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Old February 20th 17, 05:04 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
jmcquown[_2_]
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Default Wild Minks in South Carolina

In the last week there have been a number of sightings of wild minks on
the island where I live. I've lived here for nine years and had no idea
minks were indigenous critters. Alligators, snakes, raccoons,
oppossums, river otters, marsh rats (tiny little benign creatures) yes.
Minks, nope!

Minks are related to weasels. They are apparently beautiful but they
are also very vicious. They'll kill and eat any small prey. That
includes cats.

There have been several emails to residents on the island where I live
urging people not to let cats go outside.

I realize this is a somewhat contentuous issue with some RPCA members
who don't live in the US and don't have the same types of predators. I,
for one, see no reason for cats to roam around outside.

At any rate, the wild mink population is up. The sightings sparked
several people to urge folks not to let their cats run around outside.
Especially not if they live near water or marshes (apparently minks like
fish but they'll also kill pretty much any mammal when hunting for food,
and that includes cats).

It's odd I've lived here all this time and had no idea minks were
indigenous to this area.

Jill