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North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre warns of impact of outdoor cats
The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRA) has highlighted the significant impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife populations. Scientists estimate that cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians annually. In Canada, domestic and feral cats kill millions of birds each year, contributing to population declines in some species by as much as 90 percent. Historically, cats have been linked to the extinction of 33 bird species.
Beyond direct predation, cat saliva can carry bacteria that cause fatal septicemia in small animals. NIWRA also warned of health risks to the cats themselves, noting that hunting domestic cats can contract and spread the H5N1 avian flu after contact with sick birds. To mitigate these impacts, the center recommends keeping cats indoors, using secure outdoor enclosures known as 'catios,' spaying or neutering, and supervising pets when outdoors.
Entities
Canada · Errington · NIWRA · North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre · SPCA
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Domestic and feral cats kill millions of birds in Canada every year. todayinbc.com · albernivalleynews.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Bacteria in cat saliva can cause fatal septicemia in birds and small animals. todayinbc.com · albernivalleynews.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cats have been responsible for the extinction of 33 bird species over many centuries. todayinbc.com · albernivalleynews.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Domestic cats that hunt can contract and spread the H5N1 avian flu virus. todayinbc.com · albernivalleynews.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Some bird species in Canada have declined by up to 90 per cent due to cat predation. todayinbc.com · albernivalleynews.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Free-roaming cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians annually. todayinbc.com · albernivalleynews.com · pqbnews.com