The Celery Farm & Beyond: The Perils of Outdoor Cats

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The Perils of Outdoor Cats

I give The Record a lot of credit for running an Op-ed article today about the dangers posted by outdoor cats.

Whenever I try to bring up the subject, even gently, I am dismissed as a kook or am assured that their cat could never kill a bird.

Outdoor cats dangerous? Nobody wants to hear it.

But as the article -- by George Fenwick, president of the American Bird Conservancy -- points out, leaving cats outdoors is not particularly healthy for the cat either, even if you don't give a cat's patoot about wild birds. As for neutering and releasing feral cats, forget it...

The link is here.

A link to a column I wrote for The Record and Herald News on the subject (gently) is here. That's my cat Pook above; she's an indoor cat, always.

Posted at 10:03 AM | Permalink

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Directions

Directions to The Fell House
Look for white house with pillars, white barn, on west side of Franklin Turnpike, just north of Cottage Place.
Directions to Green Way entrance to the Celery Farm
Green Way is off the Franklin Turnpike, the second right heading north after the Celery Farm parking lot on the Franklin Turnpike. Parking is in the cul de sac. This is a residential street, so please drive and park considerately. Please do not block the large gates leading into the Celery Farm, and please park parallel to the curb.
Directions To Celery Farm Main Parking Lot
Parking lot is on your right, north of Cottage Place, past three houses. Please do not park on the sidewalk -- it is illegal, by state law. You could damage the sidewalk, make it dangerous for pedestrians, and receive a ticket. (Pass the word if you see anyone parking on thes sidewalk.)

My Books

Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Swan Babies

This children's book, photographed at the Celery Farm, is the heart-warming true story of a pair of mute swans who overcame a nor'easter to save their nest. All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House. Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Wright, Barrack & Friends of the Celery Farm: Survival: The Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale
This book is now avaialble as a download for iPads. Via Blurb.com: http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2677163
Jim Wright, Doug Goodell and Jerry Barrack: Jungle of the Maya

The definitive coffee-table book about Central America's largest -- and threatened -- rainforest. With sections on rare birds, howler monkeys and spider monkeys, Maya history, butterflies and more. Available on line. Wild Birds Unlimited may have a few copies.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack, with Doug Goodell: In the Presence of Nature

This is the coffee table book about the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, published in 2002 and now out of print. It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley. Copies are available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Icky the Hungry Heron

A children's book about an amazing Great Blue Heron's quest for a gigantic carp at the Celery Farm, featuring photographs taken at the natural area. All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House. Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Jim Wright and Kevin Watson: Hawk Mountain

This coffee-table book was published in 2009 as part of the world-famous raptor sanctuary's 75th anniversary. Features great photos by Kevin Watson, thoughtful prose, and some neat archival photos as well. Available at Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and online.
Jim Wright and the Artists of Northern Highlands: Ghosts of Allendale

A ghost story featuring Founding Father John Fell and the Celery Farm Natural Area. All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House. Now on sale at the Lee Memorial Library in Allendale, Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley. While supplies last.
Jim Wright, Jerry Barrack, Doug Goodell: Duck Enough To Fly

The classic children's book is now back in print. Photographed at the Celery Farm. The book is for sale as Nov. 29 at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale and Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus.
Photography by Jerry Barrack, Text by Jim Wright: Birds of the Celery Farm

This is a collection of Jerry Barrack's classic bird photography taken at the Celery Farm -- where else? Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus, and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.