The warning comes as concerns grow over the impact domestic cats are having on local wildlife, especially birds and small mammals.
Outdoor cats, which roam freely in gardens, parks, and open spaces, are known to hunt and kill birds for sport, even though they don’t need to hunt for food.
Threat to birds
This poses a significant threat to bird populations, with many species beginning to nest in the coming months. Some birds, like robins and blackbirds, have vulnerable chicks that are at risk from roaming cats.
Rebecca Bevan, a nature expert, recommends fitting a bell on cats’ collars and keeping them indoors at night to protect wildlife. She also advises avoiding bird feeders and nestboxes in areas with roaming cats.
Protect wildlife
Experts from the RSPB also highlight the risks, noting that while cats don’t threaten species with extinction, they kill over 50 million birds each year, along with other small animals. With UK bird populations already declining, conservationists stress the importance of taking action to protect vulnerable species.
With nature in decline, many experts argue that keeping cats indoors during nesting seasons could help safeguard Britain’s wildlife.
Will you be keeping your cat indoors this spring?
