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

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Randall Watson
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1 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 (503) ext 110

3 Bird advocates and cat advocates have achieved a rare détente in Portland

4 Pacific Flyway Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan region lies in the middle of a bird superhighway known as the Pacific flyway. Millions of birds pass through our region each year on their north and south migrations. For many species our region provides critical nesting an wintering habitat.

~25% of our Common Bird Species are in Serious Decline Common Oregon birds species with greater than 50% population declines during the past 40 years include: Barn

5 ~25% of our Common Bird Species are in Serious Decline Common Oregon birds species with greater than 50% population declines during the past 40 years include: Barn Swallows American Goldfinches Rufous Hummingbirds Olive-sided Flycatchers Orange-crowned Warblers Golden-crowned Kinglets Killdeer Mourning Doves House Wrens Western Meadowlark

9 Washington Columbia River Mt. Saint Helens Mt. Adams Oregon Vancouver Portland Mt. Hood Source: Metro

10 Mike Houck

12 Data source: Erickson et al., 2002, Summary of Anthropogenic Causes of Bird Mortality 5500 For every 10,000 birds killed by human activities, less than one is caused by a wind turbine <1 Buildings & Windows Cats Other High Tension Lines Vehicles Pesticides Communication Towers Wind turbines

13 Audubon Wildlife Care Center

14 The Bird Clinic cared for 52 birds including 16 species. Of these 28 were liberated and 24 died. Some were nestlings that needed careful raising but many were badly injured, and some with only one wing, cats having amputated the other. Altogether Mrs. Eliot had a very busy summer. It took most of her spare time and often got her out of bed in the wee small hours of the morning to get the babies and cripples cared for. The results have been noted in much increased interest in the sanctuary by those who brought in birds, and in many memberships. Portland Audubon Annual Report 1944

15 Wildlife Care Center Data Total Number of Intakes: >60,000 Total Number of phone calls: ~300,000

16 Causes of Injury Cause of injury % of Intakes (average) 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%

17 Causes of Injury 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%

Causes of Injury 1987-2006 Cause of injury % of Intakes Cat Caught 21% Unknown 20% Human Interference 12%

18 Causes of Injury 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%

19 Cat Caught Wildlife Birds: Acorn Woodpecker American Crow American Goldfinch American Kestrel American Robin Anna Hummingbird Audubon s Warbler Band-tailed Pigeon Belted Kingfisher Black-capped Chickadee Black-headed Grosbeak Barn Swallow Bewick s Wren Brewer s Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Bushtit California Quail Canada Goose Canyon Wren Cedar Waxwing Chestnutbacked Chickadee Chuckar Cliff Swallow Common Snipe Common Merganser Cooper s hawk Dark-eyed Junco Downy Woodpecker European Starling Evening Grosbeak Fox Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Hutton s Vireo Lesser Goldfinch MacGillivray s Warbler Mallard Merlin Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Northern Oriole Northern Pygmy Owl Olive-sided Flycatcher Orange-crowned Warbler Pine Siskin Purple Finch Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Sapsucker Red-winged Blackbird Ring-necked Duck Ring-necked Pheasant Rock Dove Ruby Crowned Kinglet

20 Cat Caught Wildlife Continued Birds: Rufous Hummingbird Rufous-sided towhee Sandpiper Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Sharp-shinned Hawk Steller s Jay Swainson s Thrush Townsend s Solitaire Townsend s Warbler Tree Swallow Varied Thrush Vaux Swift Violet green Swallow Virginia Rail Western Meadowlark Western Screech Owl Western Scrub Jay Western Tanager White-breasted Nuthatch White-crowned Sparrow Willow Flycatcher Wilson s Warbler Wood Duck Winter Wren Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Mammals: Big Brown Bat Brush Rabbit Bushy-tailed Woodrat California Ground Squirrel Douglas Squirrel Eastern gray Squirrel Fox Squirrel Gray-tailed Vole Little Brown Bat Mole Mountain Beaver Northern Flying Squirrel Virginia Opossum Short-tailed Weasel Townsend s Chipmunk White-footed Mouse Reptiles and Amphibians Garter Snake

23 Cause of Injury as Percentage of Total Intakes % of Intakes w 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Year Cat Caught Human Interference Hit by Car Orphaned Hit Window Dog Caught Habitat Destruction

27 What is the extinction of the condor to a child who has never known a wren? -Robert Michael Pyle

29 Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon

30 Basic Elements of the Audubon/ FCC 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: Responsible Pet Ownership; Make it personal through use of local statistics;

31 Strategies Educational Outreach on responsible pet ownership; Removal of feral cats from established natural areas; Development of guidelines for care of feral cat colonies; Enforcement of animal abandonment laws; Development of no feed ordinances.

33 Portland Audubon/ FCC Public Service Announcements Script: 15 Seconds Free roaming cats kill tens of thousands of wild birds each year and are a primary cause of cat overpopulation. Help protect wildlife and reduce cat overpopulations by housing cats indoors, in an outside enclosure or walking cats on a leash Its good for cats and its good for wildlife. This message has been brought to you be the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon and the Portland Audubon Society

35 As a supporter of FCCO, you know that cat overpopulation is a serious problem. Since free-roaming cats are the leading source of feral cats, and the leading source of wildlife intakes at Audubon is also from free-roaming cats, it makes sense that our two groups work together on a solution that helps cats and wildlife. This campaign is not targeting feral cats, but rather encouraging the community to be a part of the solution by preventing future generations of feral cats and in helping reduce predation on local wildlife

36 Many of the dangers facing birds and wildlife in general, are caused by humans. The depletion of habitat is the main reason, but secondary causes such as pesticides, invasive species and the impact of domestic animals are also very significant and can t be overlooked. Springtime is an important time of the year to take extra precaution and keep your cat indoors or confined in an Enclosure or fenced area. Wildlife all around us are trying to safely rear their young, and they need your help. Since the leading source of feral cats is free-roaming housecats, and the leading source of wildlife intakes at Audubon is from free-roaming cats, it makes sense that the two groups work together on a solution that helps cats and wildlife. We are currently exploring avenues to get a simple message out: Spay and neuter, and don t let your housecat roam free. It s good for the cats and it s good for wildlife.

