Domestic Cat Predation in California, Florida and Hawaii A Resource for Educators and Activists

Background:

Domestic cat predation on wildlife is a serious conservation issue, particularly in California, Florida, and Hawaii. These states have: (1) sensitive ecosystems endangered by urban sprawl, especially in coastal areas; (2) the greatest numbers of threatened and endangered species in the U.S.; and (3) large numbers of free-roaming owned, stray, and feral domestic cats, partly due to warm climate allowing cats to breed year-round. The following is general information on cat predation, as well as suggested activities for students. Click on the states highlighted above for information specific to those states.

Cats are a serious threat to many wildlife species because: Cats are not native to North America, therefore, our native wildlife did not evolve good defenses against this numerous, efficient predator. The domestic cat, Felis catus, is a descendant of the European and African wild cat Felis silvestris. Domesticated in Egypt around 2,000 BC, cats were introduced to North America when European settlers arrived. Cats may be the most widespread terrestrial carnivore on earth. There are over 90 million pet cats in the U.S., making cats the most popular pet in the country. There may be an additional 100 million stray and feral cats in the U.S. 

Cats have huge advantages over native predators. Being well-fed, they are not vulnerable to changes in prey populations. In addition, pet cats are more protected from diseases, predation, competition, and starvation--factors that control native predators. 

Unaltered cats are prolific breeders. In states with warm climates, a female cat can have up to three litters per year, with four to eight kittens per litter. Unlike many native predators, cats are not strictly territorial, keeping members of their own species out of a given area. As a result, cats can exist at much higher densities and may out-compete native predators for food. 

Unvaccinated free-roaming cats can spread deadly diseases to wild cats and other wildlife, such as rabies, feline leukemia and distemper. Cats are the most common carriers of rabies among domestic animals.

What do cats kill?

Extensive studies of domestic cats show that approximately 60 to 70 percent of cats' prey are small mammals, 20 to 30 percent are birds, and the remainder are amphibians, reptiles, and insects. However, the number and type of animals killed by cats varies, depending on the individual cat, time of year, and availability of prey. Birds can comprise 100 percent of cats' prey on seabird islands. Rural cats take more prey than suburban or urban cats. Birds that nest or feed on the ground, such as the Piping Plover, Least Tern and California Quail are the most susceptible to cat predation.

Cats on islands and habitat islands: Some island bird populations evolved in the absence of mammalian predators, and have no defenses against them. The introduction of domestic cats to an island can result in the elimination of entire bird populations. Cats are responsible for the extinction of at least eight island bird species in New Zealand alone. Cats can also have significant impacts on local wildlife populations, especially in habitat "islands" such as suburban and urban parks, wildlife refuges, and other habitats that are surrounded by human development.

Well-fed cats and cats with bells: Even well-fed cats kill birds and other wildlife. A cat's hunting instinct is independent of the urge to eat. Studies show that bells on collars are not effective in preventing cats from killing animals. Birds do not necessarily associate the sound of a bell with danger, and cats with bells can learn to silently stalk their prey. Even if the bell rings, it offers no protection to young animals.

What about animals that escape?: Small animals injured by cats die unless they are taken to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Cats carry bacteria and viruses in their mouths and on their claws, some of which can infect a small animal quickly. An animal may also die from internal hemorrhaging or injury to vital organs caused by a cat attack.

Resources and Activities for Educators Cat Indoors!

Educator's Guide for Grades K-6. This award-winning guide includes six activities in language arts, science, math, social studies, and art which teach children that cats and wildlife are safer if cats are kept indoors. Additional activities are:

Participate in the National Keep Your Cat Indoors Day children's poster competition, held in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day on the second Saturday in May. Click on the highlight above for more details. Deadline for entries is May 1.

Call your local humane society or animal shelter and ask the following questions. How many cats are brought to the facility each year? How many are adopted? How many are euthanized? Is there a free-roaming cat overpopulation problem in your community? If so, conduct a campaign to educate the public that cats, wildlife, and people benefit when cats are spayed or neutered, kept indoors, and never abandoned. For a directory of humane societies and animal shelters near you, see the National Shelter Directory.

Visit or write your county or city government officials. What laws exist regarding cats? Are they enforced? Make your officials aware of the cat overpopulation problem in your community and ask for their help in solving it.

Take a field trip to your nearest nature center or ask a wildlife rehabilitator to give a presentation to your students. Are cats threatening wildlife in your community? Offer to help the facility in educating visitors or in caring for wildlife.

Publish an article about cat predation on wildlife and hazards to free-roaming cats in your school newsletter. Include the Cats Indoors! Public Service Announcements or downloadable posters available on the ABC Web site. Link your school Web site to the ABC Web site and Cats Indoors! Web page.

Ask your students to write a story on all the hazards an outdoor cat faced and how it was happy to be moved indoors.

Ask your students to make a display on birds and keeping cats indoors for your school, public library, or nature center.

Have your students create a puppet show or do a skit for school on the benefits of keeping cats indoors.

If you have other ideas to share, please contact us.