Thank you every much Richard, I two am a cat lover and there are a lot around my neighbourhoods luckily most of them are bad hunters any way. I was always lead to believe that it wasn't natural but they were from a pest control unit so they seemed like they knew what they were talking about.
I have helped out at a wild bird hospital for a good number of years and injured wild birds from cats are far too common. This is where one treads on sensitive ground and needs to be careful how one handles the situation. Many owners hate to admit that cat attacks are not natural. They are not natural because of these facts;
1. As pointed out cats are domestic not wild animals (nature never intended to have so many in a small area. Usually one cat will patrol a wide area alone- something that doesn't happen in urban areas. This is why cat fights are common in some areas). 2 Some birds and animals sustain injuries as most cats have lost their natural instant killer instinct - some of the injuries inflicted I've seen are sometimes upsetting). 3. Most cats will kill and play with the victim for their own joy as in the wild, they catch for food. So as domestic cats are already well fed, they have no reason to catch for food.
I do love cats myself and the info noted is by no means single minded. The best anyone can do to prevent most attacks in their garden is to try some of the products that the rspb have in their catalogue and if anyone has a cat, I would please request for them to have a bell collar put on. The Pet store owners should be able to advise how these are fitted properly. Hope this is helpful and wish all bird/animal and cat lovers all the best.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 11th of August 2015 06:23:58 PM
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
This morning at around 9:40 I saw a cat trying to catch a mouse but the mouse was in perfect health so I ran over hissing at the cat to get away which was then I was advised by someone over the road to leave the cat alone. The mouse hid under a car and was followed by the cat. I then was told by the person it was nature and leave it alone. I said it wasn't nature due to the fact that cats were introduce into this country and that the cat had probally been fed and was not going to eat the mouse and just leave it for dead. In the end I decided to leave it be and agreed with them. Which distressed me quite a lot because I could still see the mouse being batted around by the cat. I would like to know what I could do next time I'm in this situation. I should probally add that I am not against cats or dogs or other native animals killing hunting for its food but a cat harming a mouse which I wasn't able to save even though it was in perfect condition.
-- Edited by Joel Tragen on Tuesday 11th of August 2015 04:52:27 PM
-- Edited by Joel Tragen on Tuesday 11th of August 2015 04:53:29 PM
-- Edited by Joel Tragen on Tuesday 11th of August 2015 04:55:58 PM
-- Edited by Joel Tragen on Tuesday 11th of August 2015 06:59:25 PM
