Wednesday, May 13, 1998

For the birds

At a recent National Audubon Society board of directors meeting, a resolution was adopted recognizing the science-based conclusion of the negative impact that feral and free-ranging domestic cats have on birds and other wildlife. The key points that led the board to this conclusion included the following:

-- Feral cats are non-native predators that kill hundreds of millions of native birds annually in the United States.

-- Birds represent 20 percent to 30 percent of prey killed by feral cats.

-- Feral cat colony programs, which capture, vaccinate, feed and neuter feral cats, do not eliminate predation on native wildlife or reduce the size of feral cat colonies.

-- Bites, scratches and fecal contamination from feral cats pose a risk to the general public through transmission of diseases.

What you can do:

-- Keep only as many pet cats as you can feed and care for.

-- Keep your cats indoors.

-- Neuter your cats or prevent them from breeding.

-- Locate bird feeders in sites that do not provide cover for cats to ambush birds.

-- Do not dump unwanted cats in rural areas.

-- Eliminate food sources, such as garbage or outdoor pet food dishes.

-- Do not feed stray cats.

LINDA WHITE

Big Country Audubon Society

Credit to Abilene

On May 8 a group of sixth-grade students from Franklin Middle School attended a Texas Rangers game at The Ballpark in Arlington. I work as an usher in the section where they were seated. They and their sponsors are to be commended for the students' behavior. Although they were enthusiastic and noisy (as we like our fans to be), they were extremely well-behaved and gave no trouble whatsoever. They are a credit to Franklin, the Abilene Independent School District and to Abilene.

That same evening there was another group from a middle school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area seated in a nearby section. The contrast between the two groups was remarkable! They were constantly having to be reprimanded by their sponsors for unruly behavior.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I taught at Franklin 20 years ago (I was the speech pathologist). So of course I was especially proud of the students from my old school.

MARY BANE

Grand Prairie

Loss of the Martins

It is with great sadness that we read of the unhappy conclusion of the lives of Dr. and Mrs. Ed Martin. Dr. Martin was the physician of both our parents -- Selma and Kenneth Bowen. Prior to Mother's death in 1982, Dr. Martin made unfashionable house calls so that we could take care of her at home, since Hospice of Abilene (now Hendrick Hospice Care) was in the planning stages but could not yet offer services.

Elsie Lou was perhaps the most giving and selfless person we have ever known. She helped the Cambodian families get settled here in the 1970s. And she came by to see Mother faithfully every single day during her illness. She was simply the best.

Abilene has lost two of its most generous citizens. We hope the people of Abilene will remember Ed and Elsie Lou Martin, not for the unfortunate way they died, but for their contributions to this community.

BRONWYN AND BETTIE BOWEN

Abilene