Can you imagine how dismayed I was to see a large
cream-colored cat pawing and gnawing on a cardinal bird this spring? Each year, free-roaming domestic cats
kill hundreds of millions of birds and small mammals, some of which are rare
species in danger of extinction. In addition, millions of outdoor cats are
killed or injured by cars or in fights with others cats, dogs, or wild animals.
Free-roaming cats can contract debilitating and life-threatening diseases,
become lost, stolen, or poisoned. It is clearly in the best interest of both
cats and birds to keep cats inside at home (American Bird Conservancy).
This summarizes quite succinctly why pet owners should be
keeping their cats as indoor pets only. For the safety of your pet and for the
well-being of other animals, please keep your pet inside.
It also is against Madison Ordinances to allow cats or
dogs to roam freely and fines and impoundment are a possibility. Madison Ordinance (Code 23.32) clearly
states that it is unlawful for the owner or keeper of any cat or dog to permit
the same to run at large in the City of Madison. A dog or cat shall be deemed
to be at large when it is off the premises of its owner or keeper, unless under
the control of a person and restrained by means of a chain, rope or cord of
sufficient strength and of a length not to exceed six feet to control the
action of a such dog or cat.
Many bird lovers and animal lovers in our neighborhood
treasure the birds we try to attract in our neighborhood. Let's work together
to keep the birds here so that all of us can enjoy the birds.
For more information see www.abcbirds.org
- A Bird Lover from the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood
Return to
Fall 2003 Table of Contents