Feral Cat Hunt Debate Continues
If Conservation Congress Passes Resolution, Process To Become Law To Begin
Posted: 8:06 am CDT April 11, 2005Updated: 9:46 pm CDT April 11, 2005
MADISON, Wis. -- The controversial issue of hunters shooting feral cats went to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Monday.Representatives from 72 Wisconsin counties listened to residents concerning the proposal that would make feral cats an unprotected species, meaning the cats could be hunted and killed.The proposal is fueled by a University of Wisconsin study that found non-native feral cats were a threat to native animals like lovebirds.If most of the counties pass the proposal, it will begin the process to become law."The Congress then takes this advisory question and brings it forward to the Natural Resources Board, to say, 'The people of Wisconsin think this is an issue, and we want to continue work to try to make this law,'" said Jim Shurts of the Conservation Congress.
The proposal may still be changed if it passes. Changes could include narrowing the definition of feral cat. Wildlife officials estimate more than 76 million pet cats in the United States.The issue of hunting feral cats came up during last spring's Conservation Congress hearing in La Crosse county. A resident introduced a resolution and it passed 53 - 1.The Conservation Congress Web site says, "According to R.E. Adamec, author of Behavioral Biology, even well-fed cats eradicate birds and other wildlife because the hunting instinct is independent of the urge to eat. In one study, six cats were presented with a live small rat while eating their preferred food. All six cats stopped eating the food, ate the rat, and then resumed eating the food. Concern today is with feral cat predation of songbirds and small mammals."Cats eradicate song birds like the robin, cardinal and blue jay, and feral cats also endanger domesticated animals with disease, according to the Conservation Congress Web Site."Cats released into the outdoors by humans are exposed to feline leukemia virus, feline panleukopenai virus, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus and upper respiratory infections," the Web site reads. "Unvaccinated cats can transmit these diseases to other native wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats and the Florida panther. In addition, there is a potential public health concern that feral cats could potentially transmit diseases such as rabies, cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, roundworms and hookworms to people."
TALKBACK: What Do You Think?
Q/A on Feral Cats from DNR
The proposal may still be changed if it passes. Changes could include narrowing the definition of feral cat. Wildlife officials estimate more than 76 million pet cats in the United States.The issue of hunting feral cats came up during last spring's Conservation Congress hearing in La Crosse county. A resident introduced a resolution and it passed 53 - 1.The Conservation Congress Web site says, "According to R.E. Adamec, author of Behavioral Biology, even well-fed cats eradicate birds and other wildlife because the hunting instinct is independent of the urge to eat. In one study, six cats were presented with a live small rat while eating their preferred food. All six cats stopped eating the food, ate the rat, and then resumed eating the food. Concern today is with feral cat predation of songbirds and small mammals."Cats eradicate song birds like the robin, cardinal and blue jay, and feral cats also endanger domesticated animals with disease, according to the Conservation Congress Web Site."Cats released into the outdoors by humans are exposed to feline leukemia virus, feline panleukopenai virus, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus and upper respiratory infections," the Web site reads. "Unvaccinated cats can transmit these diseases to other native wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats and the Florida panther. In addition, there is a potential public health concern that feral cats could potentially transmit diseases such as rabies, cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, roundworms and hookworms to people."TALKBACK: What Do You Think?Q/A on Feral Cats from DNR
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