Calgary award from Nature Canada for the birds

After becoming one of the first cities in the country to ban pets from roaming at large, Calgary has been named the inaugural winner of the Safe Cats Safe Birds Award by Nature Canada.

The award was handed out at a ceremony held at Hotel Arts on Monday.

"Cities across the world, really, are following the Calgary model and figuring out ways to keep pets safe, but also reduce their impact on wildlife generally," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

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The honour also drew social media praise from author Margaret Atwood, who tweeted congratulations.

Along with the no-roam bylaw for pets, the city offers a free spay and neuter program for low-income owners, along with an educational program in schools and covers emergency medical care for injured strays, all funded by money collected from animal registrations.

Nature Canada officials estimate cats left to wander outdoors kill between 100 and 350 million birds each year.

"Many Calgarians don't recognize how much of a leadership role Calgary has played in animal and bylaw services," said Coun. Druh Farrell. "We brought in a cat bylaw long before other cities, and cities across Canada are looking at Calgary as a leader."

Farrell added the city has also incorporated design guidelines to reduce the number of birds killed by hitting windows.

Tuesday's ceremony also recognized Alberta's Lieutenant Governor, Lois Mitchell, as the newest member of Nature Canada's Women for Nature initiative, which is recognizing 150 women of influence who have an impact on the natural world as part of Canada's 150th anniversary.