House cats are “an ecological peril” because they roam Canadian cities to hunt birds, say federal bureaucrats.
“How can we reduce bird deaths due to cats?” says a report from Canada’s Environmental Department, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
The report, “Green Cities: Benefits For All,” described cats as “predators on the prowl,” noting how tens of thousands of felines routinely hunt for birds in a typical major city.
“Urban greenspaces provide food and shelter for migratory birds, but they can face many threats like predation by outdoor cats,” wrote the department.
The report proposes no solutions, and pets are regulated by municipal bylaws. However, the report says federal research will “explore how neighbourhoods can protect and restore nature in cities,” without elaborating.
“Did you know there could be up to 48,000 cats roaming in Gatineau, Que., according to researchers’ estimates?” said the report.
“Most cats avoid parks and stay close to buildings. This puts birds that visit backyard feeders at greater risk of predation. Others roam across areas as large as 38 hectares in southwest Ontario.”
Canadians keep 8.5 million cats, according to the Canadian Animal Health Institute.
A 2023 federal study found 53% of households with pets owned a cat. Residents in Atlantic Canada have the highest ownership of cats.
Ontario residents were most likely to keep rodents as pets, said a report by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.