I began to make and sell Birdsbesafe cat collars in 2009, after having used one for my own bird-hunting terror of a cat, George. He had gone from frequent bird captures ( several a week often) to 2-3 birds captured in 16 months, before he passed away in the woods, himself.

I had invented Birdsbesafe based on a theory. Knowing songbirds see bright colors preferentially, I wondered if a bright flared "collar" would help them ID George stalking and have time to fly away.

We knew when George caught birds because it was usually dawn and he'd bring them indoors. I'll spare you the details. It was heart-wrenching. I love birds. I would have kept him indoors, but he had been my husband's cat a long time (before my time) and he was "an outdoor cat."

Did I really think my idea would work when I first tried it on him? I wasn't sure, but it was certainly worth a try.

When he stopped capturing birds, I was stunned, really. Shocked. Thrilled. Ecstatic. At peace with the woodlands again.

When I decided to go into business, I told it to my website readers truthfully. The story of George and the theory. I said that I hoped it would work the same for their cats, but I couldn't know for sure. I let them decide whether to buy it or not, hoping that enough customers would "test it" and let me know how it did. If it didn't work on any other cats, I would just go out of business, but, to be honest, I was quite hopeful it would work effectively.

Now, three years later, I can't (YET) offer scientific testing measured by scientists, but I can tell you what my customers have told me: Birdsbesafe either strongly reduces or stops bird-killing for outdoor cats for something like 80-90% of customers. My customers, often entirely grateful for the bird-harming to lessen or nearly end, are happy to have answered my two annual surveys so far.

And the feedback comments are there for you to read on the feedback page. There are a smattering of endorsements by real customers like Liz Gilbert and wildlife rehabbers and all sorts of cat owners. They are all word-for-word honest. You have my Vermonter's pledge that's so. Birdsbesafe makes friends easily because it works.

Birdsbesafe got more complaints about an early model of inadequate (yet safe) interior collar than any issue with effectiveness, and thank goodness, the new collar gets no complaints. There are some cats that still can catch some birds. (See FAQ page for examples of why.)

But if all you need to spend is less than $20 to see if you'll become one of our happy tribe of loyal, repeat customers--well, aren't the wild birds worth it? I hope so. Birdsbesafe, the company, is neither rich nor big, but we are honest, earnest, and trying to reach more cat owners and protect more birds. 2012 is our year to grow wings! Thanks!

Tags: Birdsbesafe , cat behavior, trusting the product , customer satisfaction