Do Mockingbirds "Fly Over the Rainbow Bridge?"

[BikeWriter]

Do Mockingbirds "Fly Over the Rainbow Bridge?" I often read or hear where someone's pet they loved was last seen "crossing The Rainbow Bridge." I seldom get publicly emotional about an animal, though in my long years I have lost loyal dogs, birds, and even a beautiful silver miniature horse stallion that was still-born in my back yard.
I'd have to say the Texas Mockingbird is one of my favorite birds, mostly because of how closely I've observed them. We rehabilitated and released an injured Mockingbird youngster we found in our yard a number of years ago. The next year he returned to our feeders and hung around the yard, and then the next year a pair nested in a short bushy tree in our front yard.
There was no proof, of course, that it was him, except possibly that he stayed so near and appeared to trust us when we went to the car or mailbox, or to shoo away the neighbor's cats when he'd strafe them.
We'd see him each spring for several days in the top of a particular tree in our back yard. He'd fly up several feet, hover, then alight back in the tree. It looked like he was flopping back down, and the tree leaves appeared as if he were compressing them.
We had to conclude this was his mating performance because within a few days they'd build another nest in the same tree in our front yard. Luckily the tree got taller and bushier each year. We'd long since stopped feeding any of the birds because of the neighbor's cats and we had even considered deterring the pair from nesting here.
They had mixed success for a number of years. We ran the cats off whenever we saw them near the front yard, he'd strafe them, and I think most of the fledglings survived. This last spring he may have slowed with age. One of the cats left his wings on my front porch. Do Mockingbirds "Fly Over the Rainbow Bridge?" I don't know, but I miss that little guy! Cat owners, keep your pets indoors!

[Shell Beau]

1. The rainbow bridge is for all animals!! And I do think they just fly right over it!

:)

[BikeWriter]

2. Thank you, Dear. I figure I'm in for another session of...

"Let's all jump on the cat hater!" but I've never been one to quit.

[BikeWriter]

3. Manifesto for a feral cat-free world

Here are our reasons for believing that all responsible citizens of the world must oppose feral cat colonies.

The trap, neuter, and return management of feral cat colonies is considered an effective and humane method of control by those who practice it and by many other well-meaning people from the general public. The colony managers and their supporters are seeking a humane method for solving the catastrophic problem of the millions of cats dumped by irresponsible owners into our ecology.

However, many of us disagree strongly and are convinced that this policy is an unethical way to manage feral domestic animals as it only solves part of the problem and only from the perspective of the welfare of cats.

We especially believe it is inexcusable to re-abandon a domesticated animal into what is an alien ecology; especially an animal that is universally known to be a deadly predator and a threat to the survival of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians which have all evolved in an ecology without it, so have no protection from it.

When choosing to practice TNR, feral colony managers make a conscious decision to do the following:

1. abandon a domestic animal into an environment it is not equipped to deal with without assistance from humans - by virtue of thousands of years of domestication. This also breaks existing laws designed to protect those same domestic animals. Many cats become diseased and are malnourished despite their predation of millions of songbirds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

2. enable those domestic animals to continue to prey on our native wildlife. This contributes to the staggering damage to our ecology caused by the huge population of feral cats, destroying up to a billion birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians each year in the USA alone as well as breaking laws designed to protect our endangered wildlife.

3. when releasing these animals from captivity this domesticated pet animal becomes a public nuisance, trespassing, urinating and defecating in yards, gardens, and on public property. Their fighting screams keep people awake and they can carry disease to domestic stock and properly cared for pets.

Whilst the majority of people agree the original abandonment of the cat was unethical, they do not realise that the re-abandonment is equally so. In fact we believe it is even more unethical and flies in the face of the facts. To abandon the domestic pets again to suffer in the wild, kill more of our native wildlife, and to alienate the general public is indefensible.

How can the TNR advocates rationalize the violent deaths of billions of our native fauna each year for the benefit of millions of alien animals as ethical? They really believe that they have chosen to show compassion and humane treatment to cats yet they are doing them no good whilst, at the same time doing harm to many more millions of equally deserving innocent creatures.

The fact is that we must learn to deal with this present and real danger to our wildlife in an adult and responsible manner that benefits the cats and the wildlife they currently predate.

We call for feral domestic animals every where to be eradicated from the environment which they are harming.

