PAC says: Who killed cock robin? Cat predation.

The Pet Advisory Committee has become alarmed at some of the sensationalist claims made as to the extent of cat predation. These claims do not appear to be scientifically based and are the result of a number of erroneous assumptions, one of which is that all cats hunt to the same degree, which is obviously not the case.

More prey are caught by rural cats than urban cats due to rural cats having a much greater territorial range and prey availability than those in towns. Indeed, where large wildlife population decreases have taken place it has been in the main in the countryside, where far fewer cats exist, rather than in the towns. However, the vast majority of cats live in towns and the failure to take this into account makes any projections entirely erroneous.

Moreover, it can be seen that other factors play a much more significant role on longer-term trends in wild animal population, such as the impact of man. The impact of road traffic, the increase of development and the changes in farming methods (eg pesticides and the destruction of hedgerows) can be seen to be far more harmful.

The PAC recognises that little can be done to curb a cat’s predatory instinct for physically attacking birds. But action can be taken to minimise the damage that nature invites:

• Keep birds tables away from fences and ledges which cats use as a perch;
• Garden centres stock ‘anti squirrel’ bird feeders;
• Be aware of when the fledgling season is – starts in spring and runs through to August – when plenty of defenceless birds are around;
• Cat proof garden, for example placing a bird feeder over a pond or growing prickly plants around the base of the bird table;

Put food out throughout the year, but don’t leave it lying around if not taken because this would encourage rodents.