Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer

Marra, director of Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center, and travel writer Santella (author of the Fifty Places travel guides) thoughtfully examine the severe ecological damage caused by feral cats and outdoor pet cats. Their highly readable explanations show how cats became an invasive species in fragile ecosystems such as New Zealand and the Revillagigedo Islands and discuss the damage caused by diseases that cats can spread to humans and other animals. Cat lovers are presented in a sympathetic light throughout, making the book worth reading no matter a reader’s position on free-ranging cats. The authors suggest reasonable solutions—backed by scientific studies—to end feral cats’ devastation of birds and mammals while sparing thousands of unwanted cats from suffering short and difficult lives. [em](Oct.) [/em]