Outdoor Cats Posing a Threat to VT Wildlife - FOX44 - Burlington / Plattsburgh News, Weather & Sports

Outdoor Cats Posing a Threat to VT Wildlife

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WASHINGTON -

Outdoor cats are posing a threat to Vermont wildlife.

According to a press release, a study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that cats are the single greatest cause of human-caused mortality to birds and mammals, killing an estimated average of 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals each year in the United States.

"Cats pose a threat to Vermont's songbirds, such as robins, bluebirds and cardinals," said Vermont Fish & Wildlife bird biologist John Buck.  "Cats may even restrict the statewide recovery of some rare birds.  The whip-poor-will, which is a state threatened species, can easily fall prey to roaming cats during their nesting season."

Cats can dwindle down populations of other species that Vermonters value such as ducks, rabbits, and hares.

To prevent this, the Fish & Wildlife Department recommends that cats are spayed or neutered. The department also recommends pet owners consider keeping indoor cats, both for the protection of wildlife and for the health of their pet.

You can read the study here.

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