Cats are commonly known as those house pets that a sweet and cuddly, despite their prideful demeanor. These kitties frequently are known to appreciate their space while often looking as cute as a button. However, these precious little creatures have a much darker side than many realize, in fact they can at times become vicious killers. Pet surveys frequently show that these household animals are far from domestic.

According to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the Fish and Wildlife Service, domestic cats, as well as strays, spend the majority of their time roaming the outdoors during the day. These cats don't often stay indoors and when they are let loose they are known to causing much more damage than one would think. These institutes claim that on a yearly average these domestic felines are believed to kill and average of 2.4 billion birds as well as 12.3 mammals throughout the United States. While these mammals may be small, many are being killed because of these prowling animals. Most frequently it is mammals such as rats, shrews and chipmunks.

The researchers are finding a strong connection with these very domestic animal hunting's and a threat to wildlife, claiming that the rate at which these birds and mammals are being killed by cats is even greater than automobiles, windmills, pesticides, poisons, and the like. These deaths are claimed to be alarmingly high according to Dr. Peter Marra, one of the authors on the report created by the Smithsonian Conservation. Dr. Marra claims that at the time they conducted their study they had no idea they would see these types of results, and they were completely shocked at how high the numbers were.

In their article, published recently by the Natures Communication journal, they discuss the seriousness of the wildlife's endangerment because of the domestic cat killings all over the country. The president and chief executive of the American Bird Conservancy, George H. Fenwick, claims that this is the highly quality of research they have ever had in regards to the killing of so many birds throughout the U.S. and it has provided them with more official numbers in order to start efforts to make a change.

Many believe that with the findings of this study there will be a stronger continued debate between the environmentalists who are claiming to address the domestic cat hunting concern in the U.S. There are numerous bird advocates who are seeking to pin point the problem with the domestic cat, an animal that is very much indeed guilty of numerous killings on their daily strolls in the neighborhood. The claim that because of these cats there are many specifies of birds whose life are in danger. On the opposite side of the spectrum, however, remain the animal activists who claim that it is inhumane to euthanize cats or dogs, even if they are strays and remaining in shelters for long periods of time.

In order to find a middle ground between these two animal activist sides, they have both agreed that something needs to be done with pet animals having the freedom to roam around the neighborhood if they are domesticated. While there are countless laws for dogs being unable to run around without their owner or a leash, they believe the same laws should be put in place for cats as well. Many of these groups and organizations are seeking to do whatever they can in order to educate the public and seek to protect the animal wildlife from these vicious felines.

Not only are the birds and mammals in the wild suffering from these free roaming domestic cats, but the activists are also trying to share with the owners that by allow them to run freely is also a danger to them as well. Many cats will die at a far earlier age as a result of running in the wild. According to Danielle Bays, with the Washington Humane Society, she claims that when owners let their animals run freely their lives are shortened significantly because of encounters with other animals in the wild.

Unfortunately addressing the concern of domestic cats isn't the biggest problem when it comes to feline slaughters in the wildlife. The domestic cats count for just 29% of the bird killings and 11% of the mammal killings. It is the estimated 80 million stray cats that roam around the country that are attacking the majority of the wildlife animals as a means of food and survival. Care for your domestic animals, and remember to take them frequently to the vet; especially if your cats are among the free roaming animals in the area.