In many parts of the world introduced rodents and mustelids are eliminated with humane poisoned baits and native wildlife flourishes. There is no lobby to trap, neuter and release these animals simply because the species have not been considered pets by most people but pests. In other words it is not the elimination of living creatures that people object to but only the culling of particular species¦ where is the sense in that?

On islands, such as the Galapagos feral goats, pigs and so forth have ruined much habitat and unique animals have disappeared. Many believe that the most famous extinction of all, the Dodo, was caused by feral goats and pigs being left by sailors as potential food, out-competing the birds for food.

In some countries, such as in Australia, legislation has been passed to make the release of cats into the wild a criminal offence and here too it has been shown that once feral pets and mistakenly introduced non-native species are eliminated from an enclosed area it is immediately re-colonised by rare native species which then flourish.

We believe that the most humane solution is to cull all such feral populations including cats. However, if there are those who cannot contemplate the death of one animal to save hundreds of others , then they must be responsible for their beliefs and pay for the entrapment, neutering and then housing in enclosures of feral cats themselves.

[TZ]

4. Yes shooting cats is the answer!

Just like those evil wolves in Yellowstone park . You are condoning creulty to cats to prevent a PERCEIVED cruelty to birds if you don't see the utter hypocrisy of this...yes you ARE a cat hater and you have little but irrational beliefs to back you up as I dislike unthinking zealots this will be my last response to you

[BikeWriter]

6. You, of course are for allowing the cats to kill all our wildlife?

:shrug:

[Mrs. Venation]

7. Enjoy Rhetorical Hyperbole Much?

Cats are just as much a part of nature as birds, and have just as much right to exist. Yeah, BW, I think you're a cat hater. It's a subject that you just won't let go.

Bertha and I will not take a stray cat to a shelter that kills animals. Period. And we damned sure are not going to let them starve to death. They know where to come to get their meals and a warm, dry place to sleep.

I love birds, too. I have some really nice bird photos that I've shot in our yard. The songbirds and the cats here coexist peacefully.

It will be a cold day in hell before cats "kill all wildlife." Gross exaggeration does not win you any supporters.

I've never commented on your odious cat hatred before, and I won't again. I had to get it out of my system this time, though, because I am tired of being pissed off at you for your self-righteousness.

Have a nice life. You now go on my ignore list.

[BikeWriter]

8. I would like to hear just once how the TNR position is defensible.

I see nothing moral, ethical, lawful, or humane about abandoning a domestic animal into the wild and enabling it to suffer while decimating our native wildlife. Cats are about as much a part of our ecology as pit bulls.

[Muttocracy]

27. domestic cats are NOT part of North American nature, and when they're fed by humans

and given vet care, and then allowed to hunt extra for fun, it's not a natural predator-prey interaction.

[BikeWriter]

29. You're right, Muttocracy, and they're competing unfairly with...

our natural predators.

[Muttocracy]

28. the wolves are analogous to the birds, the domestic cat is analogous to domestic sheep. nt

[BikeWriter]

40. Feral and roaming Cat Enablers say: "Killing is not the answer!"

What the bloody hell do they think we wildlife enthusiasts have been thinking while the last several billion of our native birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals have gone down the gullets of the millions of darling feral aliens they're enabling?

[BikeWriter]

5. The "Vacuum Myth" Cat Enablers swear by.

The feral and roaming cat enablers are like some politicians. They repeat their myths often enough and some gullible people begin to accept them.
Take the myth about if you euthanize a feral cat bird killing machine "another one just like it" will move in. I learned basic arithmetic in the first grade, and it seems to me that as you take away each feral cat you leave a vacuum in our ecosystem our natural birds and predators can retake and thrive in!
Can you picture this scenario? Three muggers are beating up a TNR colony manager. A policeman comes along and asks "Would you like me to arrest a couple of these guys?" "Oh no," comes the reply, "It would only create a vacuum and more would join in."

[BikeWriter]

9. This "Odious Cat Hater" has compassion for cats?

More so than some TNR colony managers, I'd say.

TNR Cats don't suffer?
Oh? What about the TNR cat that lost a leg in my truck fan belt last winter? I took the day off work and drove it to the vet, but the poor cat was too mangled to repair. He still may have been luckier than the ones who have blundered into my dog's six foot high kennels. There's the one I found coughing and strangling by my front door, too. That one cost me another trip to the vet.
TNR cats don't suffer? Hell, I'm suffering just being humane to the neighbor's TNR cats!

