Dear community members, 

I feel that wildlife is disappearing for one particular reason: cats and dogs. They like to damage things, trample over roots, and even eat birds! WIthout looking after your pets you can destroy habits in many ways, but people never consider doing anything about it. What good would they be if they cannot be managed well? Did you know that some native bird’s number one predator is a cat? If you let them wander around, guess what they can do…

Loss of native wildlife by pets

Pets are excellent hunters, and their characteristics apply to that. Cats have razor claws, dogs have sharp teeth, and cats have a great sense of smell. Guess what they can do with that? Did you know that cats have contributed to the extinction of over 60 birds? Dogs are Kiwis' number one predator. It’s not just birds either; the pekapeka (a native NZ bat) has reduced in numbers because of the wild cats. Fortunately, they were preserved and still live on. Feral cats have caused the extinction of the Layall’s wren known as NZ’s only flightless songbird. Dog’s hobbies are trampling over the nesting grounds of dotterels too. Therefore, all facts point to one sign, pets are pests and are great hunters who crave birds.

Cost of pets

Have you ever thought about how expensive a pet's annual bill is? A dog’s bill would go over $1700 even! Sometimes pets aren’t necessary when you can spend money on something you enjoy more. For instance, your cat needs a $50 bag of food every month, that could be worth food for you instead. While pets are entertaining, they do require pet insurance, toys to play with, and food. Sometimes your pet can get hit by a car and need surgery that costs over $100. It wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t have a pet in the first place. Pets are fun but at the same time, they are expensive. 

Ways to get your pet to not get into conflict with native wildlife

Although pets are pests there are still ways to prevent them from getting into this habit. Dogs like exercise and cats enjoy cuddles. This can be put to good use. You could keep your pet entertained by spending time with them so their mind would be taken off eating birds, by keeping a breathable nuzzle so the pet can still sniff but not do anything violent or you could keep your dog on a leash so you control where they go. Maybe this will be hard but if you can manage this challenge, your pet may not be a considered pest. Dogs and cats have instincts that can turn into hazards but can be controlled so they don’t become threats.

Conclusion 

When you want a pet, consider the different things before making up your mind. Be careful with a cat and dog if you ever get one. If they eat a bird, go to the vet before they get sick! If you have a pet, keep it in eyesight so they don’t go around killing native wildlife. The next time you go to a pet store think about the impact it will have on your life. Dogs and cats are great but they should not be kept as pets. 

Sincerely,

Mikayla Lee