Cats Coyotes and You

A coyote den was discovered recently while installing a new sewer-line.
The den contained 50 cat collars!
How many cats entered the den without collars? Was your kitty among them?

Who is to blame for the death of these family pets? Surely not the coyote.

Coyotes are predators. Their prey - rabbits, rats, mice, moles and
sometimes cats. Without coyotes we would be over-run with what we consider
pest animals.

Cats on the other hand are also predators. Their prey - mice, rats, moles,
squirrels, and thousands of songbirds. The difference? Most of their
prey is nocturnal, except birds and squirrels whose numbers are decimated
each year by cats.

Coyotes hunt to feed themselves and their offspring. They hunt at night.

Cats hunt for fun. Most cats are well fed by their human owners. They hunt
during daylight and some sleep in warm beds at night. But for the cats that
are locked out or allowed to roam, danger awaits them around every bend:

Each year cars take their toll on cats. How sad when a child finds their
dead pet on the side of a road.
Cats are territorial and will fight defending it. These fights cause
infections and other medical concerns. Veterinarian bills mount up. Some
owners choose not to seek medical assistance. The cats are left to suffer.
Some heal, some don't.

Cats who defecate in neighbourhood gardens are frequently abused by
homeowners protecting their property. Cats are often trapped and taken
out of their territory and dumped. These cats become strays. Lost and
unable to survive, they die... slowly.

Cats unaccustomed to surviving on their own become prey to coyotes. Cats,
who share a household with dogs and are allowed to run free, become prey to
wild dogs, coyotes.

Pitiful signs on mailboxes and telephone poles with promises of rewards
will not bring back most cats. Prevention and proper pet care by
responsible owners, is the answer.

Feed them. Love them. Keep them safe inside and you'll have years of love
returned to you by your cats.

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