#Feral Cats

[rebeccathenaturalist]

A study that just came out demonstrates that outdoor cats are known to prey on over two thousands species of wild animal, from mammals to birds to insects. That includes 347 species that are endangered, threatened or otherwise of concern, and they've been a key factor of the permanent extinction of over 60 species. And while cats may not always bring home what they catch, chances are if your cat is allowed to roam unsupervised outside, they're killing your local wildlife.

Why is this so important? Worldwide, wild animal populations have decreased in number by 69% in the past fifty years; that means that in my lifetime (born in 1978), the sheer number of wild animals in the world has been decreased by over half. Even "common" wild species are less numerous than before. While habitat population is the single biggest cause of species endangerment and extinction overall, outdoor and indoor/outdoor cats are a significant cause as well. In fact, they are the single biggest cause of human-caused mortality in wild birds.

Most importantly, it's very, very simple to fix this problem: keep your cats indoors, and spay and neuter them. If your cat is bored, they need more enrichment, and there are plenty of ways to make your home more exciting for them, from bringing home cardboard boxes for them to explore, to playing with them more often. If you want your cat to get some outdoor enrichment, leash train them (yes, it can be done!) If you have the space and resources, build them a catio where they can be safe from outdoor dangers like predators and cars, while also keeping local wildlife safe from them.

If you just give into their whining and pawing at the door, then they know that that's what they have to do to get their way; I know it's a tough transition, but it's worth it in the end for everyone involved. Cats are domesticated, which means they are not native anywhere in the world; there are exactly zero ecosystems in which they belong, save for the safety of your home. It is your responsibility to give them an enriching environment without taking the shortcut of letting them go wreak havoc outside.

[kittypatch]

Flashback to nursing Hobbes. It was a long journey with a lot of ugly medications.

Such a tiny little guy that refused to give up!

Now he is too smart, to active, to pushy, and still too cute! 🥰

[pati-ka]

Flow (2024) AKA Straume

[rinibayphoto]

[antoinemaillard]

An illustration I did in this week New Yorker for an article about feral cats in California by Jonathan Franzen. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/01/how-the-no-kill-movement-betrays-its-name

AD Stephanie Wu

[ryan-wats]

He knows the kitchen is where all the magic happens 🍗

[alfedurka]

Friendly kitty

[fannyyann]

nhl: YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS 🍾

[spinus-pinus]

Domestic Cat Felis catus

2/16/2023 Disney California Adventure Park, California

One of the more well-known Disney cats, because she can frequently be seen hanging out near Grizzly River Run and being admired by parkgoers. Her name is Francisco! The Disneyland Resort actively encourages these feral cats to hang around, as they help with rodent control, but will remove any that become aggressive towards people.

[postingwasteland]

“Finally, peace and stability”

“This family makes me want to murder people”

[some1s-sista]

The ferals are staying warm and cozy in their heated/insulated houses. It’s been a chilly week into the twenties and thirties overnight, culminating in last night’s ice/snow storm (I myself saw no snow - sad face) but I brought out extra blankets this week and built them little nests inside on the heating pads, so they’ve stayed warm and dry. Giving them extra food so they can stack on some weight (they’re quite chubby as it is) and I fill their bowls with warm water to help keep them warm from the inside out! They seem pretty happy with their life right now, even in the cold! It starts warming up today, relatively speaking, so they can soak up the sun during the day and curl up in their houses at night.

Wish I could bring them in but I don’t think my four indoor kitties would tolerate that! So I do what I can for them. Maybe one day I’ll build a nice heated shed with kitty doors so we can get a few more TNRd and sheltered.

I’m lucky in that my husband understands what it means to me to make their lives a little easier and goes along with everything I do!

[cxged-bird]

He’s regretting his life choices

[kittypatch]

Brownie & Grey doing their morning greeting. 😍

[pati-ka]

Flow (2024) AKA Straume

[manber]

Poor Shadowsight

[rinibayphoto]