[A study] show[s] [that domestic cats] eat more than 2,000 species globally – including hundreds that are of conservation concern.
“Our study sheds light on the predatory habits of one of the world’s most successful and widely distributed invasive predators,” the researchers, led by Christopher Lepczyk from Auburn University in the US, wrote in the paper.
It really needs to be more socially acceptable to name and shame people that allow their cats to roam free outdoors. I’d also like to see some changes to pet ownership laws to prohibit/discourage it as well. A cat found outside a home (and not on a leash or in an enclosed cage) should immediately bring considerable financial repercussions down on the owner as well as removal of the cat from their “care”. If I get caught killing wild animals with my own hands (especially protected ones) then I am legally in deep shit, yet cat owners can get away with it with impunity. They’re basically letting a super predator roam free to slaughter wildlife while also putting it in incredible danger from other predators or cars.
People that let their cats roam outdoors are absolutely fucking atrocious pet owners and should be treated as such.
My mom has several cats and I tried to tell her this but she insists “this is just what cats do” and it is the natural order for cats to roam free outdoors. She thinks people who say cats belong indoors are out of touch with reality.
If someone tried to keep me in a house for the rest of my life I’d probably try to kill them. What would you do?
Personally, I find the idea of owning a living thing a lot worse than letting one come and go as it pleases. It didn’t consent, and you have no right.
If you want animals to come and go as they please then don’t have pets. Leave the animals in the wild. Get yourself a bird table.