On Sunday morning, I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing a domestic cat catching, killing and tearing apart a young wild rabbit on the lawn of St. George Catholic School. The City of Ottawa does allow cats to roam, but this cat (pictured above) was not wearing a collar and tag as required.

I appreciate the wildlife in our neighbourhood. Most of it, anyway. I enjoy seeing the wild rabbits munching on grass in my backyard and laugh at the antics of the chipmunks and squirrels. I have seen raccoons and skunks foraging in my yard, too, and even the occasional fox. I have also seen many species of birds in our neighbourhood. All of these play a role in maintaining the health of our local ecosystem and many of them are threatened by domestic cats “hunting”. The bird feeders that many of us have in our yards attract birds and other wildlife, which in turn attract free-roaming cats. I have chased a number of local cats out of my yard many times, including the cat pictured above.

Peter Blancher, a scientist with Environment Canada, estimates that house cats kill 38 to 133 million birds in Canada per year. Ted Chesky of Nature Canada reported a similar number of birds killed by pet cats in Canada. That’s an astounding number!

If you currently have a pet cat that you allow to go outdoors, please consider keeping it inside. There are creative indoor options for indoor cats including a “catio”. If you allow your cat to go outdoors, please equip it with a noise device (like a bell) on its collar. Cats are not easily seen by birds because they blend in well with our natural environment. Equipping your cat with a Birdsbesafe collar (available at several online sources), which is a comfortable but colourful collar, will help birds see the cat and make it more difficult for the cat to ambush birds and other wildlife.

Brian T.

Peter L. wrote on Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:02:18 -0400:

Just saw a large coyote this morning in the Champlain Woods while walking my small dog. Not aggressive but a decent size. Heads up to all residents with small dogs or children.

Thanks
Pete

A message passed on via a neighbour:

After 30 years with Canada Post, the time has come to retire. I’m finishing my career with two years in this friendly neighbourhood, ironically (but by choice) on the same route I walked during the Ice Storm! (1998). Thank you for all your kindness. Merry Christmas.
Neil

Subject: Dog walking in the woods
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2017 12:18:14 -0500
From: Nhung Hoang

I have lived in Champlain Park for 24 years and love this neighbourhood. The proximity to nature is one thing that is especially precious to me. I have a small dog (a bichon frisé who is getting somewhat elderly) who I take for walks daily. One of the places we like to walk is the path through the woods. Near the entry to the path, it is clearly marked that dogs must be leashed. Unfortunately, not everyone follows this bylaw.

Twice in the last few months my dog has been attacked by larger dogs that have been off leash. Fortunately, he has not yet been injured but I feel that it is just a matter of time. I understand that dogs like to run off leash. Farms, cottages and off-leash dog parks are all places where you can let your canine friends have some more freedom. Please do not do so in places where the law doesn’t allow and where your dogs (as friendly as you believe they are) may be a menace to other dogs (not to mention, skiers, snowshoers and other walkers). Thank you for your consideration.

Nhung Hoang, Cowley Avenue