3
Declawing may reduce hunting
success, but many declawed
cats are still effective
predators.
In most areas, the person
who provides care for a cat is
legally responsible for its
welfare and control. It is usually
the responsibility of the owner
to control the cat’s
movements.
Many municipalities have
leash laws and require
vaccination and neutering of
pet cats. Because laws vary,
one should check local
ordinances for the appropriate
way to deal with stray cats.
Cats are popular pets. In
order to have and care for our
pets – and still protect our
native wildlife – we must make
an effort to limit, in a humane
manner, the adverse effects
free-ranging cats can have on
wildlife.
(This article was condensed from
Cats and Wildlife—
A Conservation Dilemma
by John S. Coleman, Stanley A. Temple,
and Scott R. Craven,
University of Wisconsin–Madison)
WindStar Wildlife Institute is a
national, non-profit, conservation
organization whose mission is to help
individuals and families establish or
improve the wildlife habitat on their
properties.
For more information or for the name
of a Master Wildlife Habitat Naturalist
in your area, please contact:
WindStar Wildlife Institute
10072 Vista Ct. • Myersville, MD 21773
Phone: 301-293-3351
E-mail: wildlife@windstar.org
http://www.windstar.org
