February 2013.
Those who live close to Joe’s Creek and its green belt and park enjoy a special window on the wild – a rare natural haven for wildlife in the midst of a major city. Its trees provide shelter and food for birds during winter and fall migrations, and nesting areas for birds that stay through the summer. Raccoons and possums populate the area, and various turtles (mostly releases from home aquariums) bask in the summer waters, while minnows dart in the shallows. Ducks often nest along the creek, possibly returning to the very place where they hatched.
As grassland and open areas have disappeared, coyotes and bobcats have found the creek a perfect path into our neighborhood. Here, as in urban areas all around the U.S., they are finding food and cover, and conditions to their liking. At the same time, roaming house cats and feral cats are drawn to the creek. Wildlife and domestic pets thus meet and compete in our area, with distressing results: cats and small dogs killed or injured by coyotes; migratory and nesting birds and their fledglings hunted and destroyed by domestic and feral cats. Without taking sides, we believe that we can best protect our pets and make our area safer for wildlife by adhering to the following guidelines:
- Keep small pets (cats and dogs) indoors, or in enclosed outdoor areas. Domestic cats are vulnerable to injury and disease outdoors, since they are more likely to roam and encounter non-vaccinated cats or other animals. Veterinarians tell us that “The life span of cats outdoors averages only about 2 years, dramatically less than the 15+ years that we can expect with a healthy indoor cat. Don’t simply feed ferals, TNR (trap neuter return) programs such as the one successfully established by Kittico in Dallas can operate to control and ultimately diminish the population in as humane a manner as possible.”
- Don’t encourage wild animals by feeding them, either deliberately or accidentally. In fact, do discourage bold coyotes – any that you see in daylight or any that come close to or onto your property – by loud noise, by (carefully) throwing small objects, and otherwise making it clear that they are to keep clear. Don’t just take their pictures, wildlife consultants tell us, “We know what they look like!” Do tell your neighbors – a timely warning may save a pet. For more information on “coyote hazing” techniques see the U.S. Humane Society.
- If you feed your pet(s) outdoors, do not leave uneaten food out overnight.
Vince Punaro & Rebecca Bergstresser