Take a photo of a barcode or cover
9 reviews for:
Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer
Peter P. Marra, Chris Santella
4.0 AVERAGE
9 reviews for:
Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer
Peter P. Marra, Chris Santella
4.0 AVERAGE
[b:Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer|29452515|Cat Wars The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer|Peter P. Marra|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462160932l/29452515._SY75_.jpg|49727098] by [a:Peter P. Marra|15066575|Peter P. Marra|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] is a thorough discussion of outdoor domestic cats. Each chapter focuses on an issue that arises when cats are allowed to live outside. The authors use their impressive list of references, many of which are peer-reviewed, to explain the science.
We are presented with clear research and data that indicate, without a doubt, that domestic cats kill wildlife and carry disease. [a:Peter P. Marra|15066575|Peter P. Marra|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] presents the proposals for addressing the problems, the reactions of various groups of people and the scientific effectiveness of each plan.
While cats are not the only threat to birds (habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, etc.), it is something we can easily control. As a pet owner, I can choose to keep my spayed calico cat indoors. As an avid birder, I value the abundance and diversity of birds and other small animals in our world.
If you have a cat and care about natural ecosystems, I encourage you to read this book.
We are presented with clear research and data that indicate, without a doubt, that domestic cats kill wildlife and carry disease. [a:Peter P. Marra|15066575|Peter P. Marra|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] presents the proposals for addressing the problems, the reactions of various groups of people and the scientific effectiveness of each plan.
While cats are not the only threat to birds (habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, etc.), it is something we can easily control. As a pet owner, I can choose to keep my spayed calico cat indoors. As an avid birder, I value the abundance and diversity of birds and other small animals in our world.
If you have a cat and care about natural ecosystems, I encourage you to read this book.
Well-researched treatise on outdoor cats. Lots of things to make you think.
This book has been on my radar for a very long time. Perhaps not because it seems to have seriously ruffled the feathers of a great number of obdurate cat-owners, but because it presents an argument that I’d never really stopped to consider myself until the media furore that followed its publication exploded over social media a few months ago. Indeed, since then I’ve read several reviews in an attempt to gauge the general feel of this book but so polarised are opinions left in its wake, I’ve had no choice but to read it myself – and what a surprise it turned out to be! I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it – not because I hate cats – but because it was massively enlightening. Sensationalist title and inflammatory opening aside, the book explores a number of implications of growing “unowned, free-ranging” cat colonies stateside, from health implications (the best chapter in the book centres solely on cats as hosts of zoonotic diseases, with a focus on the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii) to the ethics of such colonies and, of course, the devastating effect that such populations can have on local fauna – particularly if that fauna is endemic to an isolated habitat such as an island.
The authors present some pretty mind-boggling numbers - all derived from statistical modelling - but overall the science was not as compelling as I had hoped it to be. Presenting such massive numbers without context is unhelpful when encouraging someone (the reader) to form a balanced opinion (though I'm pretty sure that was not the author's intention). I'd have liked to have seen comparisons of number of birds/reptiles/amphibians/mammals killed per week per cat with the number of birds/reptiles/amphibians/mammals killed per week by traffic or habitat destruction/growing urbanisation or perhaps other invasive species. The pandemic of invasive species - aptly named by Elizabeth Kolbert as 'the new Pangaea' - is heavily emphasised in the book but only from a feline perspective. Just how damaging are cats to the natural environment when contrasted with goats on the Galapagos, Stoats in New Zealand or the European Red Fox to Little Penguins on Middle Island, etc? It's evident when reading that a significant bit of cherry picking has gone on in order to push an agenda and, although I actually do agree that cat owners should keep their cats indoors and 'feral' cat colonies should be culled, it's no more agreeable to me than the culling of American Grey Squirrels in the UK to make way for the native red, and so on and so forth. This 'cat epidemic' as it is so named in the book is yet another example of anthropogenic activity negatively affecting wildlife but, in my opinion, there are far more pressing matters to be not only focusing on but encouraging people to direct their energy at. Of course conservation starts at home and perhaps the publication of this book will affect positive change in at least some cat owners but ultimately, conservation starts with empowering people to understand the implications of their decisions through information and 'Cat Wars' does a disservice to that ethos. It's enjoyable and informative at times but the agenda it really tries to hammer home is too often misleading.
