A newly released study by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has attracted media attention for its estimate of cat-caused wildlife mortality. In particular, birds and mammals are among the two hardest hit groups. The median estimate of deaths for birds and mammals combined each year in the United States as a result of outdoor cat predation is 14.7 billion individuals. This new estimate settles any argument as to whether or not outdoor cats impact native wildlife and demands from the public a serious look at how we can protect biodiversity from this introduced predator.

Please consider writing in support of responsibly managing outdoor cats, and urge cat owners to keep their cats indoors.

Key Points:

- Outdoor cats kill 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion mammals annually in the United States

- Outdoor cats have been implicated in the extinction of 33 species

- Outdoor cats are the #1 source of direct, human-caused bird mortality in the United States

- Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs have been shown to be ineffective in reducing outdoor cat populations and do nothing to reduce predation pressure on local wildlife

- Feral and free-ranging cats pose a health risk to humans and wildlife for their ability to transmit rabies, toxoplasmosis, and other diseases

- Outdoor cats live traumatic and dangerous lives that average 3-5 times less than those of indoor cats; risks include being struck by cars, eaten by predators, and disease.

Solutions:

The only sure way to protect wildlife, cats, and people is for domestic cats to be permanently removed from the environment. TNR is a failed strategy being implemented across the United States without any consideration for environmental, human health, or animal welfare impacts and can no longer be tolerated. Local governments need to act swiftly and decisively to gather the 30-80 million un-owned cats, aggressively seek adoptions, and euthanize those cats that are not adoptable. Furthermore, pet cats should be spayed/neutered and kept indoors. For their own safety, owned cats need to be licensed and microchipped. Only through proper identification can lost cats be consistently returned to their homes, and no owners need worry about accidental adoption or euthanasia of their beloved companion. It is also time to treat cat owners like we treat dog owners by enforcing anti-abandonment laws and requiring leashes or enclosures for cats outdoors. Lastly, society needs to recognize that excellent pets in need of good homes may be found at local animal shelters and rescue organizations.

American Bird Conservancy Press Release:

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he has once again become an original cosponsor of a bipartisan balanced budget amendment.  The bipartisan legislation, H.J.Res. 24 authored by Rep. Jason Amash (R-MI-03), is similar to the measure Loebsack was among the first Democrats in the House to cosponsor last Congress.

"In a time when our economy continues to struggle and we face an unsustainable debt, it is more important than ever that we work toward reducing the deficit over the long run, while simultaneously working to rebuild our economy," said Loebsack.  "I've long said that I'm willing to consider any serious, good faith proposal to reduce the deficit and get our economy back on track. That is why I have supported this bipartisan proposal in the past and am happy to back it once again because it puts less pressure on initiatives like unemployment and food stamps during an economic downturn when lower income and middle class folks need it the most."

H.J.Res. 24 would balance the budget over the business cycle instead of every year in order to allow both spending and revenue policies to be more stable and predictable. It would balance yearly spending to the average annual revenues of the three years prior and allows additional spending for emergencies with two-thirds support from both Chambers of Congress. H.J.Res. 24 would balance the budget within ten years by phasing down the allowable deficit each year in a stable, predicable way that allows current needs to be met during the economic downturn.

CHICAGO - February 7, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement on the passage of House Bill 190. The governor called for passage of this legislation in yesterday's State of the State address, and has pushed to restore funding to Department of Children and Family Services for months. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk.

"I applaud Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and all the members of the General Assembly who today voted to put people to work, and protect the most vulnerable among us. They did the right thing.

"This legislation will allow us to begin construction projects this spring which will put Illinois workers back on the job. As part of our Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, these women and men will be busy repairing bridges, improving roads and strengthening our infrastructure across the state.

"In addition, this bill will enable the Department of Children and Family Services to continue its critical mission of protecting vulnerable children who have been abused and neglected.

"I look forward to signing this legislation."