Feeding urban wildlife — from foxes to pigeons to squirrels — is common and well-intentioned but can have unintended welfare consequences. Evidence-based approaches minimise harm.
The impulse to feed urban wildlife comes from genuine care, but it can inadvertently cause welfare harm. Concentrating animals at artificial feeding points increases disease transmission risk, may alter natural behaviours and movements to the animals detriment, and sometimes involves providing food that causes nutritional deficiencies. The welfare-conscious approach to urban wildlife feeding uses appropriate foods (grain and leafy vegetables for ducks, rather than bread), avoids creating dependency, considers the downstream effects on animal health, and recognises that non-intervention is sometimes the kindest choice.