The authors present some pretty mind-boggling numbers - all derived from statistical modelling - but overall the science was not as compelling as I had hoped it to be. Presenting such massive numbers without context is unhelpful when encouraging someone (the reader) to form a balanced opinion (though I'm pretty sure that was not the author's intention). I'd have liked to have seen comparisons of number of birds/reptiles/amphibians/mammals killed per week per cat with the number of birds/reptiles/amphibians/mammals killed per week by traffic or habitat destruction/growing urbanisation or perhaps other invasive species. The pandemic of invasive species - aptly named by Elizabeth Kolbert as 'the new Pangaea' - is heavily emphasised in the book but only from a feline perspective. Just how damaging are cats to the natural environment when contrasted with goats on the Galapagos, Stoats in New Zealand or the European Red Fox to Little Penguins on Middle Island, etc? It's evident when reading that a significant bit of cherry picking has gone on in order to push an agenda and, although I actually do agree that cat owners should keep their cats indoors and 'feral' cat colonies should be culled, it's no more agreeable to me than the culling of American Grey Squirrels in the UK to make way for the native red, and so on and so forth. This 'cat epidemic' as it is so named in the book is yet another example of anthropogenic activity negatively affecting wildlife but, in my opinion, there are far more pressing matters to be not only focusing on but encouraging people to direct their energy at. Of course conservation starts at home and perhaps the publication of this book will affect positive change in at least some cat owners but ultimately, conservation starts with empowering people to understand the implications of their decisions through information and 'Cat Wars' does a disservice to that ethos. It's enjoyable and informative at times but the agenda it really tries to hammer home is too often misleading.
I teach courses in conservation biology at a university, and some of the revelations in this book still surprised me. I knew all about the impact on birds and smaller vertebrates, but there's much more to it than that. Great read.
As a person who enjoys the outdoors and is concerned about climate change and species extinctions, I am open to the argument that introduced predators are destructive and should be controlled.
This book got an extensive write up in the NY Times - and I am wondering why. With its sensationalist title, alarmist chapter headings, and uneven writing, this book does not successfully advance its assertion that domesticated cats are responsible for native species decline around the world and should live solely indoors or be destroyed.
This is an important conversation that pet owners and wildlife lovers should be having - but there must be a better book out there.
This book got an extensive write up in the NY Times - and I am wondering why. With its sensationalist title, alarmist chapter headings, and uneven writing, this book does not successfully advance its assertion that domesticated cats are responsible for native species decline around the world and should live solely indoors or be destroyed.
This is an important conversation that pet owners and wildlife lovers should be having - but there must be a better book out there.
This is an absolutely necessary read for all naturalists, cat-lovers, and anyone who values the environment. It is not a light read, but it is comparable to Carson’s Silent Spring as a passionate call to action. While the truth is harsh, facing the devastating effects of free-ranging cats on our ecosystems is necessary for any plans of future conservation.
informative
medium-paced
I have no issue with the science, as hard as it may be for a cat-lover like me to read. I just disliked the tone. Woven between studies and data and good information were stories of people and situations; rather than show empathy and compassion, in many parts the tone of the writing seemed patronizing. If you want to change people’s minds, don’t roll your eyes at them.
It's difficult to objectively judge a book that takes such a controversial stance, especially considering the authors are predisposed to be biased in their presentation of the subject(with one being a naturalist, and one a birder).
I personally found the book to be an enjoyable read. Facts from studies are given fairly clearly. At the end of the day, regardless of your stance on the issue this book still holds value as an educational resource.
My main complaint in regards to the writing (and why this isn't getting 5 stars from me) is that the chapters get repetitive. This is a scientific publication written in concise lay terminology, but it still suffers due to repetition. It could have been condensed even more so than it currently is imo.
I personally found the book to be an enjoyable read. Facts from studies are given fairly clearly. At the end of the day, regardless of your stance on the issue this book still holds value as an educational resource.
My main complaint in regards to the writing (and why this isn't getting 5 stars from me) is that the chapters get repetitive. This is a scientific publication written in concise lay terminology, but it still suffers due to repetition. It could have been condensed even more so than it currently is imo.
Very interesting book, covers many aspects of the life of outdoor cats and the harm they do to wildlife and humans and the harm done to them.
Coverage includes biology (of cats, their prey and predators, their diseases and ecology), ethics, sociology, social psychology.
Presents several points of view, though I don't think the supporters of outdoor owned and feral cats will agree their arguments are given full consideration. To that extent it is a polemic in favour of not allowing cats to roam outdoors at all, but the case is very well made. I already agreed; I'd be interested to hear if it persuaded anyone who had not yet decided.
Coverage includes biology (of cats, their prey and predators, their diseases and ecology), ethics, sociology, social psychology.
Presents several points of view, though I don't think the supporters of outdoor owned and feral cats will agree their arguments are given full consideration. To that extent it is a polemic in favour of not allowing cats to roam outdoors at all, but the case is very well made. I already agreed; I'd be interested to hear if it persuaded anyone who had not yet decided.