Cats are a poor choice for pest control because you can't control the cats, they can decimate the local bird population. As reported in a study by the University of Nebraska Extension Service:

"Some proponents contend that feral cats provide societal bene ts by controlling invasive species such as pigeons (Columba livia), house mice (Mus musculus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), and European starlings (Stumus vulgaris). Feral cats do kill some of these animals, but they are not effective in controlling populations because pigeons, house mice, and Norway rats have adapted to liv- ing in close association with humans and human-related disturbance. In California, 67 percent of rodents, 95 percent of birds, and 100 percent of lizards brought home by cats were native species, and native birds were twice as likely to be seen in areas without cats. House mice (an invasive spe- cies) were more abundant and native rodents less abundant in areas with cats."

http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec1781.pdf

Consult a professional.

Regards, Paul Stromdahl

On Mon, Oct 31, 2016 at 12:52 PM, Stephanie Gilmore <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hello Museum-L Community,

Does anyone have experience with feral (i.e. wild) cat colonies on your site to help control rodents? Perhaps if you work at living history museums? I am looking for an environmentally friendly way to control rodents around my museum, which has a lot of outdoor space and thus a fair amount of rodent activity.

Here in Colorado, we have several shelters that participate in a trap-neuter/spay/vaccinate-release program for ferals, so I imagine it might be possible to “relocate” some of those cats to the museum grounds to help control the rodents. I’ll certainly contact the shelters but I wanted to know if anyone out there has specifically had experience with feral cats at a museum or living history site with significant outdoor space.

If you have experience with feral cats at your museum or institution, I’d appreciate any advice you might have about it. Anything from how you started the program, how you provide vet care, whether you have noticed a great change in rodent activity, etc.? Any unforeseen consequences?

Disclaimer: I am an animal lover. If my museum goes forward with something like this, I intend to make it as humane as possible. I would ensure that our museum can provide shelter, food, and vet care. Also, I am referring to feral cats- not domestic ones. I will not proceed unless I know my museum can properly care for these animals in a humane way.

Thanks for your advice!

Happy Halloween!

Stephanie Gilmore

Curator of Collections

Colorado Railroad Museum

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