Changes

This raises the issue of the impact of pet vs. feral populations. No current estimate of the UK feral cat population could be found, but the total population was estimated at 6 million in 1980, 1.2 million of which were feral <ref>Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray, S., Yalden, D. (1995) ''A Review of British Mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans'', Peterbourgh, U.K.: Joint Nature Conservation Committee.</ref><ref>Tabor, R. (1981) General biology of feral cats. In: The Ecology and Control of Feral Cats. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Potters Bar.</ref>. The current estimate of the UK pet cat population is 8 million, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. This situation can be contrasted with Australia and the USA:

This raises the issue of the impact of pet vs. feral populations. No current estimate of the UK feral cat population could be found, but the total population was estimated at 6 million in 1980, 1.2 million of which were feral <ref>Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray, S., Yalden, D. (1995) ''A Review of British Mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans'', Peterbourgh, U.K.: Joint Nature Conservation Committee.</ref><ref>Tabor, R. (1981) General biology of feral cats. In: The Ecology and Control of Feral Cats. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Potters Bar.</ref>. The current estimate of the UK pet cat population is 8 million, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. This situation can be contrasted with Australia and the USA:

• Australia: 3 million pet cats, 10-20 million feral cats <ref>Jongman, E. C., Karlen, G.A. (1996) Trap, neuter and release programs for cats: a literature review on an alternative control method of feral cats in urban areas. Pp. 81-84, In: S. Hassett (ed.), ''Urban Animal Management Conference''. Australian Veterinary Association, Ltd.</ref><ref>Dickman, C.,Denny, E. 2010. Strategies to reduce conflict: managing feral and stray cats. Pp. 41-45 In: M. Tensen and B. Jones (eds.), ''Proceedings of the RSPCA Scientific Seminar'', Deakin West ACT, RSPCA Australia.</ref>

* Australia: 3 million pet cats, 10-20 million feral cats <ref>Jongman, E. C., Karlen, G.A. (1996) Trap, neuter and release programs for cats: a literature review on an alternative control method of feral cats in urban areas. Pp. 81-84, In: S. Hassett (ed.), ''Urban Animal Management Conference''. Australian Veterinary Association, Ltd.</ref><ref>Dickman, C.,Denny, E. 2010. Strategies to reduce conflict: managing feral and stray cats. Pp. 41-45 In: M. Tensen and B. Jones (eds.), ''Proceedings of the RSPCA Scientific Seminar'', Deakin West ACT, RSPCA Australia.</ref>

• USA: 86.4 million pet cats, 60-100 million feral cats <ref>American Pet Products Association (2011) 2011-2012 ''APPA National Pet Owners Survey'', Greenwich, CT: American Pet Products Association.</ref><ref>Dauphine, N., Cooper, R.J. (2009) Impacts of free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) on birds in the United States: a review of recent research with conservation and management recommendations. Pp. 205-219, In: T. D. Rich, C. Arizmendi, D. W. Desmarest and C. Thompson (eds.). ''Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference: Tundra to Tropics''.</ref>

* USA: 86.4 million pet cats, 60-100 million feral cats <ref>American Pet Products Association (2011) 2011-2012 ''APPA National Pet Owners Survey'', Greenwich, CT: American Pet Products Association.</ref><ref>Dauphine, N., Cooper, R.J. (2009) Impacts of free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) on birds in the United States: a review of recent research with conservation and management recommendations. Pp. 205-219, In: T. D. Rich, C. Arizmendi, D. W. Desmarest and C. Thompson (eds.). ''Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference: Tundra to Tropics''.</ref>

So, whilst in the UK, the feral cat population is perhaps 15% the size of the pet cat population, in the USA these populations are similarly sized and in Australia feral cats outnumber pet cats by a factor of 10-20 to one.

So, whilst in the UK, the feral cat population is perhaps 15% the size of the pet cat population, in the USA these populations are similarly sized and in Australia feral cats outnumber pet cats by a factor of 10-20 to one.

However, the most significant factors in the maintenance of a large feral population are climate and the availability of prey. The temperate climate of Northern Europe limits kitten survival, compared to the warmer climate of Australia. Australia also has a diverse population of prey species that have evolved in the absence of an equivalent predator to ''Felis silvestris''.

However, the most significant factors in the maintenance of a large feral population are climate and the availability of prey. The temperate climate of Northern Europe limits kitten survival, compared to the warmer climate of Australia. Australia also has a diverse population of prey species that have evolved in the absence of an equivalent predator to ''Felis silvestris''.

