some rare species. A cat owner can put a

some rare species.

A cat owner can put a bell on a cat's collar but even this does not prevent it from killing birds for very long. Birds do not necessarily associate the sound of a bell with danger and most cats can learn to silently stalk their prey. Even if the bell rings it may ring too late and bells offer no protection to helpless nestlings and fledglings.

Cats love to stalk birds at our feeders. Do not erect feeding stations near anything a cat can hide in or jump from. Birds that seem to escape a cat often do not get away unscathed. Wildlife rehabilitation centers report that most small animals injured by a cat will die. Even if treatment is administered immediately, only about 20 percent of the animals survive.

The most effective way to prevent cats from harming birds and other wildlife is keeping cats indoors at all times. Initially, many cat owners may be reluctant to adopt this approach because they believe that confining cats would be cruel. Yet, studies have shown, indoor cats lead longer, healthier lives than cats that roam freely.

Let’s introduce our cats to a fun activity that is safe and exciting, bird watching. Outdoor cats can easily make the transition to the indoor environment by following these four basic steps:

1. Establish a routine before moving your cat inside.

2. Confine your cat to one room (a bathroom or utility room) with a litter box containing a mixture of soil and litter. When you visit your cat, place it in the litter box.

3. After two or three days, allow your cat to have access to the rest of the house. Provide a second litter box in its permanent location and frequently place your cat in this box.

4. Once your cat regularly uses this second litter box, you can remove the first one.

5. Please have your cat spayed or neutered.

There is nothing more upsetting for a bird lover than to see a bird in apparent need of rescue. Rescuing wildlife is difficult, often unsuccessful and usually illegal and each situation often requires a different solution.

It is illegal to keep an injured bird in captivity. However you can transport it to a licensed wildlife professional for rehabilitation. Try your local humane society for a referral or help. If a bird appears to be sick do not handle it and report it to a trained professional in order to avoid contact with diseases.

In the event of a window collision, there is usually no need to panic. Most birds survive window collisions and just need some time to recover from the shock. The problem is that they may be vulnerable to predators while they are waiting to recover.

You can cover a stunned bird with a cardboard box (or something similar) in order to help protect it while it recovers. Punch several holes in the box with a pencil to allow air circulation. Lift the box every 5 to 10 minutes to see how the bird is doing and if it is recovered it will fly away. This however is only necessary if you have cats or other predators close by and the bird is in need of protection.