When people think of Hawai'i, they usually think of picturesque beaches and forested mountains. However, Hawai'i's beautiful environment and the native animals that call it home are at risk due to many human factors- including the introduction of invasive species such as cats. Cats are not native to the island (or anywhere in the Americas, for that matter). The presence of feral cats poses a significant threat to local environments and endangered species.
This article contains links to sources! Click the underlined words to read more about a topic. Threat to Native Birds Cats are very skilled predators. They have contributed to the decline and extinction of many bird species around the world. In fact, experts estimate that feral/outdoor cats kill 1-4 billion birds and 6 to 20 billion mammals every year in the US alone.
Hawai'i's birds are especially vulnerable. Many of them are species that exist ONLY in Hawai'i. Having existed on the island for many millennia without predators, these birds have no defense against invasive predators like cats. 21 Hawaiian bird species have already gone extinct and many others have become endangered- and cats are one of the reasons.
With a decline in bird populations, we see a rise in many bug and reptile species, further disrupting the ecosystem. The introduction of cats to the Hawaiian islands has contributed to an ecological disaster. Toxoplasmosis
In addition to being skilled hunters, the presence of cats poses other risks to wildlife. Cat feces (poop!) contains foreign bacteria and parasites against which native wildlife have no natural defense- including a parasite called Toxoplasmosis. When cats poop, they excrete the parasite into the soil/sand. Rain washes the poop into nearby streams and beaches, where it may be ingested by animals or, rarely, people. Toxoplasmosis has been linked to the deaths of endangered species such as the Hawaiian Monk Seal and the Nene bird.
Cat Welfare in Hawai'i Cats may be part of the problem, but they are also victims of this tragic situation. It is not the cats' fault that they are here- they were brought here by people, and they are just doing their best to survive! Unfortunately, they are suffering. Feral/outdoor cats worldlife suffer from many threats: starvation, fungal/bacteral infections, parasites, fleas, disease, cars, and sadly, human abuse and cruelty. Abuse and cruelty against feral cats is widespread here in Hawai'i. Cats are often used as bait in dog or cock fighting rings. Many people even hunt cats for sport, claiming they are trying to reduce the population to protect the environment. This is NOT the answer- killing feral cats is cruel and only leaves a vacuum that will be filled by more cats.
Solutions
There are many HUMANE solutions to this problem. These are the important steps we can take to manage outdoor cat populations, and prevent further destruction and suffering of innocent animals:
Keep pet cats INDOORS. Many people believe that cats are happier and healthier when they can go outside freely. This is not true. The reality is that indoor cats live longer and healthier lives. Cats have been domesticated for hundreds and even thousands of years- they are perfectly happy being kept inside, as long as they are active and enriched with toys and companionship. Even if it were true that cats are happier outdoors, that should not outweigh the threat cats pose to wildlife. All animals have a right to live a full, happy, and healthy life- not just pets, and we owe it to our local wildlife to keep out cats indoors.
Get your cats FIXED. Feral cats reproduce very quickly. Within only a few years, two adult cats can turn into hundreds. The problem of overpopulation is bad enough without accidental litters happening within homes too.
Getting feral kittens off the streets and into homes. Unfortunately, many adult feral cats can never learn to be friendly with humans and are ineligible for adoption. However, kittens born in the wild can be socialized and adopted into an indoor-only home! The window of socialization is from birth to around 5 months old. If a kitten is trapped during this window of socialization, it can learn to love people and be a wonderful lap cat! If you see kittens outdoors, do your best to safely contain them and reach out to local rescue groups.
TNR stands for "Trap, Neuter, Release". As I mentioned above, many feral adult cats cannot be socialized and adopted. However, there are still good options for managing their populations. Using humane traps, these cats can be captured, brought to a vet for sterilization and vaccinations, and then released back to where they were found. They will live out their lives being unable to reproduce or spread disease. Eventually, these feral colonies will die off of old age and natural causes, and balance will be restored. Although it is not a perfect solution, it is the most humane option for the cats. Studies have shown that if as many as 30% of cats in a feral colony are TNRed, the population will begin to decline.
How We Help
Katie's Kittenz does all of the above! We prioritize removing kittens from the environment, socializing them, sterilizing/vaccinating them, and then getting them adopted into indoor-only homes. If you want to volunteer or donate, contact us! TLDR: - Spay/Neuter: If you have a pet cat, ensure they are spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters and potential feral cat populations. - Keep Cats Indoors: Keeping your pet cat indoors not only protects them from potential dangers but also prevents them from hunting native wildlife. - Support Local Organizations: Consider supporting organizations like Katie's Kittenz that are actively working to rescue and rehome feral cats. Donations, volunteering, and spreading the word about their work can make a significant impact.
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