Incidence of free-roaming cats interaction on wildlife admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 2000 to 2010

Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are believed to be the single greatest anthropogenic source of morbidity and mortality to wild birds and mammals in the United States. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators routinely treat... [ view full abstract ]

Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are believed to be the single greatest anthropogenic source of morbidity and mortality to wild birds and mammals in the United States. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators routinely treat cat-caused injuries however; the extent of these activities is under-reported in the scientific literature. To determine incidence, age class, morbidity and mortality, diversity and frequency of species affected, nature of injuries, time in care, and temporal and geospatial trends associated with the interaction between free-roaming cats and wildlife, a retrospective analysis was performed on 20,921 records from small birds and mammals presenting to the Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) between 2000 and 2010. Cat interaction was the second highest cause of small mammal admissions (14.8%), fourth highest cause of mammal mortality (70.8%), fourth highest cause of bird admissions (13.7%) and second highest of avian mortality (80.8%). Eighty-three species were admitted following interactions with cats. Age of wildlife admitted following cat interaction varied by class; juvenile mammals were captured most frequently (40.5%) followed by infants (34%) then adults (25.5%). However, adults were documented most frequently in birds (42.7%) followed by juveniles (37.2%) then nestlings (20.1%). Birds were more likely to have interactions with cats in rural areas, whereas degree of urbanization did not differ for mammals. Eighty-eight percent of cat interactions occurred between April and September indicating a strong seasonal trend. This study documents the morbidity and mortality of individual patients admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation facility following cat interaction. Our findings may be used by wildlife professionals to formulate on-going risk assessments and strategies needed to protect native wildlife from free-roaming cats.