37 Shelter Cats Feral/ Stray Cats Pet Cats

38 The Fear. Shelter Cats Feral/ Stray Cats Pet Cats

39 The Goal Shelter Cats Feral/ Stray Cats Pet Cats

40 Multnomah County Animal Services Cat Intakes versus Euthanasia Number of Cats Intakes Euthanasia Year

41 Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland Cat Intakes versus Euthanasia Number of Cats Intakes Euthaniasias Year

42 Oregon Shelter Statistics Oregon Humane Society Number of Cats Cats Received Cats Euthanized Year

43 Challenges Reducing kill rates at shelters trumps all other concerns; Elimination of other options for addressing catrelated impacts; Shifting of responsibility away from cat owners and cat caregivers Sending message that free-roaming, stray and feral cats are not a concern; Lack of change on the landscape; Ultimately that we wind-up with more free-roaming, stray and feral cats; Outside agendas.

44 Accomplishments/ Next Steps Accomplishments: $28,000 in funding $15,000-$20,000 in free television and radio production and public service announcements 140 public service announcement (television) 50 public service announcements (radio) Earned local media stories (television, radio, newspaper) Earned national media stories (New York Times, HSUS) Brochure Campaign pages on Audubon and FCC Websites Campaign articles on Audubon and FCC Newsletters Collaborative efforts to remove colonies from local natural area Next Steps Expand Coalition Develop additional outreach materials (joint brochure, traveling display) Continue Media Campaign Expanded coverage in local major media outlets Target Neighborhood Newspapers Joint events No Feeding Ordinance Backyard Habitat Certification Program Greater enforcement of Abandonment Statutes Removal of Colonies from designated wildlife areas

45 End

53 Oregon Cat Statistics 49,698 cats turned into Oregon Shelters during 2005 Highest numbers since % were euthanized 11,252 cats turned into Portland Shelters (OHS and MCAS) 32% were euthanized <2% of cats turned into Oregon Shelters are returned to their owners

Dedicated to the humane treatment of feral cats and to the prevention of future generations 93 neutered last clinic 2303 so far this year 33107 cats to date for every dollar we receive, 90 cents is

57 Dedicated to the humane treatment of feral cats and to the prevention of future generations 93 neutered last clinic 2303 so far this year cats to date for every dollar we receive, 90 cents is directed to fulfilling our mission! FCCO and Audubon Society of Portland Announce Campaign to Protect Cats and Wildlife The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon and the Audubon Society of Portland have teamed up on a new Public Service Announcement to encourage Oregonians not to allow their cats to roam free in the environment. Free-roaming cats kill tens of thousands of birds each year in the Portland Metro Area and are one of the primary causes of cat overpopulation. Both organizations encourage people to house cats indoors, in outside enclosures, or to walk cats on a leash. Its good for cats and its good for wildlife! It's not about birds versus cats; it's a bout protecting birds and cats. click for more information... click to view the PSA (1.7MB WMV File)... click to visit the Audubon Society of Portland... Donate or Volunteer Now! PP-Donat

61 State of the Birds-Continental United States # Birds Listed Under MBTA 836 # Species Listed as T & E 78 # Species on List of Conservation Concern 144 # Total Birds U.S.-Breeding ~10 Billion # Total Birds U.S.-Migratory ~20 Billion # Birds Killed/ Year Building Collisions Million # Birds Killed/ Year Communications Towers 5-50 Million # Birds Killed/ Year Transmission Lines 174 Million # Birds Killed/ Year Electrocutions 10s of Thousands # Birds Killed/ Year Cars 60 Million # Birds Killed/ Year Wind Turbines 33,000 # Birds Killed/ Year Poisoning 72 Million # Birds Killed/ Year Oil Spills Hundreds of Thousands # Birds Killed/ Year Wastewater Pits 2 Million # Birds Killed/ Year Cats Hundreds of Millions # Birds Killed/ Year Bycatch Tens of Thousands-Hundreds of Thousands

62 1998 Study in Great Britain by the Mammal Society \ 5 month long study surveying captures by 964 pet cats Key findings: Average # kills during 5 month study = 16.7 (annual average of 40 kills) Multiplied by the estimated # of domestic cats in G.B. (7.5 million) = 300 million kills per year Belled cats killed more (19) than non belled cats (15) Birds accounted for 24% of the prey Although it is unlikely that cats alone will cause any species to become endangered in Britain, for those which are already under pressure for other reasons, such as thrushes cats could become significant.

63 Coleman et al (1995): The Wisconsin Study Four year local study of cat predation in Wisconsin Key findings: Researchers estimated that free-ranging cats killed between 7.8 million and 217 million birds each year in Wisconsin Free-roaming cat densities estimated to be as high as 114 cats per square mile in some areas of the state.

65 William Finley 1907

The Hills Checklist of Birds That Have Been Seen as of

The Hills Checklist of Birds That Have Been Seen as of 3.6.18 1 2 3 4 COMMON NAME SEASON AND ABUNDANCE Date Date Date Date Geese and Ducks o o o o Greater White-fronted Goose Winter, rare o o o o Snow