[Duer 157099]

10. Another mockingbird fan here

I had a similar story with a baby mockingbird, it was amazing. Rescued the baby after a cat knocked down the nest. It happened the same day I was going on a driving trip for a few days, so took the bird with us. Upon return, mom mockingbird was hanging around the house so I'd put baby bird outside in open box for mom to come visit - which she did, and fed him. When baby was ready to learn to fly, his mom came and taught him how, until they both flew away together. It was so sad and yet so thrilling. I never knew if I ever saw them again, though - but there were some mockingbirds who were regular visitors.

I think they are an excellent bird - and I love their songs and their late night/early morning noises!

[BikeWriter]

12. Kudos, Duer. You saved a good bird! We were practiced...

hand feeders by the time we saved that little guy. We called the local licensed people and they said they were swamped and asked my ex if we'd raise him. They knew us by then.

[Duer 157099]

18. I had done it one time prior, with a difference type tho

Similar situation and in both cases, the mom had no trouble feeding the bird even after it had been handled by me. In the first case, the bird (mom) actually flew *into* the house to feed the baby! The dad stayed out, perched right next to the window so he could watch. Astonishing. So contrary to what everyone says.

The mockingbird was out of town for several days with us and his mom *still* accepted him when we returned. This one didn't come into the house, but did feed the baby when I took him outside.

I videotaped the release day, when mom came and taught him how to fly away.

[BikeWriter]

19. Good for you! I have literally helped feed thousands of orphans...

...from parakeets to macaws, finches to owls and herons, and mammals from flying squirrels to longhorn cattle. It's mostly just common sense and intuition.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

11. yes. n/t

[BikeWriter]

13. Thank you, this little guy was not a pet of course, but we loved him.

[Skip Intro]

14. I'm sure they do. And as a cat lover I'll second your advice to keep cats indoors.

Cats are predators by nature. And they do act upon their instincts indoors or out. But it is much safer for the cat and all concerned if the cat is kept indoors. Lengthens their lifespans and the lifespans of those outdoor wild animals that might become their prey.

[BikeWriter]

15. Thank you, Skip Intro. I'm so glad I started this thread. There is...

...a common ground between some cat and bird advocates!

[Skip Intro]

16. I am too. Common ground for sure. They're both awesome creatures.

They both have personalities and, I have no doubt, emotions.

Sorry for your loss, even though I know he wasn't actually a "pet."

Thing is, I have no doubt he "knew" you too.

I'm sure he had no trouble flying over the rainbow bridge with your kind thoughts and feelings to carry him.

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

17. The little guy was brave and we saved him from whichever...

...predator killed the rest of his clutch. I will always picture him sitting calmly close by, even if we approached his nest to check on the little ones, but if a cat came near he went to WAR!

[BikeWriter]

20. For anyone hand feeding small birds or mammals, these pipettes...

... plastic disposable, are indispensable. http://marketlabinc.com/products/details/375?gclid=CJyas53O6pkCFRBbagod8z-bQg I used to buy several boxes of hundreds at a time.

[BikeWriter]

21. Are you an advocate for birds?

We are advocates for our natural fauna, especially our birds. We have become increasingly concerned as we see species around us diminish and vanish. There are some things that we have no control over, while we can influence others with our voices and our votes.

Feral and roaming cats are a major factor in the destruction of the United States’ ecology. They've now been spread by humans to most areas of the Earth, where animals evolved with escape mechanisms against their own natural predators, but have few defenses against the domestic cat.

Those cats also compete unfairly with the natural predators and displace them because of well meaning cat helpers who subsidize them. Most ecologists and biologists agree feral and roaming cats are second only to habitat loss in destroying our native birds and wildlife.

The ‘trap, neuter, return programs’ have been practiced for years by the cat lovers, yet the numbers of cats in the wild have increased, whilst native bird numbers have decreased. We have a different name for the practice, we call it ‘trap, neuter, abandon’. Moreover, there are a number of federal and state laws against this practice, which are not being enforced. We say, and many others agree, the cat enabler's ineffective efforts actually hamper our professional animal control experts, while subsidizing and strengthening the feral cats that get away and multiply.

Some bird advocates I've met in the last few years do as we do and trap the cats and take them to the humane society or animal control. Many of those cats will be humanely euthanized. Remember, it's a more humane death than billions of our birds suffer from cats each year!

