Coyote in San Francisco Botanical Garden
The cat community in San Francisco is outraged that SF Animal Care and Control (ACC), funded by our tax dollars, is no longer willing to take in
“feral” kittens - kittens found outside who are weaned, but still very young and easy prey for coyotes. The reason they instruct trappers to return them “to the wild” is that they appear to them to be “feral” as they show fear of humans by hissing and hiding. Often, kittens 4 months and younger are still able to be socialized and adoptable. (The State of California does not consider cats to be wild animals.)
stray cats - social cats found in unsafe locations. The reason they instruct callers to just leave the cat where found is that they believe the cat is just roaming and will return to their home. They do not take into account that the cat may have been chased by a dog or coyote and has left their roaming zone. ACC staff could scan for a microchip and help reunite lost cats with their humans.
Domestic cats (whether feral or socialized) are prey for Coyotes.
Articles:
What Do Coyotes EAT Here in San Francisco
New Study Says Urban Coyotes Eat Garbage, Ornamental Fruit and Domestic Cats
Coyotes, pets and community cats
9 thoughts on “Coyotes Don’t Eat Cats Very Often”
Understanding Coyote Behavior in Urban/Suburban Areas and Assessing Risk to Cats