Feed an Animal Today!

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 13:22

Well, if you are in the UK then the temperature is below zero and the small animals are in real trouble out there. Please consider putting out some scraps, bread, a handful of cat biscuits, old pet food, anything that will help them at this very difficult time of year.
I have stray cat hiding under my settee at the moment. It thinks no one knows it's there! It's really important to help out in this weather. A bowl of food, a place that's warm, a blanket, it means the difference between life and death for them right now.

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 13:39

goldy6660 said:
Wouldn't putting food out attract rats and other rodents?

I think it is more of a problem in the country, where there is a lower concentration of cats. Any rats around here have to keep a low profile thanks to all the cats. There is little chance they will get out of control. The worst I get here is seagulls, but they are not really a problem. I only get two or three that will actually land in the garden. Not like The Birds or anything.

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 13:46

Mr Badger said:
If you want to see a new low, post a thread on here asking people to do something nice for immigrants...

Shamefully true. And even British people will die in the cold this winter, and yet few (including the government) seem to care.

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 13:49

Dis86 said:
All of the plants in our gardens are native British species only. At the minute we've got berries all over the Honeysuckles and Guelder Roses which the smaller birds love. We left plenty of apples on the trees which the birds are absolutely destroying and there's tell-tale nibbles on the fallen ones too. The dogwoods have had all of their berries eaten already, early in autumn tbh.
Everything else is a spring or summer feeder.

We also leave fatballs, seeds and mealworms out. The variety of wildlife we get is crazy, everything from mice and voles up to owls and other birds of prey. We even had an Osprey overhead this year.

I get hedgehogs and stray cats but no birds. Well, discounting Seagulls and Red Kites. It is extremely rare to see a bird. It's probably down to the number of cats and Red Kites. Both frequently patrol the area.

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 13:58

arknor said:
to feed what? the rats

go out at around 6am and look how many rats you will spot any patch of council grass seems to have them living there

We need a Scrooge smiley. :cry:

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 15:33

lakitu said:
Shouldn't we let nature take it's course on wild animals? I mean aren't temperatures rising generally so in the past I'm sure it was colder. I love animals but not a fan of interferring with nature.

This is the first time i've heard about leaving food out for foxes and rats.

It's a bit like recycling two pop bottles, it's not going to save the world, it's not even going to change it, but isn't it nice to ease the pain of a few friends who are struggling to stay alive in your garden?

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 16:49

Richie said:
I can't remember the last time I seen Hedgehog or rabbit in Tesco round here....

I know I sound like a broken record but the current fad of pristine and artificial gardens aren't helping the wildlife.... Trees and plants/flowers being replaced with artificial items all over the place.

You clearly haven't seen my garden! :cry:

SpellowHouse · 11 Dec 2022 at 17:07

GreatAuk said:
Feel like I've missed a memo or something! Based on likes and comments it looks like loads of people are leaving food out... I've never heard of this being a 'thing' in the UK (apart from bird feeders obviously), and would be worried about attracting rats.

Has there been a TV show or something about this I've missed recently or have people always done this?

I thought loads of people did this! Must be regional!