Our trapping does help, but it's not the answer that will save our birds from the tens of millions of these feral pests. That will take lobbyists in Washington influencing Congress to enforce our wildlife laws and to legislate stronger ones. All of that takes organization. Audubon does a great job with their ‘Cats Indoors’ campaigns, and several other groups do a fine job. Some groups have adjusted their agenda to approve trap, neuter & abandon in order to avoid excluding some hard line cat fanciers who are also members of their groups. When they do this they are adding to the problem not helping with the solution.

The only permanent solution for our distressing dilemma is to take strong measures and stop, cease, and desist from perpetuating this problem! We must take the millions of feral cats out of our eco-systems; through stricter enforcement of our present wildlife protection laws and by legislating tougher ones against the feral pests and those who abet them.

This will in the long run decrease the suffering of both our wildlife and the cats who do not belong there. Are there any bird advocates out there who agree, and are willing to voice their opinions and take action?

[BikeWriter]

22. Cats and Wildlife... A Conservation Dilemma

(Another Myth: Cats almost never kill Birds)

Although rural free-ranging cats have greater access to wild animals and undoubtedly take the greatest toll, even urban house pets take live prey when allowed outside. Extensive studies of the feeding habits of free-ranging domestic cats over 50 years and four continents <6> indicate that small mammals make up approximately 70% of these cats' prey while birds make up about 20%. The remaining 10% is a variety of other animals. The diets of free-ranging cat populations, however, reflect the food locally available.
http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/speaker3.html

[BikeWriter]

23. Critical Assessment of Claims Regarding Management of Feral Cats by Trap–Neuter–Return

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122216162/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Critical Assessment of Claims Regarding Management of Feral Cats by Trap–Neuter–Return

Abstract: Many jurisdictions have adopted programs to manage feral cats by trap–neuter–return (TNR), in which cats are trapped and sterilized, then returned to the environment to be fed and cared for by volunteer caretakers. Most conservation biologists probably do not realize the extent and growth of this practice and that the goal of some leading TNR advocates is that cats ultimately be recognized and treated as "protected wildlife." We compared the arguments put forth in support of TNR by many feral cat advocates with the scientific literature. Advocates promoting TNR often claim that feral cats harm wildlife only on islands and not on continents; fill a natural or realized niche; do not contribute to the decline of native species; and are insignificant vectors or reservoirs of disease. Advocates also frequently make claims about the effectiveness of TNR, including claims that colonies of feral cats are eventually eliminated by TNR and that managed colonies resist invasion by other cats. The scientific literature contradicts each of these claims. TNR of feral cats is primarily viewed and regulated as an animal welfare issue, but it should be seen as an environmental issue, and decisions to implement it should receive formal environmental assessment. Conservation scientists have a role to play by conducting additional research on the effects of feral cats on wildlife and by communicating sound scientific information about this problem to policy makers.

[BikeWriter]

24. FERAL AND FREE-RANGING DOMESTIC CATS

No. 306 THE WILDLIFER Page 57
FERAL AND FREE-RANGING DOMESTIC CATS
The policy of The Wildlife Society in regard to feral and free-ranging domestic cats is to:
1 . Strongly support and encourage the humane elimination of cat colonies

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:lPyy0-j_-wwJ:wildlifedamagegroup.unl.edu/documents/position/catpos.pdf+TWS+policy+statement+on+feral+cats:&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[ChickMagic]

25. Yes, birds do fly over the rainbow bridge

However, at work, they smack into the glass overhead bridge before they fly over the rainbow bridge.
Cats who cross the rainbow bridge no longer have a taste for birds. :)

Are juvie mockingbirds brown? I saw one who had smacked the glass and he looked like a mockingbird
but some of his white colorings were different. His feathers were brown instead of grey. If it's
an adult, could it be a different species of Mockingbird?

Here's a sad, but informative, picture:

[BikeWriter]

26. From the size it appears to be a juvenile. Yes, it is sad.

[BikeWriter]

39. More Feral Cat Information

Whatever happened to the days when dumping a domestic animal into the wild was considered inhumane, unethical, immoral, and just plain cruel? I do wish at least one TNR advocate had been with me the last time I cut fan belts in my truck engine to unwind a cat. I took the day off and drove the poor thing to a vet (in my car) but there was no way to save it.

[BikeWriter]

30. "No Kill" with TNR?

