VIEWPOINT

By Ken Knutsen

I was going to send the following comments to certain city officials but decided instead to address my fellow citizens.

Let me begin by quoting something I read: “Worldwide, cats (domestic and feral) have been involved in the extinction of more bird species than any other cause. Except habitat destruction.” This astonished me!

But there is more. Here, briefly, is data from research I’ve done on this matter. There are an estimated 60 million pet cats in the U.S. (30% of households), of which about 40 million are unsupervised all or part of the time. It’s likely that there are another 40-60 million wild (feral) cats, bringing the numbers to about 100 million. And the populations continue to increase. Although the statistics are shaky, common sense and experience put the number of birds killed by cats as high as 100 million; perhaps even
higher!

Now, I am myself the owner of two pet cats of whom I am very fond. They (and many others for whom I found homes) were wild kittens when I captured them, saving most from oblivion.

I keep the rascals indoors. Why? To save them from being savaged by coyotes, stray dogs, raccoons and yes, birds of prey. And to avoid the possible wrath of my neighbors should they stray! Free roaming pets often contact feral cats and other sickly animal, the diseases of which can be passed onto humans, according to the Audubon Society.

I’ve contacted biologists at Western Washington University: Drs. Brown, Peterson, and Anderson. They all were concerned, even incensed, by the bird depredations done by cats, but also damage to other endangered species such as amphibians. (Dr. Brown was kind enough to volunteer to brief city officials or other relevant groups on this issue.)

Briefly, here are my thoughts on how our community should confront this
matter.

Ideally all pet cats should be kept indoors, especially during April to mid-June, when fledglings are most vulnerable.

When possible, all pet cats should be neutered. Pet cats that roam freely should have bell collars. Relevant federal or state agencies and private organizations, should be enlisted to trap (humanly) wild cats.

Locally, a public relations campaign should be mounted by officials and citizens to insure compliance with relevant restrictions. This could include letters to each household, placards, handouts, etc. State representations, private environmental groups should be enlisted to provide educational and financial support.

May I now wax melodramatic? Given the grim realities of what this country faces on the “war on terror,” we all no doubt will search our souls for what really counts in life. Surely one of life’s charms is to see and enjoy the chirps and songs of our feathered brethren.

Keats ends one of his poems with these two lines: “Though the sedge has withered from the lake and no birds sing.” What a pity should this happen!
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