How Our Pets Create Problems For Wildlife

This world does not belong to people. We share it with all other living creatures-our friends and family, our pets, wild animals, and even plants. Most of us enjoy having wildlife nearby. We like to see colorful birds and hear their songs, and we enjoy watching the antics of squirrels as they chase one another around our yard. But sometimes, without intending it, people and their pets create problems for our wild neighbors.

Cats

Cats make wonderful pets. But when cats are allowed to roam free they certainly cause problems for wildlife. Scientists estimate that free-roaming cats kill hundreds of millions of birds and more than a billion other small wildlife in just the United States each year alone. Cats kill common birds and small mammals as well as rare and endangered species. 

Cats are not "bad." They are only doing what is natural for a predator. Predators are an important part of every ecosystem, but domestic cats are not part of those ecosystems. That's why they cause problems for our native wildlife.

Unfortunately, many people think it is cruel to keep their cats indoors. Nothing could be further from the truth. The world outside is a dangerous place for a cat. That's why the average indoor-only cat lives up to three times longer than a cat who goes outdoors. If you love your cat, and wildlife, you'll keep it inside. If you'd like to learn more about cats and wildlife, visit the American Bird Conservancy's "Cats Indoors!" website at http://www.abcbirds.org/catindoo.htm

Dogs

Our dogs don't cause quite as many problems for wildlife as cats, but they still cause the death of many wild birds, mammals, and reptiles. If we want to encourage wildlife to live near our homes, we have to keep our dogs under control. This isn't just for the benefit of wildlife. The world is just as dangerous for dogs as for cats, and for the same reasons-cars, poisons, other animals, and disease. Responsible pet owners don't let their dogs run loose.

Other Pets

There are many popular "exotic" pets, including iguanas, various kinds of snakes and lizards, pygmy hedgehogs, etc. Quite often, people purchase these animals at pet stores or flea markets on a whim. Many of these animals are difficult and expensive to care for. Sometimes their owners get bored with them and think that turning them loose is the best solution.

But not all of the animals you can buy in the pet store are from the area where you live. Some of them are from other continents. Most of the unwanted pets that are turned loose to fend for themselves die. Sometimes they starve to death; sometimes they die of disease. This is a very cruel "solution" to the problem of an unwanted pet.

And it's cruel to our native wildlife as well. Some of our exotic pets carry diseases that can wipe out our native wildlife. Sometimes they compete with wildlife for food and space. It's a bad situation for everyone.

If you find yourself with an unwanted pet-it doesn't matter whether it's a dog or a cat or an iguana or a hedgehog-call your local Humane Society or SPCA affiliate. The people there can help you find a proper home for the animal.

Living with animals enriches our lives, be they the wild animals we enjoy from a distance as they lead their natural lives around us or the companion animals with whom we share our homes. Our love brings with it a responsibility to see to the well being of all animals. We can protect wild animals from harm, try to make their environment safe and healthy and do whatever we can to make the world a place that nurtures them. We can protect our companion animals by remembering their needs, by keeping them safe from harm and by respecting their individuality and their lives. Let's cherish them all, and feel lucky that we share this world. It would be a quiet place, without them.