It is estimated that the cat began to be domesticated in ancient Egypt, around the year 7500 BCE Throughout history, cats have been relevant in pest control, as animals linked to sacred values and as pets . They are highly appreciated animals for being excellent pets, the second favorite after the dog, and we have found domestic cats in all human populations, for centuries. They are very independent animals that are easy to maintain, very clean and extraordinarily intelligent . Well educated, they can be affectionate animals, and offer companionship with fewer demands and requirements than a dog.
However, out of doors, cats can be a problem . Unlike the wild cat, from which it is descended, and the majority of known wild cats, the domestic cat does not only hunt for food . A playful animal by nature, hunting is one more way of playing for the cat. Thus, outside the home, either because they go for a walk outside the home, or because they are feral cats —domestic cats that have adapted to wildlife, or descendants of these—, it is common for them to hunt for pleasure and not they consume their prey.
Wild ecosystems: first focus of the problem
Of all the ecosystems, the insular ones are the ones that suffer the most from the attack of feral cats. On the one hand, being separated by insurmountable barriers for fauna and flora, they evolve independently, and endemism often arises. On the other hand, they are ecosystems more susceptible to disturbances. In the particular case of the Canary Islands , feral cats today pose a serious threat to the biodiversity of the archipelago , putting several endemic and protected species at serious risk, such as the Canary stonechat ( Saxicola dacotiae ) and various lizards of the genus Gallotia .
But not only the islands are susceptible. The continent also suffers from feral cat problems. Among the estimates that are handled, a study carried out in a wildlife rehabilitation center in California , United States stands out. Of the animals they receive, 12% of mammals, 15% of reptiles, and up to 30% of susceptible birds —with the exception of raptors and pelagics— are admitted because of injuries caused by cats . These data come from animals that arrive alive at the facilities. But the cat is one of the predators with the highest rate of success in hunting, so it is not unreasonable to assume that these proportions will be even higher in deadly prey.
Damage spreads to the city
The cat has traditionally been used to control other mammals considered undesirable or disease carriers, such as rats. You might think that a city with cats would be a safer and more comfortable city . However, cats have a preference for defenseless prey , and actually hardly influence the presence of rats. What they do influence is their behavior, rats are extraordinarily intelligent animals, they learn to predict the behavior of cats and change their habits. The result: the cats help keep the rats from being seen, but they are still there and their undesirable effects do not go away .
On the other hand, cats cause undeniable impacts on urban fauna . Urban ecosystems, by their very nature, are not very biodiverse, but in addition, they frequently function as simplified islands ; small patches of life, in the form of parks, surrounded by a sea of asphalt that cannot be colonized. As in wild ecosystems, cats in the city are predators of a large number of species, especially birds . And furthermore, in the urban environment these small invaders are even more successful, since they receive constant help from another species: the human being.
The cat, always at home
It is common for some cat owners to let their animals go outside freely, with the well-founded hope that they will return in minutes, hours or days. However, this behavior is part of the problem. The cat must be kept within the confines of the house, and there is no real compelling reason to let it roam outside the house .
Of course, that is a good first step, but given the situation in some regions, it is not enough to solve the ecological problem that feral cats pose . In those cases, it’s time to take action.
It is generally assumed that the correct thing to do is to apply a system known as “ TNR ”, an acronym for “ trap, sterilize, release ” — trap, neuter, release —. Sometimes the adoption of those cats that can be reintroduced into a home without causing a problem is included, something that cannot always be carried out. It is also proposed that, during sterilization, the animal be marked and vaccinated , and that after release, monitoring and follow-up tasks are carried out on the specimens, which end up forming what are already known as “feline colonies”.
However, trapping and sterilizing the entire population is not feasible , which allows individuals to remain capable of reproduction. Furthermore, a sterile animal continues to cause serious impacts throughout its life . It is an ineffective measure, even more difficult in the natural environment.
Professionals agree that the most viable and effective measure is euthanasia. But this is not to everyone’s liking, there are groups that are radically opposed to this option, without taking into account that any alternative implies the suffering and death of a much higher number of other animals and the possible destruction of the ecosystem.
However, as long as it is kept indoors, the cat remains an excellent pet ; Their independence makes them a very good option for those who want to have an animal but do not have the time or cannot meet the demands that a dog needs. It is an excellent option as a first pet , with which you can learn to have responsibilities . They can be very affectionate, and provide very appreciative company. And there is no sensation quite like feeling the purr under your hand while stroking a cat’s soft fur .
