Oyster DuPree said:
SanAntoneAg said:
If they are eating cats, why do you want to get rid of them?
The cats are negatively impacting the countryside more than the yotes and fox are.
Source?
Simple inet search. For the U.S.
Birds: Estimates suggest domestic cats kill between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds each year.
Small mammals: The same studies estimate that cats kill between 6.9 and 20.7 billion small mammals annually.
Feral vs. owned cats: The highest impact comes from feral and unowned cats, with each of these cats estimated to kill between 23 and 46 birds per year and 129 and 338 small mammals per year.
Impact on wildlife
Native species: Cats prey on a variety of native animals, including species like shrews, chipmunks, and meadow voles, not just invasive pests.
Ecosystem disruption: The high density of cats, often enabled by human food subsidies, allows them to have a disproportionately large ecological impact compared to wild predators.
Extinction risk: Globally, domestic cats have contributed to the extinction of at least 33 bird species, and they pose a threat to already vulnerable and declining species.
Other threats from free-ranging cats
Disease and injury: Outdoor cats are also at risk of injury or death from other wild predators, dogs, and cars.
Competition: They can reduce the availability of prey for native wildlife.
Invasive species: Cats are considered an invasive species in the United States, with their populations growing significantly since their introduction by colonists.
