Owners deny cats are killing wildlife

Research suggests owners are reluctant to accept the cat predation risk to wildlife and a cat welfare approach may be needed.

Domestic cats have been introduced by humans across the world and growing cat populations are placing local wildlife under greater pressure. Cat predation compounds the survival problem by adding to habitat loss and food scarcity for some species.

Free-roaming cats on islands have contributed to the extinction of native bird, mammal, and reptile species unable to fend off this introduced predator. In mainland environments, cats are impacting local bird and mammal populations, with large numbers killed each year.

Previous studies have found that although cats generally only catch one or two prey items per month, and not all cats hunt, high density cat populations can have a significant impact on wildlife numbers over time. Cats in urban areas can reduce bird numbers faster than some species can breed.

This latest study, published in Ecology and Evolution, will inform management strategies to reduce cat predation, showing prevailing attitudes that need to be overcome to protect wildlife.

“There is a clear need to directly address the perceptions and opinions of cat owners,” said lead author Dr Jenni McDonald from the University of Exeter’s Centre for…