Commentary
We have shared posts about the intersection of wildlife and our domestic animals <Link>. The risks are worth more attention and specifically, pet owner education. Margaret Davis shares the zoonotic drawbacks created by urban greening initiatives that beautify cities, support biodiversity and purify air by creating habitats for diverse flora and fauna.
Davis references a study from The Netherlands which concluded environmental shifts like urban greening may exacerbate rodent presence, thereby increasing zoonotic disease threats in urban settings . . . like Leptospirosis sp, rabies, parasites and other pathogens.
Source: The Science Times, via AVMA SmartBrief, March 19, 2024. Link.
INSIGHTS: Where there are rats there are cats . . . followed by foxes, coyotes and bobcats, then raccoons, opossums and more. Urban green spaces often host deer and are attractive to birds and raptors. Keeping pets safe requires added attention to preventatives and increased efforts to educate pet owners.