What Is The Biggest Threat To Small Wildlife In This Country?

[10ClarionSt]

Modern farming techniques? Urban development? No. It's the domestic cat. They kill small wildlife just for the pleasure of it. My MP, Liz McInnes, posted on FB yesterday that we should all donate to the Cats Protection League. What an idiot. She should be concentrating on more important issues. Cats serve no purpose whatsoever.

[murraymints]

you need a rest too Tony

[hereIam]

Mmm I'm torn on this one. I do prefer dogs to cats, but I had a sweet little kitty once who never hunted anything in her life, except I saw her stalking a butterfly once and she stopped when I told her to. I think the cat owners who 'brag' about the poor wildlife their cats hunt and drag through the cat flap to bring home are pathetic. Some of that wildlife may have young and if the parent is killed, the young will die too - nothing to brag about. I would never, ever hurt a cat (any animal in fact), but I wish I knew what the answer was.

[TonyV]

Might get another rescue dog when Jens home excuse for needing walks xxx

[murraymints]

hereiam..there is no answer it is nature....

[TonyV]

I now Minty just finding the whole thing stressful, I just want Jen home and well.

[murraymints]

in good and proper time !

[wolf63]

Cats Protection is the main Cat charity in the UK. They rehome thousands of cats each year - some as domestic pets but some, the ones who are still quite wild, go to farms where they keep the rodents under control.

They catch, neuter and release cats from feral colonies. (they know that killing off an entire colony only results in another one moving in). And they also feed and visit these colonies.

So - like cats or not the charity is a worthy one to donate money to.

[TonyV]

Yes Minty I know and try to tell myself that but it's getting more difficult as days pass by xxx

[woofgang]

dogs completely controlled? I just read this out to my two and they laughed so much they were sick.

[TonyV]

No link attached

[ladybirder]

I repeat this every time the point about cats killing wildlife comes up on AB and I have no idea if anyone takes any notice but here we go again. Unless you keep your cat in you can't stop it but you can reduce it by doing the following. Put the biggest loudest bell you can on your cat's collar as this will give the birds etc a warning and chance to escape. Secondly, keep them in at night, which is when they are most likely to be killing our wildlife. You can do this by getting a catflap which can be set to let puss in but not out again after a certain time. Also make sure they are hungry and feed them when they come in. Especially keep them in during early mornings in the spring when fledglings, who aren't streetwise, are about.
Many birds are on the endangered list, cats aren't!

[ladybirder]

And this link from the RSPB tells you how many birds and mammals are killed by cats in the UK alone.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/animal-deterrents/cats-and-garden-birds/are-cats-causing-bird-declines/

[dunnitall]

@ SparklyKid 14:35. .... I am offended by your post. I do not own a cat but used to a few yrs back. I am an old fart that's for sure...so in your opinion cats are graded with old people who neither contribute anything to society. Thanks mate....whether you are young or just being contentious and are trying to appear so.....it ain't nice!

I respect your opinion BUT NOT THE RIGHT to express it when you know it may offend others! Hope you never grow old and have no purpose.... Oh boy.... Hope you find out with ill health and disability, life ain't grand. I don't give a fig for anyone like you, not being able to at least consider others. Have a nice whatever you celebrate and let's hope for you 2019 it may give you some thought to what others feel. Not holding me breath!

[Old_Geezer]

Cats have always been around. Are they any more risk now than they have been ? But farming techniques and urban spraw has changed/grown. And urban spraw houses more cats.

As for legit charities, each are entitled to support those they choose.

[rowanwitch]

Sigh, pesticides, monoculture, loss of hedgerows and field margins, over wintered crops, the increase in the corvid populations due to the fall in numbers of apex predators, grassy areas being mown to keep humans happy, and more efficient harvesting of grass and grain... shall I go on.

Btw your comment about old people was ill advised and offensive.

[rowanwitch]

Last bit was aimed at Sparkly kid who is rapidly tarnishing.

[emmie]

i love cats and yes they do kill lots of wildlife, but many people especially the elderly need the comfort that a cat may bring.

[waterboatman]

Badgers, foxes.