VICTORIAN NATUALIST • August 17, 2022
Domesticated house cats are one of the most pervasive [non-human] invasive species on the planet. Their undeniable cuteness, companionship, independance, and overall charm makes them one of the most endearing pet choices for billions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, that pervasiveness has a cost that is paid by native wildlife, at the hands of owners who, often unknowingly, allow their cats to do considerable ecological damage. A study published in the leading ecological journal, Nature, estimates free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.3–4.0 billion birds and 6.3–22.3 billion mammals annually. Many species have gone extinct at the claws and teeth of house cats.