Protect Wildlife Through Responsible Pet Ownership

Caring for our pets and caring for our local wildlife go hand in hand. Cats kill billions of songbirds each year in America.  The majority are killed by unowned cats, so spaying and neutering is vital to responsible pet ownership.  Cats who are cared for in a home live longer and healthier lives.  In our neighborhood, most pet owners already help protect nature by keeping dogs leashed on walks, picking up their waste, and ensuring cats stay indoors or in contained outdoor spaces. These small choices make a big difference: they prevent injury to songbirds, small mammals, and pollinators, and they preserve the natural balance that makes our community such a beautiful place to live.

As we think about what it means to build an intentional, collaborative, and nature-protecting community, we invite everyone to reflect on how our pets interact with the outdoors. Even gentle, well-fed cats and dogs may follow their instincts to chase or hunt. For wildlife—especially young birds in spring—these encounters can be devastating.

How we can work together

• Keep cats indoors, supervise their outdoor time, or build a contained "catio" for outdoor enjoyment. As I mentioned, indoor cats live longer, healthier lives—and our birds and small native animals stay safer too.

• Use leashes or fenced areas for dogs. This ensures pets don’t wander into protected areas or disturb wildlife habitats. This also protect other dog neighbors as we never know what might excited or agitate our pet. 

• Share knowledge, not blame. Our goal isn’t to point fingers but to create shared awareness about how much our collective choices matter.

By supporting responsible pet habits, we reinforce a core value of our neighborhood: living with nature, not against it. Thank you to the many pet owners already leading by example—and to everyone willing to join in protecting the plants, animals, and waterways that make our community special.