Wildlife Welfare

Wild Bird Cat Predation Mitigation

Domestic and feral cats are one of the leading human-associated causes of wild bird mortality globally. Practical mitigation strategies can significantly reduce predation.

Key Facts

UK cats kill an estimated 55 million birds annually
Fledgling season (May-July) sees peak predation rates
Bell collars reduce predation by approximately 40-50%
Brightly colored collars may be more effective than bells
Keeping cats indoors during dawn and dusk reduces bird kills

Welfare Considerations

Cat predation causes direct suffering and death to billions of wild birds annually worldwide. Both the birds caught - many of whom are not killed instantly - and wildlife populations affected by population-level losses suffer welfare consequences. Responsible cat ownership can dramatically reduce this impact.

What You Can Do

Fit your cat with a predation-reducing collar
Keep cats indoors during peak bird activity (dawn and dusk)
Create bird-safe garden zones with dense planting
Join campaigns promoting responsible cat ownership for wildlife