The TNR supporter's idea of "No Kill" refers to no killing of domestic cats unnaturally loose in the wild. They choose to release or re-abandon those domestic cats to the dangers of traffic, dogs, and disease, while enabling them to prey on and kill billions of our native birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. :puke:

[BikeWriter]

31. Trap, Neuter, Return a humane and compassionate plan?

Feral and roaming cat enabler, we are your neighbors and we are complaining! The migratory birds in our yards go through yours, where they are preyed upon by the invasive feral pests you enable. You also are placing our natural predators in the unnatural and one sided position of competing for food with those same invasive feral species you choose to subsidize.
You are choosing to subject your neighbors to the stench of cat urine and excrement. There is nothing ethical about it. Where is your compassion for our wildlife? What part of this is humane and compassionate for them?

[BikeWriter]

32. Condolences to a friend on the loss of his nesting birds.

I am so very sorry to hear you've lost your beloved birds to the neighbor's "pet." It is infuriating, I know. When I found the wings and feathers on my porch of a Mockingbird I'd watch nest for years this old combat veteran damned near cried. It's so very sad they didn't respect your property rights and keep their own "precious" pet indoors!

[TZ]

33. Spam spam spam

Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam

[BikeWriter]

34. How many kitty pictures are posted each day here?

You're only miffed because you have no rational or logical reason to support feral and roaming domestic animals being turned loose in our ecology!

[BikeWriter]

35. My thanks to the supporter who PMed me.

Thank you for your kind remarks. I'd grown tired of some of the cat lovers running roughshod over anyone who dared oppose them in enabling their cats to run loose. The only way we can prevail is to organize. We hold all the best cards because we are morally and ethically in the right!
Thanks again. :)

[BikeWriter]

36. Anthropomorphism: definition and deadly results!

"Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena."

"Cats are cuddly, fuzzy wuzzy little dears."

Anthropomorphism, be damned. The feral cat is an efficient alien predator, subsidized by humans, and is eating its way through fragile ecosystems around the world. There is nothing cute about a cat devouring a litter or clutch of an endangered species! Domestic cats belong indoors or on a leash.

[BikeWriter]

37. My responses to a cat enabler's rhetoric.

The cat crap and urine caused me to stop gardening. I can't bird watch in my yard now. The cats killed the nesting birds on my property.

Cats were part of the natural order of things in Africa 5000 years ago before they were domesticated. They are as much a true wild cat now as poodles are wolves. Without cats, the hawks, owls, snakes, and other natural predators would control rodents, as they always have. As it is now our natural predators are facing unnatural competition from the cats, who are subsidized by people.

[BikeWriter]

38. Are concerns for our ecology valued here?

I have been a contributor here since I joined several years ago. I've seen dozens of pictures of feral and roaming cat kills on this forum, and heard the comments, some snide, some cruel. Believe it or not there are true animal lovers among us, and I'm not speaking about those who prize fuzzy kitties, feral or roaming, above all others.
Face it, cat enablers, there are legitimate DUers who are concerned for our ecology and believe domestic pets should be controlled!

[charlie and algernon]

41. padding your post count again?

you know, you might gain more support if you didn't spam the hell out of these kinds of threads.

[BikeWriter]

42. No, I enjoy being called an odious cat hater.

There are some here who are supportive of this thread. I'm educating the bird haters.

[BikeWriter]

43. Are you a bird hater? Signed, Just Wondering...

[BikeWriter]

44. Dr. Julie Levy supports TNR...

Dr. Julie Levy is a cat freak, as well as being on retainer from several of the cat enabler organizations and makes millions selling books to them. She has yet to explain how TNR and perpetuating cat colonies stops the killing of our endangered birds and other fauna. If she would STFU an extensive euthanasia project would end much of the suffering on both sides, rather than perpetuating it. I'd certainly donate generously to it.

[BikeWriter]

45. Animal Advocates... Animal Lovers...

Animal advocates, animal lovers, I hear the terms often. Let's be realistic here. These terms have been badly misused the last twenty or thirty years. I am an advocate for our native birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish and I consider myself an animal lover. The trap, neuter, abandon crowd bear no resemblance to me, yet they call themselves animal lovers. Their priority is enabling the perpetuation of their fur babies colonies, while ignoring the deaths of the endangered wildlife they threaten. I don't consider that an animal lover, do you?

