Hi everyone,

Did a little homework last week to find out some more about the cat issue.
Folks interested in the topic might check out the following link:

http://wildlife.wisc.edu/extension/catfly3.htm

Interesting highlights include: "Extensive studies of the feeding habits of
free-ranging domestic cats over 50 years and four continents [6] indicate
that small mammals make up approximately 70% of these cats' prey while
birds make up about 20%. The remaining 10% is a variety of other animals.
The diets of free-ranging cat populations, however, reflect the food
locally available."   The authors acknowledge some difficulty in assessing
empirically the effect predators (including domestic cats) have on prey.
But they do mention that cat are known to be a problem for least terns,
piping plovers, and loggerhead shrikes.

And note to Ray:  Cats seem especially to be a problem in *Florida*, as you
previously mentioned.  The authors write:

"In Florida, marsh rabbits in Key West have been threatened by predation
from domestic cats [11]. Cats introduced by people living on the barrier
islands of Florida's coast have depleted several unique species of mice and
woodrats to near extinction [12, 13].

and:

"Free-ranging domestic cats may also transmit new diseases to wild animals.
Domestic cats have spread feline leukemia virus to mountain lions [16] and
may have recently infected the endangered Florida Panther with feline
panleukopenia (feline distemper) and an immune deficiency disease [17].
These diseases may pose a serious threat to this rare species. Some
free-ranging domestic cats also carry several diseases that are easily
transmitted to humans, including rabies and toxoplasmosis [18]."

So of course the list membership can imagine my sense of horror <smile>
when one of the better known Floridians on the list confessed to the
following ecological sin:

>
>Ray here:
>No, I don't equate feral animals with native wild animals, sorry if that is
>the way it came across.  I had not thought about your issue, so I came to
>the question by way of an issue about which I have given alot of thought.  I
>have 50 stray cats & 35 stray dogs - all desexed - so control of those
>animals is a problem for me.
[snip]

Just kidding Ray; but are these cats all indoor cats? and/or do you keep
them in a fenced yard?  Because seriously, these cats may be taking more of
a toll on Florida's landscape than . . .  gasp . . .  the generic, evil
human hunter.  :-)   Coleman et al. make a point of saying, "Don't feed
strays":

"Don't feed stray cats. Feeding strays maintains high densities of cats
that kill and compete with native wildlife populations. Cat colonies will
form around sources of food and grow to the limits of the food supply.
Colonies can grow to include dozens of animals [21]. Maintenance of
colonies of free-ranging or feral cats through supplemental feeding
benefits no one. The cats suffer because of disease and physical injury;
native wildlife suffers from predation and competition, and colonies can be
a source of disease for animals and humans. Those concerned with the
welfare of animals can improve the lives of the many native species that
suffer from lack of food and shelter by protecting and improving the
habitats they require [25]."

Obviously, I'm not picking on Ray here . . .  just his cats.  :-)
Jim



>Second, feral animals may not be a problem in your area - winter die-out?
>But they can be and are a problem in certain ecosystems in this part of the
>south.  Heavy human population already create problems in themselves; that
>is compounded when they *irresponsibly* ignore what happens when they do not
>spay/neuter their animals and/or carelessly and heartlessly drop them off on
>some "rural" road to fend for themselves.
>-------------
>
>Josh, I am not criticizing keeping and caring for domestic animals as long
>as folks *do* accept that responsibility.
>
>Regards to all,
>
>Ray



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