Cats: Invasive Species?

# Stuff You Should Know - Cats as an Invasive Species

In this episode, Josh and Chuck dive into the surprisingly controversial topic of domestic cats as an invasive species, exploring the science behind why these beloved pets are devastating to wildlife populations around the world. They trace cats' domestication back to the Middle East around 12,000 years ago when they began hunting rodents near human grain stores, then shift gears to discuss the shocking statistics: cats kill billions of birds and mammals annually in the United States alone, and are linked to dozens of species extinctions globally. The hosts break down the heated debate between wildlife biologists who advocate for population control and cat advocates who support trap-neuter-release programs, while also examining practical solutions like keeping cats indoors and stronger licensing laws—though they acknowledge the uncomfortable reality that truly solving this problem would require measures most people find morally unacceptable.