‘The Scourge’

Editor:

So, it turns out that the scourge of cats killing wildlife might now be as bad for cats as it is for wildlife. According to Tanya Schrum’s article in last week’s NCJ, “cats appear to be the first extra-host to suffer the most significant mortality” from avian influenza (grammatically nonsensical, but it sounds scary). Will it be enough to get cat owners to — finally — keep their cats confined? The threats of cars, dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, toxoplasmosis and catfights; cats’ impacts on wildlife, especially birds; and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act haven’t done it, so I’m not overly optimistic.

One could not be blamed for thinking that people didn’t give a mouse’s ass about birds or their «beloved» cats. But it is heartening to know that this might just put a small dent in the number of cats wreaking havoc out there, one way or another.

If you happen to be one of those cat owners for whom this news tips the scale, I invite you to explore the concept of catios, which allow cats to experience the outdoors with no risk to them or wildlife. It’s time.

Ken Burton, McKinleyville