I noticed a couple of weeks ago that I only had one pair of Morning Doves in the back yard this spring, and I began to think about it and realized that the Blue Jay pair that has come to my yard in the past was gone as well.
I do have two pairs of Cardinals, and I think the Mrs. is setting on a nest already as the girls haven't been to the corn in about a week.
Noticing the decline in my regular crew of songbirds I became concerned that the feral cat population was on the rise once again, so I kept my eyes out to see if I spotted any. Sure enough I spoke with my neighbor and she said she had seen what looked to be a pregnant Tabbie in her yard and when spooked it ran under her house. Then the very next night I saw a yellow Tom running into my garage.
So I called Worcester County Animal Control yesterday morning. The told me they would be out this morning to set the traps, and they were.
Low and behold by 4 this afternoon two cats were captured. The two previously mentioned suspects in fact.
Being an animal lover this entire scenario makes me nuts; but I can't allow the wildlife to fall prey to a domesticated animal that has no predator.
Over the last century North America alone has lost more species of songbirds than I really even want to think about and the one of the biggest reason is irresponsible pet owners letting their cats outside. Of course our globalized grocery store has played a very important part in killing thousands of migratory songbirds because being able to buy a fresh watermelon in Salisbury in December is just not normal. Latin American countries uses pesticides that the US outlawed years ago, and their application methods are unmonitored. Thus destroying thousands of birds yearly. But until we loose our taste for out of season fruits and vegetables I don't see this problem going away anytime soon.
A question that has been asked of us all lately is 'What can I personally do to help better the planet'?
I know I may step on some cat lovers toes, but the fact of the matter is a domestic cat has no enemies. Domestic cats are natural predators. They are beautiful creatures that God has blessed us with for companionship, however a cat will; no matter how much they are fed, if let out will kill up to two times per day. In the morning and in the evening. Their prey? Songbirds, and wild rabbits, especially baby rabbits in the nest.
It is unfortunate, but as sweet and loving as they are when in our laps. When let out it is their nature to kill and not even usually eat but bring the dead animal to it's owner as a present.
As pet owners, no matter what the pet is we must take into consideration what type of temperament it possesses and work with it, and not allow the pet to engage in destructive behavior.
If a pit bull came into a yard and killed a critter in a vicious attack, many people would find that appalling and disgusting. I personally don't see the difference. It is imperative to look a the big picture of not only our impact on the environment but also those of our pets.
Please don't take it personally if you are a cat person, but please do consider the nature of the animal, and take care not to let them outside.
Below is a chart that I found that shows how imperative our vigilance is:
10 comments:
My dog would eat a cat so the nature of the beast.
I have never had one that could catch a cat. You know the tree climbing skill thing.
Dare I say...Good Puppy!
Jazzy is going to be so upset.
He likes mice better :D
When I pulled in the driveway last night; Jazzy was visiting the captors and giving his condolences.
Dear Ms. Wymzie,
My Mommy Jen lets me out and I sit right under the birdfeeders and wait for one to fall into my gaping maw. I have never gotten one, probably due to the fact that I eat far too many kitty treats and weigh 18 pounds with tiny legs. I promise I will never eat a birdie even if one does come down to my level and beg for it. Please don't hate me.
Love,
Cassie (the watermelon on sticks)
I don't hate the kitties I get mad a kitties parents.
I had cats years ago and for some reason after about four years after moving hear I became very allergic to them.
However, as a girl my grandfather told me stories about the songbirds that were here when he was a boy. His favorite the Carolina Parrakeet.
The only North American native parrot.
Even after hearing the stories I still wanted a kitty really badly.
He sternly warned me to keep it inside and have it declawed. So I did and I did. One late afternoon while visiting him, he and I were sitting outside on the swing watching a couple of rabbits eating the evening clover. He was telling me about the nest of baby rabbits he had found in the tall grass by the Christmas Tree patch, not 30 seconds later a big tom came swaggering across the yard with a dead baby bunny hanging from it's mouth he walked it across the street and placed it on the neighbors door step.
I'll never forget that as long as I live, I never let my cat again.
Wymzie
Sorry about Cassie getting to the computer while I was at work ;)
For the record, both of my cats are declawed and 90% indoor cats. They only go out when I am in the yard with them. I love my birds dearly and would never jeapordize their little feathered lives. Perhaps we can sit Holy Sh!t near your feeders to protect your birdies? :)
Jen
Jen,
Cassie's comment was cute, I just wanted to clarify for everyone.
I'm so often misunderstood, so I feel obliged to extrapolate my thoughts.
I would love to have 'Holy Sh*t' as a pet, but I'm afraid I would no longer qualify for homeowners insurance.
The last dog I had liked to play 'catch me if you can' with traffic and it ended up costing me over $2,500 bucks!
OUCH! I know how you feel, I have a $1600.00 "free" kitten. It's easy to say "I would never spend that much money on an animal" but when they are hurting and need help you just have to pull out the plastic.
On a brighter note, anyone had their first hummer? I used to have tons in Eden but apprently they don't care for N Salisbury :(
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