Until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

This is my cat Baci.  He's an American shorthair, but his name is Italian for 'kisses' -- which is very fitting, because as you can see, he's got a very kissable mug.

But don't let that fool you.  Baci is a former street cat.  And I fear that if turned loose on the public, he would revert to his prior life and go on a bird killing spree - or at least start stealing cars.

According to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), 95 million feral and outdoor cats kill more than 500 million birds every year.  ABC vice president Darin Schroeder recently penned a letter to U.S. city mayors, urging them to oppose programs that call for the trapping, neutering and release of feral cats.

Schroeder also says outdoor and feral cats are at risk for rabies, parasites and of course being struck by automobiles.  ABC is promoting a message campaign called "Cats Indoors" which encourages people to keep their furry little bird-murderers indoors, or in outdoor enclosures or tethered.

However, from my experience you have to watch a tethered cat closely.  A few years ago, Baci nearly bagged a low-flying bird while on a leash outside my apartment.  Killer.

Minnesota News

The Cities Blog

Brandt Williams

Author

The American Bird Conservancy wants mayors to oppose programs that call for the trapping, neutering and release of feral cats.

Keep the bird killers indoors

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox