your cat indoors, animal welfare groups said Wednesday.
>
>Launching a national awareness campaign, the Humane Society of the
>United States (HSUS) and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) held a news
>conference to try to persuade cat owners that their pets will live
>longer, healthier lives indoors.
>
>And hundreds of millions of birds and other wildlife killed each year by
>cats will be spared.
>
>"Our message is simple: free roaming cats kill birds and other wildlife,
>spread disease, and suffer themselves," George Fenwick, ABC president,
>said in a statement.
>
>"Outdoor cats are run over by cars, mauled by dogs, poisoned, and lost
>by the millions every year. The suffering endured by cats and birds is
>all the more tragic because it is unnecessary," John Grundy, HSUS senior
>vice president, said.
>
>A four-year study by scientists at the University of Wisconsin estimated
>that free-roaming cats kill at least 7.8 million and possibly up to 217
>million birds a year in Wisconsin. Just one rural cat may kill more than
>100 animals in a year, according to the study cited by the animal
>advocacy groups.
>
>As non-native predators without a natural niche in the ecosystem, cats
>may beat out native predators such as owls and raptors. Isolated
>remaining fragments of wildlife habitat become easy hunting grounds for
>cats, the groups said.
>
>But while cats are generally successful hunters, outdoor pets typically
>just live two to five years, falling victim to poisons, automobiles and
>other hazards, they said.
>
>"This campaign is not cats versus birds; it's cats and birds. Cats'
>needs can be accommodated indoors, and the kindest thing to do for our
>cats is to keep them indoors," Martha Armstrong, HSUS vice president for
>companion animals, said.
>
>In addition to urging pet owners to keep their cats indoors, the
>campaign will try to discourage people from feeding strays unless they
>intend to adopt them and keep them indoors, and encourage humane removal
>of cats from areas protected for wildlife.
>
>Copyright 1997 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
>
>
>
>
>--
>===
>Richard Danca, Newton, Mass.
>===
>
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