[BikeWriter]

46. Study: Cat Parasite Affects Human Culture

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/060803_tgondii_culture.html
A parasitic microbe commonly found in cats might have helped shape entire human cultures by manipulating the personalities of infected individuals, according to a new study.

Infection by a Toxoplasma gondii could make some individuals more prone to some forms of neuroticism and could lead to differences among cultures if enough people are infected, says Kevin Lafferty, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

In a survey of different countries, Lafferty found that people living in those with higher rates of T. gondii infection scored higher on average for neuroticism, defined as an emotional or mental disorder characterized by high levels of anxiety, insecurity or depression.

His finding is detailed in the Aug. 2 issue of the journal for Proceedings of the Royal Society, Biology.

[BikeWriter]

47. Feral cats are NOT wildlife in need of support

(reprinted from Crossing Paths newsletter, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Wild birds and free-ranging cats are not a good mix. As a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary manager, you most likely keep your cat confined and talk to cat-owning neighbors about doing the same. But what about homeless cats? “Feral” cats, which are usually strays that are untamed or wild, are estimated to range from 60 to 100 million throughout the United States. They are NOT wildlife. Feral cats are non-native predators that can, and have, seriously damaged wild bird and other wildlife populations.
While domestic cats are solitary animals, colonies of feral cats often form around food sources like bird feeding stations, garbage dumps, or places where people deliberately leave food for them. In fact, many colonies of feral cats are supported by well-meaning, but misinformed, advocates of what’s become known as “TNR” management: Trap, Neuter, Release. This wrong solution to a tragic problem works this way: Feral cats are trapped and taken to a clinic or veterinarian for disease testing. Those that are seriously ill or test positive for contagious diseases are usually euthanized, otherwise they are simply spayed or neutered. Then the feral cats are released back to where they were trapped and where they are supplied with food and water daily.
The theory behind TNR programs, which are funded by both private and public entities across the country, is eventual reduction of feral cat colonies. But sadly, such claims are not substantiated. Cat colonies often serve as dumping grounds for other unwanted cats. The food provided usually attracts more cats. Contrary to TNR proponent beliefs, colony cats do NOT keep other cats from joining the colony. As time goes on, some colony cats become too wary to be caught, so rarely are all spayed or neutered.
With females capable of producing up to three litters of four to six kittens each every year, it doesn’t take long to grow a feral cat colony. Well-fed cats, either feral or domestic, are “super-predators” of birds and other wildlife. The need to eat and the instinct to hunt can and do function separately. Any cat owner can attest to this fact with stories of “gift birds” laid at their feet by feline companions.
There is extensive documentation that free-roaming cats are prolific and efficient predators, even if, and especially when, they are regularly fed. Almost one-fifth of all injured wildlife brought to Washington’s wildlife rehabilitators across the state was harmed by cats.
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:TzKSmeGWLNIJ:www.palouseaudubon.org/Misc/FeralCats.pdf+Bird+Advocates+Feral+Cat+Information&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[PeaceNikki]

48. I feed mockingbirds to my cats.

[BikeWriter]

49. In that case you may be interested in this story...

In recent years, largely volunteer groups have tried to control the problem by what they call TNR -- trap, neuter and release. Professional biologists say it hasn't worked.

And so does Dr. Christine Storts. She's the veterinarian who wrote a letter urging the wildlife commission to do its job and stop the cats' slaughter of the state's smaller creatures.

Living two blocks from the beach, Storts became curious when she noticed there were no beach mice. A little checking astounded her.

Brevard County's estimate of free-ranging cats had increased from 100,000 in 1999 to 200,000 in just four years.

She joined committees to deal with the problem by trapping the feral cats, neutering them and then releasing them. But she considered it hopeless.

"I do know that having TNR handle 5,000 cats over the past five years, when there's ten times that many still roaming around, means it isn't working," Storts said.
---------------------------------------------------
She wants the agency to control the predators and to stop the amateur trap-neuter and release programs. She would like the cats trapped and adopted, trapped and euthanized or trapped and kept in secure enclosures for the rest of their lives.
http://www.wildlifedamagecontrol.net/feline/bibliography.php

[PeaceNikki]

57. Not really interested.

In fact, I trailed off after "In recent years............................................"


:boring:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

50. I figured my cat is doing his part to weed out the weak and stupid

If a bird lands on the feeder with a cat sitting two inches from it, it's best that bird doesn't reproduce.