In a study of domestic cat predation in the UK, the estimated mean predation rate was estimated at 18.3 per cat per year, with 65% of households reporting no prey brought back in a given year (falling to 22% when averaged over several seasons <ref name="Thomas">Thomas, R.L., Fellowes, M.D.E, Baker, P.J. (2012) Spatio-Temporal Variation in Predation by Urban Domestic Cats (''Felis catus'') and the Acceptability of Possible Management Actions in the UK. ''PLOS One''. 7(11), 1-13.</ref>. The same study found that only 20% of cats returned 4 or more dead prey annually. A retrospective study by the author found an average prey return rate of 3.3 birds and 12 rodents per cat per year for households where cats had outdoor access. 44.6% never returned a bird, and 39.6% never returned a rodent.  

In a study of domestic cat predation in the UK, the estimated mean predation rate was estimated at 18.3 per cat per year, with 65% of households reporting no prey brought back in a given year (falling to 22% when averaged over several seasons <ref name="Thomas">Thomas, R.L., Fellowes, M.D.E, Baker, P.J. (2012) Spatio-Temporal Variation in Predation by Urban Domestic Cats (''Felis catus'') and the Acceptability of Possible Management Actions in the UK. ''PLOS One''. 7(11), 1-13.</ref>. The same study found that only 20% of cats returned 4 or more dead prey annually. A retrospective study by <font color="red">Bowen</font color> found an average prey return rate of 3.3 birds and 12 rodents per cat per year for households where cats had outdoor access. 44.6% never returned a bird, and 39.6% never returned a rodent.  

The amount of birds observed in a garden correlated significantly with the amount of environmental enrichment provided in a garden (bird feeders, scattered food and nesting boxes), as well as the amount of natural features present (long grass, trees, wild flowers, bushes). Of particular note was a correlation between bird numbers and indicators of active gardening, such as the presence of a greenhouse, vegetable patch and compost heap. However, he number of birds caught did not correlate with scores for the amount of birds observed in the owner’s garden. This is supported by findings from Thomas ''et al''<ref name ="Thomas" /> that reported numbers of five bird species was not correlated with level of their predation. The predation of robins was just significantly correlated with observed numbers (p=0.046). This may relate to some aspect of the vulnerability of this species when feeding and nesting, but the result would also become insignificant when measures are applied to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons.

The amount of birds observed in a garden correlated significantly with the amount of environmental enrichment provided in a garden (bird feeders, scattered food and nesting boxes), as well as the amount of natural features present (long grass, trees, wild flowers, bushes). Of particular note was a correlation between bird numbers and indicators of active gardening, such as the presence of a greenhouse, vegetable patch and compost heap. However, he number of birds caught did not correlate with scores for the amount of birds observed in the owner’s garden. This is supported by findings from Thomas ''et al''<ref name ="Thomas" /> that reported numbers of five bird species was not correlated with level of their predation. The predation of robins was just significantly correlated with observed numbers (p=0.046). This may relate to some aspect of the vulnerability of this species when feeding and nesting, but the result would also become insignificant when measures are applied to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons.

The study by Thomas<ref name ="Thomas" /> also showed a significantly negative correlation between mean annual predation rate, cat population and housing density; the number of prey returned was lower in high residential and cat population density.

The study by Thomas<ref name ="Thomas" /> also showed a significantly negative correlation between mean annual predation rate, cat population and housing density; the number of prey returned was lower in high residential and cat population density.

In ''the author’s study'', 62% of cat owners indicated an interest in encouraging more cats in the garden, with 48.1% of those giving a positive response also indicating that owning a cat prevented them from doing so. Those who reported that having a cat restricted their ability to attract birds to the garden provided similar numbers of bird tables and hanging feeders, but significantly fewer bird boxes and scatter feeding opportunities for ground feeding birds.

In a study by <font color="red">Bowen</font color>, 62% of cat owners indicated an interest in encouraging more cats in the garden, with 48.1% of those giving a positive response also indicating that owning a cat prevented them from doing so. Those who reported that having a cat restricted their ability to attract birds to the garden provided similar numbers of bird tables and hanging feeders, but significantly fewer bird boxes and scatter feeding opportunities for ground feeding birds.

It appears that improving a garden to attract and support bird numbers does not increase the general risk of predation, and cat owners should be encouraged to do so.

It appears that improving a garden to attract and support bird numbers does not increase the general risk of predation, and cat owners should be encouraged to do so.