PART IV: Cats as killers –the debate rages on

curious Daisy

I've been reading all of these studies, and listening to the cat haters (people who feed birds, while cats kill birds at their feeders). I've had to leave two purported 'bird lover' groups. They began cat-bashing and cat-hating rants. They cite the faulty studies (they lack reliability and validity- there are too many variables). I don't deny my cats kill, but mostly rodents, and mostly in spring. Daisy can climb a tree and act like a bird, but they spot her right away!

Red, my wise blog buddy, said it:

This is one of those situations where there is no middle ground. It's either one or the other ,when in reality it's somewhere in the middle. 

Cats are killers but their owners deny it, Exeter University survey reveals

The latest is a UK study in which they conduct an opinion poll, to determine if cat owners believe their cats kill critters. As I say, too many variables between age of cats, gender, overweight cats, and proclivity towards hunting.

Yesterday, Annie and Dorah found a young deermouse and cornered it in the kitchen. We have a few about the house. Somehow, they climb down the bricks from the attic and get into trouble. We're due for a bat, too. They get hot at night, and come down the chimney in the dawn, to sleep. That was an adventure!

Bats in my belfry? Nope. Bedroom - just 1 bat
Bat in my bedroom part 2 - the rescue –I took some Twitter advice on this one!

Back to the mouse

The field  mice jump up and bite at their noses. Dorah had a bite mark once! They grab the mice, bring them into the kitchen, and watch them run around the outside lip of the cat food tray. These silly bums, I had to capture it with the butterfly net. It works well, with a medium-sized handle, I can grab the mice.

Dorah inspects, looks at Annie, then she walked away, giving up.

OK. Dumb idea. I thought I'd put mousie out on the Hops bine, and she could wend her way down the vines. (It's a BINE, as it grows, dies, and regrows next year!)
The hops wasn't even up to the railing May 31st. July, it's grown considerably.

Minion, Issy, playing in the sandbox.

She was quite scared and would not budge. This was not a good place for her. I picked her up and carried her down onto the lawn. She began crawling up my arm. Cutest little toes!



Daisy came out to help. She went up the tree, inspected Guinevere, the dragon. She loves trees!


I had NO help installing a new gate handle. The old one was quite rusty. Yay, Lee Valley Tools! Daisy was too tired to even inspect my work.


Dorah, having done her job, spent the rest of the day on the couch. 

Annie was a great help, weeding and watering the garden. Moral support, but support, indeed.

The Trailcam has been noticeably unproductive with critters. All I managed to score was a fat, middle-aged woman on a lawn tractor, which needs some repairs. Sigh. We're all getting old and rusty!

Our backyard

PART I: Cats as Predators
PART II: Cats as Killers: Myths or true data?

PART III:  Cats as killers... debate continues!