The RSPB also advises that feeders should be placed about 2m from dense vegetation, preventing surprise attacks from cats but giving birds easy access to cover. If in doubt about collar fitting, ask your vet for advice. 'It needs to be firmly fitted - you should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between your cat's collar and its neck. Giving these cats a collar with a bell to wear will help save birds but, for the safety of the cat, make sure that it is a quick release collar that snaps open if it gets caught on a branch. 'Ĭlaire Bessant, of International Cat Care, added: 'Only a small proportion of cats develop the 3D skills necessary to catch adult birds. Along with International Cat Care, the RSPB is happy to endorse correctly fitted quick-release collars mounted with bells as an effective way of reducing wildlife kill rates. One thing which distresses many people, cat lovers, bird lovers or devotees to both, is cats killing garden birds. This is in the best interests of the cats too, as roaming cats may be more likely to encounter disease, fight with other cats, be involved in traffic collisions or be stolen.Īndy Evans, of the RSPB, said: 'Cats are certainly an emotive subject. Consider having cats neutered to prevent them wandering and producing unwanted kittens. If your circumstances change and you can no longer keep your pet, or if you are aware of feral or abandoned cats, contact an animal welfare charity for advice in order to prevent the feral cat population from increasing.Keep your cat indoors when birds are most vulnerable: at least an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise, especially during March-July and December-January, and also after bad weather, such as rain or a cold spell, to allow birds to come out and feed.Creating a stimulating environment at home and modifying garden fences to help keep cats in can also help to reduce cat roaming (although it will not prevent them catching birds). Cats should always be well-fed and cared-for, but this may also encourage them to stay near home and be less likely to wander where they are not welcome.There are commercially-available sonic collars which are designed to alert the potential prey to the cats presence. The collar must be correctly fitted and should have a quick release mechanism to allow the cat to free itself, should it become snagged. Recent studies suggest that colourful collars may also reduce predation of birds, and may reduce predation of mice and voles, too.
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