Wildlife Welfare

Wild Bird Mortality from Domestic Cats

Free-roaming domestic and feral cats are among the leading causes of wild bird mortality, with significant implications for conservation.

Key Facts

Cats kill an estimated 1.3-4 billion birds annually in North America alone
In the UK, cats kill 55 million birds per year according to Mammal Society estimates
Bell collars reduce hunting success by approximately 50%
Wildlife-detecting collars like CatAlert show promise in further reducing kills
Keeping cats indoors or in enclosed outdoor spaces eliminates the problem entirely

Welfare Considerations

The suffering caused to wild birds by cat predation is both ecologically significant and a welfare concern for individual prey animals. Responsible cat ownership requires active measures to reduce hunting impact.

What You Can Do

Keep cats indoors or provide enclosed catios
Fit cats with wildlife-detecting collar systems or bell collars
Advocate for local policies requiring cat containment in biodiversity-sensitive areas