[BikeWriter]

52. No, not at all. It means the bird evolved with no fear of domestic cats.

That's why they're being decimated by them.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

54. Then it's time to fix that evolutionary mistake

I don't buy that anyway. Cats are predators. Birds are evolved to be fearful of predators. There are bob cats where I live. Are you saying the birds evolved without a fear of them, too?

He's brought home hundreds of rodents. Maybe five birds in his whole life. I'm not worrying too much.

[BikeWriter]

55. Five birds times one hundred million or so feral and roaming cats?

How many millions of birds are too many?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

56. You know what's really destroying birds?

People.

Get rid of feral cats and there will be a rodent explosion. Ever hear of the Plague?

[BikeWriter]

62. Rodent explosion? Read this scientific study, please.

The following are summaries of specific studies:
East Bay Regional Park District, CA: A two-year study
was conducted in two parks with grassland habitat. One park
had no cats, but more than 25 cats were being fed daily in the
other park. There were almost twice as many birds seen in the
park with no cats as in the park with cats. California Thrasher
and California Quail, both ground-nesting birds, were seen
during surveys in the no-cat area,whereas they were never seen
in the cat area. In addition, more than 85% of the native deer
mice and harvest mice trapped were in the no-cat area,whereas
<b>79% of the house mice,an exotic pest species,were trapped in the cat area. The researchers concluded, “Cats at artificially high densities, sustained by supplemental feeding, reduce abundance of native rodent and bird populations, change the rodent species composition, and may facilitate the expansion of the house mouse into new areas.”</B> (Hawkins, C.C., W.E. Grant,and M.T.Longnecker.1999.Effect of subsidized house cats on California birds and rodents. Transactions of the Western
Section of The Wildlife Society 35:29-33)
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:XFmXe93HCQQJ:www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/materials/predation.pdf+feral+cats+native+mice+invasive+mice+california+birds+rodents+hawkins&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

63. How about just admitting that HUMANS are the biggest threat to birds (and other wildlife)?

But that, of course, doesn't fit in with your cat killing crusade.

[BikeWriter]

64. Yes, humans are the biggest threat, and humans excusing...

the damage cats do by saying it's all our fault are a large part of that. I'm on a cat killing crusade? I could as easily say you are on a bird killing crusade, but that wouldn't stop the killing, would it? Do you have a realistic solution, other than attacking the scientific studies I've posted with generalities? :shrug:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

65. Honestly, I think you have more of an issue with cats than anything else

Focus on habitat destruction and pollution. Those are the real killers.

[BikeWriter]

69. I have an issue with birds being killed in my yard...

in my neighborhood, in our parks, and in our wildlife refuges! How would my focusing on habitat destruction and pollution solve that?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

71. So you're ignoring the larger issues to focus on cats, which you hate?

[BikeWriter]

73. Whether I "hate cats" or not is not relevant. What is relevant is...

...our fauna is going down their gullets at the rate of a billion a year. I am doing all I can to prevent that.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

75. By ignoring the bigger issue

[BikeWriter]

79. You ask me to ignore cats killing nesting birds in my yard?

I hardly think so.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

83. How do you solve that problem?

[BikeWriter]

87. With a Havahart trap and trips to the SPCA. A neighbor feeds them.

[PeaceNikki]

58. Logical. Survival of the fittest and all.

Fuck the stupid birds.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

59. Precisely

99.99% will avoid the cat. That 0.01%? Really stupid.

[PeaceNikki]

68. They're illegal aliens, ya know.

[BikeWriter]

60. Fuck the stupid birds? Not ecology minded, huh?

[PeaceNikki]

61. Not with regards to the birds too stupid to get caught.

Try to keep up.

[In_The_Wind]

51. I would like to think they do!

I see so many animals who have lost their lives due to uncaring humans.x(
I hope they all make it across The Rainbow Bridge for each of them had a family. Yes, I believe that animals have the capacity to miss each other.

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

53. Thank you, yes, yes, they have.

:hug:

[suninvited]

66. One really has to wonder, though

how many millions of bird deaths a year can be attributed solely to man. How many are hit by cars, run into electrical lines or wind turbines, nests destroyed by construction, hit by planes, shot by hunters, lose their homes to loggers etc, etc etc.

I would say the cat damage probably pales in comparison.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

67. Shhh...don't say that

He'll just start sputtering about evil cats again.

