A Powell River friend of mine used to wake up to the sound of dozens of birds singing in her backyard. Her bird feeders did a booming business. It was like having a house in the middle of a bird sanctuary.
But no more. The bird feeders are empty, the birds are gone and the music has ended. Why? Because a new neighbour moved in next door with five cats.
The slaughter started almost immediately. Morning after morning my friend found two or three dead birds around the feeder pole.
The cats were obviously well-fed. They killed out of instinct, not hunger. Often, when she looked out on her backyard, my neighbour saw a cat, or cats, waiting patiently within striking distance of the feeder.
The story reminded me of the many discussions and arguments I have had with friends over the years about their cats. I am, by the way, a cat lover, and would probably have one if my partner was not allergic (and our condo allowed them).
I have had indoor and outdoor cats and all were happy as clams. The claim that cats are equally a part of nature does not stand up to scrutiny. For birds, cats are (literally) an invasive species.
Most people, cat owners included, have some knowledge of the carnage caused by cats, both pets and feral. But the actual numbers would, or should, shock people.
A 2013 study by Environment Canada scientist Peter Blancher estimated that cats kill more than 270 million birds every year in Canada, 38 per cent of those by pet cats, and the rest by feral cats (and these exist only because of abandoned cats and their offspring).
Environment Canada’s director of wildlife research stated that cameras attached to cat collars show that a cat you might think is just exploring the neighbourhood could be killing 10 or 12 birds a night.
The study estimated that bird-kills by cats claim eight times as many birds as the next highest causes of death: power lines, collisions and electrocutions. Wind turbines, often in headlines about bird kills, were responsible for only 16,700.
It isn’t just the number of birds, it is the particular species involved. In Canada, 23 species at risk are particularly vulnerable as they nest on or close to the ground. Cat predation is identified as a concern in recovery plans for at least 10 of these at-risk species.
Ontario cities of Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton and others passed bylaws prohibiting cats from free-roaming years ago and there have been no reports of depressed kitties, just more birds.
I expect there would be cat-owner outrage at the suggestion of such a bylaw in Powell River. But why?
As Powell River residents we are rightly proud and protective of our spectacular natural beauty. Yet, oddly, we mostly talk about protecting habitat and trees and are upset, as we should be, about the number of bears put down each year.
But one simple act by cat owners can make a huge difference in preserving the lives of birds and an aspect of nature that gives us enormous pleasure: the thrilling sound of their songs.
Cat owners would also be doing their pets a favour. According to Nature Canada, the average lifespan of an outdoor cat is two to five years, compared to 14 years for an indoor cat.
Murray Dobbin is a Powell River freelance writer and social commentator.
