What the cat brought in and where to send it

I AM a fourth-year zoology student at UCC where I am conducting a survey of the dietary habits and predation success of the domestic cat.

The survey runs for the duration of the winter months and will finish at the end of January.

The aim of the study is to compare rural and urban domestic cats and the effects they exert on native wildlife populations in Ireland. I am looking for cat owners to participate in the study, which involves the owners keeping a record of what their cat kills and brings back to the house.

Information packs will be posted out to volunteers. The packs include a prey identification key, a data sheet for recording the kills, and Ziploc bags for sending the dead animals to me at UCC as I require them for identification.

Recruitment of participants is staggered, so it is feasible to participate in the survey anytime up to Christmas.

If you have any queries or suggestions, please contact me.

Tony Dunne

c/o UCC Zoology Department

Lee Maltings Buildings

Dyke Parade

Cork

Tel. [phone].