Companion Animals & Conservation A Community Solution

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1 Companion Animals & Conservation A Community Solution Karen Kraus Executive Director Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon info@feralcats.com Bob Sallinger Conservation Director Audubon Society of Portland bsallinger@audubonportland.org

2 What is Collaboration? 1. The action of working with someone to produce or create something. 2. Traitorous cooperation with an enemy.

3 Why Collaboration is Challenging

4 Why Work Together? Greater impact Reach a wider and more diverse audience Spend your time on solutions not arguing Communities support collaborations More funding options

5 Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon & Audubon Society of Portland Why we aren t traitorous enemies

6 Public Attitude Survey on Support for TNR

7 Public Attitude Survey on Cats Living Indoors

8 Similar Goal Shelter Cats Feral/ Stray Cats Pet Cats

9 The Fear (from bird groups) Shelter Cats Feral/ Stray Cats Pet Cats

10 The Goal Shelter Cats Feral/ Stray Cats Pet Cats

11 Background about the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon

12 Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon Our focus is helping caregivers who are feeding feral or outdoor stray cats.

13 Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon Our Mission: To improve the welfare and decrease the population of feral and stray cats through spay/neuter programs and education.

14 Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon

15 Why we Partnered with Audubon We recognize that cats in the environment have an impact They understood TNR has a place in the mix Core value is collaboration We want fewer cats in the environment

16 Background about the Audubon Society of Portland

17 Audubon Society of Portland Largest chapter of National Audubon Society with over 17,000 members in Portland Metro Area Primary focus on habitat protection Also works to address other threats to birds and wildlife

hundreds. William Finley American Birds (1907) The Bird Clinic cared for 52 birds including 16 species.

18 Audubon Society of Portland We have tried every lawful way of getting rid of stray cats. They are the most persistent enemy birds have A man may be fined for killing a bird but he may own a cat that kills hundreds. William Finley American Birds (1907) The Bird Clinic cared for 52 birds including 16 species. Of these 28 were liberated and 24 died.many were badly injured, and some with only one wing, cats having amputated the other. Portland Audubon Annual Report (1944)

19 Audubon Society of Portland

Audubon Wildlife Care Center Causes of Injury 1987-2012 Sample

Unknown 20% Human Interference 12% Hit by Car 9% Orphaned 6% Hit

20 Audubon Wildlife Care Center Causes of Injury Sample Size: 75,000 Intakes Cause of injury % of Intakes Cat Caught 21% Unknown 20% Human Interference 12% Hit by Car 9% Orphaned 6% Hit window 5% Dog Caught 3% Habitat Destruction 2% Gunshot 1% Poison 1% Other 23%

Why we Partnered with the FCCO Recognition that cats do have a significant impact on birds and wildlife Willingness to adopt a multi-dimensional approach Common goal of

23 Why we Partnered with the FCCO Recognition that cats do have a significant impact on birds and wildlife Willingness to adopt a multi-dimensional approach Common goal of reducing the number of cats in the environment Shared value of concern for animals Opportunity to reach broader audience and take multiple strategies to a significantly larger scale

24 Why we Partnered Bird advocates and cat advocates have achieved a rate détente in Portland Bruce Barcott New York Times Magazine (2007)

Basic Principles of the Partnership Emphasize protecting birds and cats rather than bird versus cats; Recognize that caring about cats and caring about birds are not mutually exclusive; Focus on

25 Basic Principles of the Partnership Emphasize protecting birds and cats rather than bird versus cats; Recognize that caring about cats and caring about birds are not mutually exclusive; Focus on long-term solutions rather than symptoms: Make it personal through use of local statistics. Implement a multi-dimensional approach with research and adaptive management Respect one another s values

26 Our Partners

27 Strategies Strong educational outreach campaign to promote responsible pet ownership ( Cats Safe At Home ) Multi-dimensional approach to reducing feral cat populations including TNR and shelter based programs Aggressive spay and neuter programs Prioritization of removal of cats from designated natural areas and designated critical habitat areas Options for property owners who want to protect wildlife on their land Indemnity for native predatory species that may prey upon free-roaming, stray and feral cats Responsible management of feral cat colonies that minimizes the risk of attracting, habituating and otherwise impacting native wildlife populations; Scientific research and adaptive management Transparent Reporting

28 Joint Projects The Safe at Home Campaign seeks to engage the community and encourage people to not let their pet cats roam free. Fewer free-roaming cats = fewer future feral cats and less predation on wildlife.

29 Catio Tours Inspire people Hands on way to get people involved Way to raise awareness about free-roaming cats Motivate change It s fun!

30 Catio Tours

31 Catio Tours

32 Catio Tours

33 Hayden Island Cat Project

34 Hayden Island Cat Project

population estimate Sterilization rate Detection probability

35 Feral/stray cat population Road-based cat count survey estimate Cat care giver interviews Owned cat survey Feral/stray cat population estimate Sterilization rate Detection probability Cat distribution patterns Repeat periodically to assess population trend

36 Hayden Island Cat Surveys Preliminary Results

37 Challenges to Collaboration Building support within organizations Understanding philosophical differences Staying focused on goals Agreeing to compromise Time Funding ideas Keeping programs from outside the area from impacting local work

Key Issues for Conservation Groups Recognition that cat predation on birds is a legitimate concern Recognition that cats are an introduced predator Acceptance that there needs to be a variety of

38 Key Issues for Conservation Groups Recognition that cat predation on birds is a legitimate concern Recognition that cats are an introduced predator Acceptance that there needs to be a variety of approaches, including TNR, removal and lethal control although we should be striving for better outcomes. Recognition that no kill does not address ecological impacts or other community concerns. No kill alone simply transfers problems. Adaptive management---evaluate all of the different approaches and modify as necessary to achieve change on the ground

and differences Agree to small first steps Focus locally

39 Steps for Working Together Look for where your goals overlap Be sincere Listen to each other Respect values and differences Agree to small first steps Focus locally Evaluate, learn and adaptively manage Honest and transparent

40 Thank You!

Cats and Wildlife An Unorthodox Approach to Reducing Cat Predation on Birds in the Portland Metropolitan Region

Cats and Wildlife An Unorthodox Approach to Reducing Cat Predation on Birds in the Portland Metropolitan Region Bob Sallinger Conservation Director Audubon Society of Portland bsallinger@audubonportland.org