Domestic cats are not native to most areas, and are newcomers to many continents – including our own. Unfortunately, most bird species are defenseless against cats. They do not hunt out of malicious intent, or even because they are hungry – they hunt out of instinct that dates back 9000 years to when they were wild. Bird watching is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in Canada.īirds’ most effective strategy for protecting themselves is to fly away, but domestic cats are extraordinarily effective hunters. Birds are enjoyed by many Canadians, particularly gardeners, bird-watchers, and naturalists.
They control insect and rodent populations, and help distribute seeds. We rely on them as an indicator species to tell us about the state of our environment. This includes many of our community birds like shorebirds, robins, blue jays, hummingbirds, raptors, and countless others.īirds play an important role in Canadian ecosystems. It is estimated that Canada’s 9.3 million outdoor cats hunt and kill 100 -350 million birds each year. Habitat loss, pollution, and climate change all negatively affect our bird populations, but scientists have identified that outdoor cats are one of the top contributors to this problem. Recent research suggests that 44% of Canadian bird species are declining including one-third of the species found in the Maritimes. Building a network of indoor cats to protect cats and birds Allied Cats protect our community birds and other wildlife that are vulnerable to predation by cats. In Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada research has determined that outdoor cats kill more than100 million birds each year. Unneutered cats kept indoors don't contribute to the over-population of stray and feral cats. They don't run the same risks as outdoor cats of being injured or killed by vehicles, wildlife, other cats, or people, or succumbing to cold, disease, parasites, or poisons. Indoor cats that have controlled or accompanied access outdoors live longer than cats that go outside. These cats along with their humans are helping to protect millions of birds and other wildlife that are otherwise injured or killed in Canada each year by free-roaming cats. Allied Cats is a program aimed at generating a network of cats that lead healthy, safe, and happy lives indoors, or with controlled outdoor access (e.g., via a catio or on a leash under the watchful eye of their human).
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