Cats Indoors Campaign

The American Bird Conservancy’s (ABC) war on free-roaming and feral cats continues.

ABC’s Cats Indoors Campaign published a report in May 2006 targeting Florida, Hawaii, California, New Jersey and New York. “Impacts of Feral and Free-Ranging Cats on Bird Species of Conservation Concern” was written by Cats Indoors director, Linda Winter and funded by a “generous” grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

The primary federal agency partner of NFWF is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Corporate partners include: BP; ConocoPhillips; Disney; ExonMobil; FMC Corporation (chemicals); Pacific Gas & Electric; Shell Oil Company Foundation; Southern Company (gas and electric); Wal-Mart; and the U.S. Golf Association.

According to the new report:

-“The domestic cat is now so common in the U.S. that many people do not realize they are an alien species.”

-“Scientists estimate that our nation’s free-roaming cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians each year, including endangered species.”

-“Domestic cats are considered primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 bird species since the 1600s.”

-“Free-roaming cats are capable of spreading zoonotic diseases and parasites to other cats, wildlife and people, and concentrating cats in colonies aids in the spread of disease and parasites.”

-“Risk of disease transmission to humans from cats in colonies, as well as free-roaming pet cats, will become more of a concern if the deadly avian flu H5N1 hits the United States.”

Much of the report’s research comes from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) as well as other government funded sources, including:

-Stanley Temple and John Coleman’s discredited five year study-series financed by the USDA and Wisconsin DNR.

-“Feral Cats in Florida: the fur and feathers are flying”, funded by the FWS in 2003. Since writing the report, Pamela Jo Hatley graduated from law school and went on to sue Space Coast Feline Network on behalf of a Brevard County veterinarian under the Endangered Species Act.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Hawaii Division of Forestry & Wildlife have both signed on to the Cats Indoors Campaign as part of their Invasive Species programs. Both government web sites feature downloadable PSAs; brochures; education kits; posters and flyers that promote the American Bird Conservancy’s agenda.