With spring comes an abundance of "presents" from our kitties

For me, today marked the official first day of spring. Why? Because today Cookie brought me her first catch of the season, a (dead) bird.

This is one of the most natural behaviors in cats, I've grown accustomed to it, but it's still not very pleasant.

I made the mistake of not putting on my glasses when I opened the window for her this morning, so I failed to see that she was carrying a bird in her mouth. I know I can't stop her from doing what's natural, but I really regret letting her bring a dead animal into the house. This isn't the first time it has happened, so I just have to be more cautious as the new season begins. I worry about possible unhealthy things that wild animals might be carrying that she might therefore be carrying inside. 

Despite the ickyness, Cookie was so proud of herself which was adorable. I've seen cat owners try to reprimand their cats for killing animals outside, which is silly and flat out abusive. If you don't want to deal with the dead critters, keep your cats indoors. It's cruel to punish a cat for a behavior that is completely natural.

That's my opinion. Any different (or similar) point of views about this topic?

Gus has been hunting this spring too, so far I've had two shrews and a snake left dead on my doorstep. He's got a little jingle collar that he wears which I like to think scare away the birds before he has a chance to try and catch one. I've seen him try to pounce on birds and they usually bolt before long before he has a chance.

If I were to see him with a live catch in his mouth, I wouldn't reprimand him by any means... but I would still try and free the creature from him. I've seen what cats do with their prey! Nature is cruel but we don't have to be, so I will try to either prevent him from being a successful hunter or save the critter that he has targeted.....sometimes I'm too late and am forced to make snake and shrew stew for dinner

People not living in the tropics get to have seasonal gifts from their kitties.   I get them all year round. But birds are rare. Snakes, frogs, lizards, mice, rats have been the regular fare. So it's mostly "ground" stuff.   And 95% of the time they're alive. 60% of the time I manage to free the critters but because I have more than one cat, the presents tend to change paws and the poor guy dies of shock or a heart attack. 

We get year-round gifts, too, in our mild climate.  But more this time of year.  I just tonight took out a live lizard.  They mostly come in alive; don't always go out that way   but I save them when I can.  

I am glad when the prey is dead. Worst is a live bird (preferably just after I am done cleaning floors. Unbelievable how many feather such a tiny critter has! So If I see my cat with a bird, that´s the only time he´ll be locked out of the house for a while.

Luckily it´s mostly mice. I think mice taste better to cats. Last year two of my cats came home with prey at the same time. One bird, one mouse... and both fought for the mouse.