FERAL CATS THREATEN OUR WETLANDS’ WILDLIFE
Until 2004, there was a severe problem with feral and free-roaming cats in the Petaluma Wetlands and in city parks, primarily as the result of feeding stations. At least one station was within forty feet of the wetlands. A concerned group of citizens worked with Petaluma Animal Services to craft an ordinance to forbid feeding of feral cats in or close to the wetlands and in city parks. Additionally, it required registration of feeding stations in non-sensitive areas. The ordinance was passed by the City Council. The section below is the one that the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance feels is particularly important.
Petaluma City Ordinance 9.14110C: There shall be no feeding of feral cats in or within one-half mile of the Petaluma Wetlands, located along the Petaluma River. The area covered by this section is bordered by the Petaluma River on the south, and Lakeville Highway to the north and east, from the Petaluma Marina to, and including the Petaluma Holding Ponds.
After 9.14110 passed in 2004, feeding stations were removed from in and around the wetlands and city parks. The stations in Lucchesi Park, of such concern to then Parks Director Jim Carr, were phased out and the cats removed. Once feeding stopped, other cats did not appear as the food source had disappeared.
We must return to the subject now, as there is an on-line petition to strike 9.14.110. The petition pointedly does not mention the protection of our native species afforded by section “C”.
SPECIES THAT NEED PROTECTING
Petaluma has funded studies of species by biologists in the wetlands covered under 9.14110C. The following species of special concern have been identified: Common (salt marsh) Yellowthroat, Black Rail, Red-legged Frog, Clapper Rail, Loggerhead Shrike, California Horned Lark, Burrowing Owls (8-ounce ground-dwelling birds) and Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. Additionally, there are over 30 more bird species in the wetlands in peril from cats - sparrows, warblers, larks, swallows, wrens, and thrushes.
ALARMING FACTS ABOUT FERAL AND FREE-ROAMING CATS
Worldwide, cats have been involved in the extinction of more bird species than any other cause, except habitat destruction. - University of Wisconsin.
Audubon: “Scientists estimate that free-roaming cats (owned, stray, or feral) kill hundreds of millions of birds and possibly more than a billion small mammals in the U.S. each year.”
Housecats are not natives in the environment. They have been introduced in vast numbers and at high densities. Our local wildlife has evolved specific adoptions to deal with other predators...but not house cats. --Cat Indoors
TTVAR-M (Trap, Test, Vaccinate, Alter, Release and Maintain) is not effective according to the Audubon Society. TTVAR-M merely releases a predator to continue killing birds and small mammals for the rest of its days. Feeding (“maintaining”) feral cats does not cancel their hunting instincts. They are predators designed to kill birds and small mammals – more natural food for them than canned cat food. Cat owners who have large backyards and/or allow their cats to free-roam can attest that well-fed cats still bring birds and small mammals home. Experts say that cats at artificially high densities, sustained by supplemental feeding, reduce the abundance of native birds.
We understand that feral cats are not to blame for their predicament. Cats are more often abandoned than dogs and live miserable, abbreviated lives in the wild. Most responsible cat owners keep their pets safe inside where their life spans triple those of abandoned pets. Rather than leave cat(s) to fend for themselves, anyone planning to move and contemplating leaving their cat(s) should contact Petaluma Animal Services (778-4396). Socialized cats are quite adoptable.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you agree our native wetland species should continue to be protected from this non-native predator, voice your support for Petaluma City ordinance 9.14110 before the City Council. We will post an Alert of the date and time of any council meeting on this topic.