“I’ve certainly been in my share of screaming matches,” says Dr. David Aborn, professor and ornithologist at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. If you are unaware of the controversy, let me explain:
Certain studies have linked domesticated cats, both feral and indoor-outdoor, to the deaths of billions of birds each year. Cat advocates, such as Alley Cat Allies, a nonprofit group based in Bethesda, Maryland, argue those studies are founded on “shaky statistics.”
The two sides disagree on more than just numbers. There is also debate over the effectiveness of certain kitty-control methods. Namely Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, programs. Whether you are on Team Cat or Team Bird, it is important to remember that both sides come from a sincere place of wanting to steward vulnerable species.
“We are an animal advocacy group. We’ve focused on cats because we saw a niche that needed filled,” says Alley Cat Allies President and founder Becky Robinson. Aborn agrees. “Not all bird enthusiasts are anti-cat,” he says.
And so, this story is not intended to sway your opinion. It is merely a brief overview of the debate.