Not to mention how many birds are killed by *gasp* OTHER BIRDS!

[BikeWriter]

70. I would ask why you choose to ignore it? I can't.

They're being killed in my yard!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

72. Apparently, so are cats

[BikeWriter]

74. Why would I raise feral kittens in my house and find them homes...

if I were killing cats? :shrug:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

76. You've posted before that you think they should be euthanized instead of TNR

And that you don't see anything wrong with shooting ferals.

It's a safe assumption.

[PeaceNikki]

77. Not to mention this and other obsessive threads about it.

Oh, and the avatar.

Oh, and the blog posted in profile.

[BikeWriter]

80. I am trying to prevent the extinction of more species of our fauna.

Thank you.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

82. What about the bigger issues of habitat loss and pollution?

Why do you ignore them?

[PeaceNikki]

84. While SPAMMING DU is commendable and valient, I doubt it's real effective.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

85. +1

[BikeWriter]

86. Despite your responses, some have agreed with me.

[BikeWriter]

78. TNR doesn't work. It doesn't stop the killing! The bird killing goes on,

doesn't it?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

81. You keep ignoring the bigger issue

Why?

[BikeWriter]

88. You choose to ignore the cats killing the birds, why?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

89. Because I think the bigger issues of habitat destruction and pollution are where to focus

You seem to mostly have cat issues by your spamming, blog and avatar.

[BikeWriter]

90. Please explain how that makes you right and me wrong?

:shrug:

[BikeWriter]

91. Trap, neuter Release Guru admits results don't work quickly.

Here's a quote from Dr. Julie Levy, in National Geographic. My question is how many hundreds of millions or billions of our native birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish have the re-abandoned feral domestic cats of Operation Catnip disemboweled and devoured while their members cooed over the cute little fuzzie wuzzies they'd (humanely) saved?

'In a study conducted by Levy over an 11-year period, she found the cats lived an average of 7 years after being spayed and brought back to their territory.

" It's become a double-edged sword, because we're happy for the cats that they're living life and in good health," Levy said. " But it also means that we can't expect our neuter programs to work really quickly."'
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0907_040907_feralcats_2.html

[BikeWriter]

92. Feral cats are NOT wildlife in need of support

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:TzKSmeGWLNIJ:www.palouseaudubon.org/Misc/FeralCats.pdf+Bird+Advocates+Feral+Cat+Information&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

(reprinted from Crossing Paths newsletter, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Wild birds and free-ranging cats are not a good mix. As a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary manager, you most likely keep your cat confined and talk to cat-owning neighbors about doing the same. But what about homeless cats? “Feral” cats, which are usually strays that are untamed or wild, are estimated to range from 60 to 100 million throughout the United States. They are NOT wildlife. Feral cats are non-native predators that can, and have, seriously damaged wild bird and other wildlife populations.
While domestic cats are solitary animals, colonies of feral cats often form around food sources like bird feeding stations, garbage dumps, or places where people deliberately leave food for them. In fact, many colonies of feral cats are supported by well-meaning, but misinformed, advocates of what’s become known as “TNR” management: Trap, Neuter, Release. This wrong solution to a tragic problem works this way: Feral cats are trapped and taken to a clinic or veterinarian for disease testing. Those that are seriously ill or test positive for contagious diseases are usually euthanized, otherwise they are simply spayed or neutered. Then the feral cats are released back to where they were trapped and where they are supplied with food and water daily.
The theory behind TNR programs, which are funded by both private and public entities across the country, is eventual reduction of feral cat colonies. But sadly, such claims are not substantiated. Cat colonies often serve as dumping grounds for other unwanted cats. The food provided usually attracts more cats. Contrary to TNR proponent beliefs, colony cats do NOT keep other cats from joining the colony. As time goes on, some colony cats become too wary to be caught, so rarely are all spayed or neutered.
With females capable of producing up to three litters of four to six kittens each every year, it doesn’t take long to grow a feral cat colony. Well-fed cats, either feral or domestic, are “super-predators” of birds and other wildlife. The need to eat and the instinct to hunt can and do function separately. Any cat owner can attest to this fact with stories of “gift birds” laid at their feet by feline companions.
There is extensive documentation that free-roaming cats are prolific and efficient predators, even if, and especially when, they are regularly fed. Almost one-fifth of all injured wildlife brought to Washington’s wildlife rehabilitators across the state was harmed by cats.