When I first read the article on the front door of http://cfhs.ca/ about the CFHS and Kijiji partnership , I was sure that their website must have been hacked by someone with the malicious intent of undermining such a great organization.
Yet that almost pales by comparison with the article on their front door tonight. New website devoted to Keeping Animals Safe
The Canadian Federation of Humane societies is happy to support a new website launched by the Toronto Wildlife Centre and the Canadian Indoor Cats Alliance – www.keepanimalssafe.ca. The site hopes to educate people not only on the dangers of letting cats roam free outdoors, but also on the impact that outdoor cats have on wildlife. The site offers information on why it is important to keep your cat indoors as well as helpful solutions for converting your outdoor cat into an indoor one.
According to the website, outdoor cats have a definite impact on the local wildlife, not to mention a shorter life span – about 10 years shorter – than an indoor cat. By preying on birds and small animals, outdoor cats impact the populations of these animals thus leading to an imbalance throughout the eco-system. Outdoor cats are also highly susceptible to other dangers such as cars and disease.
Having a happy and healthy indoor cat is not just a myth, it can be a reality. By stimulating and challenging your cat through toys and play, your cat can have a healthy and rewarding life indoors. If you still feel that your cat needs time to explore the great outdoors, consider building a fenced in play area or training your cat to wear a harness and leash. For more information on keeping your indoor cat happy visit www.keepanimalssafe.ca and also take a look at the CFHS’ Happy Indoor Cat Factsheet.
Now I'll be the first one to admit that I prefer my cats to be indoor only .... but not because I feel they will decimate the local wildlife. The truth is that is exactly the opposite. There is a long list of wildlife that is very hazardous to any cat. We have at least three varieties of eagles and two types of hawks within hunting distance of my yard. If that isn't enough, there are foxes, coyotes and weasels as well.
If that was all there was to this campaign, I'd say paws up to CFHS. But this new project contains an entire section devoted to listing the ways in which cats pose a Hazard for Wildlife . Where did this information come from? CCIA , which is a coalition primarily composed of wildlife groups.
Why do I have a problem with that? Whats the big deal? CFHS cannot have it both ways. They cannot promote 'domestic bliss' for owned cats at the expense of the ferals. The article does not quote research, but relies on the sentence " U.S. research estimates that outdoor cats annually kill more than a billion birds and small mammals of both common and rare species. "
CFHS cannot advocate humane feral cat management through TNR and support a campaign that promotes more negative publicity for feral cats by reinforcing the common prejudice that ferals pose a hazard to local wildlife.
For anyone who hasn't read the material, a more accurate presentation can be found at Alley Cat Allies http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=324
Or ... if one hasn't already read this, one could go to the No Kill Advocacy Centre and read http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/feralcatissue_000.pdf
Or.... one could go to a great article written by the godfather of No Kill, Nathan Winograd http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/feralcatcompassion.pdf
Since I moved out here, subdivisions and new homes have taken a real bite out of the existing wildlife habitat. As a result, more wildlife has been crowded into smaller areas. Like I said, around here ... we protect cats from the wildlife .... not the other way around.
What time is it? Its time for the national organization purporting to represent humane groups to make more well considered partnerships so that they can live up to their motto of 'Helping Canadians Help Animals".
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