Vaccinations don't protect against all the diseases of concern in outdoor cats, but they are just as likely to succumb to dogs, coyotes, cars, and parasites as they are to die from disease.
The idea that "keeping cats indoors stifles their nature" is not true. Indoor environments can be complex enough to provide the stimulation cats need with elements like cat trees, catnip sources, and toys.
As for the birds, feral and outdoor cats are responsible for hundreds of millions of birds kills every year in the United States, according to the American Bird Conservancy. Where populations are already dealing with wild predators, the devastation on the birds is often lessened because the birds may have natural defenses to protect themselves. Nevertheless, cats are a major predator that is often harmful to any bird population.
Many people think that placing a bell around the cat's neck will cause birds to disperse. The sound of a bell, however, does not trigger an alarm response in birds and often birds do not respond.
Source: Dr. Kenneth Welle, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Artwork: Cat and Prey
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