Be aware of dangers posed by feral cats

As active members of the birdwatching community and supporters of our Metro Parks system, we were shocked to see the Morning Journal’s frontpage story on Jan. 27 highlighting community efforts to help take care of feral and stray cats.

Various scientific studies show the great detriment that feral cats are to our small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. It is estimated that free ranging domestic cats kill 6.3 billion to 22.3 billion mammals and 1.3 billion to 3.7 billion birds each year in the U.S., according to an article published in 2013 in the Nature Communications scientific journal.

In addition, free ranging cats act as reservoirs to diseases that can sicken humans, native wildlife and domestic animals such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, bartonellosis, typhus and feline immunodeficiency virus, according to a 2011 position statement from The Wildlife Society, an international nonprofit association involved in wildlife stewardship through science and education.

Would you feel the same if this was a pack of dogs or coyotes in your neighborhood?

It is laudable to read about Holly Miller and the steps she takes to care for stray cats. We’re glad to learn of Storm’s Angels, and are eager to support their efforts. Another rehab effort in the Sandusky area is Back to the Wild. The group’s Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/BacktothewildOhio. Not only have they rehabbed rarities like eagles and loons, but present educational programs to area schools. Perhaps this is a calling for Holly Miller and her boyfriend Jim?

There are a myriad of research studies and papers and articles on this subject.

Two of several good references can be found at bsbo.org or wildlife.org. Faye and Tom Stahl Vermilion