On Keeping Cats Indoors
Doris Clayton
With
spring migration and planting just around the corner. I would like to bring to
mind an issue that concerns many naturalists and gardeners alike - the problem
of roaming cats. I recently read about an organization that has done an
impressive job in collecting information and statistics on this topic and also
offers many suggestions on how to address the problem.
Cats
Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats was initiated by the American
Bird Conservancy (ABC) to end the unnecessary suffering and death of birds and
other wildlife caused by free-roaming domestic cats. Cats Inside! seeks
to educate cat owners, decision makers and the general public that free-roaming
cats pose a significant risk to birds and other wildlife, suffer themselves, and
pose a threat to human health.
Cats
Indoors! encourages cat owners to keep their cats indoors and advocates laws,
regulations, and policies to protect cats and birds, including the humane
removal of free-roaming cats from areas important to wildlife. The campaign
promotes grassroots efforts to address the issue at state/province and local
levels. Their excellent website is at www.abcbirds.org.
Reproduced
from the Wood Duck (Hamilton Naturalists Club) March 2001.
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