In reference to your story Grey squirrels expanding territory (PQB NEWS, March 2). I appreciate the concern over invasive species and their impact on local flora and fauna. The list gets longer (which includes the American bullfrog) and the challenges many. However, there is one invader that is rarely mentioned – I expect because it is far too political. Free-running domestic cats.
Nature Trust of Canada and other North American conservation organizations state that cats are decimating local wildlife populations.
Cats kill millions of birds, reptiles and other small creatures (including squirrels) with impunity throughout North America. Based on the number of households in Qualicum Beach and Parksville, statistics indicate there are thousands of free-running cats here, in contravention to local bylaws and the Wildlife Act. Yes, it is illegal to let your cat loose off your property in Qualicum Beach.
With Spring and early summer soon to be upon us and young birds just out of the nest, unable to fly, the slaughter begins. And when adult birds are killed by a cat, the young are left in their nest to starve. Everyone who owns a cat is well aware of the damage their cat is doing. And in a neighbourhood where four, five or six cats are running free, the number of birds and other creatures killed, including robins, quail and other ground feeding and nesting birds, is immoral.
I challenge our local municipal government to provide some education and enforcement to cat owners, many of whom seem to be in denial.
Gordon Browne
Qualicum Beach