I live in a neighborhood with 3 or 4 registered cats that are allowed to roam freely, day and night. I came home yesterday to find one of these cats hiding by my bird feeder, looking to catch a free meal. I'm indifferent about cats, but as a bird fan, this really ticks me off.
The cats all have ID tags, but they run when approached. I was considering using a live animal trap to catch the cat and return it to the owner, but I doubt they'll get the message without a fine. If allowing a cat to roam freely isn't a finable offense, then I welcome your suggestions. Calling the animal wardon isn't an option - they won't come unless the cat is hostile towards humans. Seems to me that someone allowing a dog to roam the neighborhood wouldn't get the same blind eye.
2007-09-10 03:13:46 · 14 answers · asked by Billy Bob 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks for the answers.
I would, however, like to give special recognition to "teresathegreat" for contributing the most pathetic answer. Why the heck would I go out of my way to pay for a device to accomidate somebody's fantasy to have an outdoor cat? I'm also not going to pour chemicals and maintain my yard to guard against the same.
I'm considering trapping the cat and relocating it somewhere very far away.
2007-09-14 02:44:08 · update #1
depends where you live - call your city By-law department (police) and ask them.. they may even have traps for you to use..
however you make not want to return the cats to the owner who will simply allow them to roam again... its better for you to take them to the SPCA, pound or whomever deals with "stray" cats .. they will FINE the people which will make a bigger impact...
DO NOT remove the collars and tags...it is not the cats fault they have bad owner..
2007-09-10 03:26:54 · answer #1 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You'd need to your city's pet laws, but yes, cats are allowed to roam free in most areas (mostly because, unlike dogs, cats can climb fences but won't bite humans).
Don't trap the cat - the cat is not your property, even if it is on your property. Don't get too frustrated with the owner - the cat has a right to roam, and the owners aren't any more capable of telling the cat where not to go than you are.
But there is a great solution: sound. You can buy special sonic "fences" that detect movement and emit a special tone that only cats and pests (groundhogs, etc) can hear. Kinda like a dog whistle, but this will work even when you're not around. The cats will get the message and the birds will stay safe. Or just hang the feeder in a place the cats can't reach - it may take a little ingenuity on your part, but it can be done.
2007-09-10 12:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what happens to the cat after it's trapped, you can have some very angry owners after you. If one was injured by you then there's the potential for a lawsuit.
Avoid the whole thing and just buy some cheapo mothballs (not the flakes), stick them in the toe of a nylon stocking and hang right where the cat tries to hide to watch the birds. The smell will keep any cat away from that area and won't bother the birds at all. You can put these anywhere you want, and cats give them a wide berth. Leave them lay on the gound too, if you like but hanging up is better. Eventually rain will wear away the balls, you just replace with new ones.
I've got a bird feeder and believe me, any healthy bird is NOT going to be easy prey for a cat, they're just too quick on the wing to be caught easily. The only danger would be for morning doves, which are ground feeders, but they're usually pretty observant because of this. We have a stray who likes to TRY to catch birds, but out of 15 attempts I've observed (and yes he does use the bird blind approach in the bushes) he's only caught one sparrow.
2007-09-10 11:08:57 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In most communities, cats are considered "free agents". meaning that there is no leash or containment requirement. You could try trappintg the cats and returning them to the owners, but as you have noted, this will probably have little effect. The animal warden has no legal reason for coming out to trap the cat. Your best bet is to simply chase them off when they are stalking the bird feeder.
2007-09-10 10:25:18 · answer #4 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
this might help keep the cats away from your feeders and birdbaths
take 2 oz of white vinegar in a small spray bottle and spray around the feeders and baths. take care not to get any in the water or on the food. you will have to do this every few days or after a rainfall. cats hate vinegar
i don't know if this will affect the birds or not but another mixture to keep cats away is:
2 tbs of cayenne pepper
3 tbs of powdered Chinese mustard
4 tbs of all purpose flour
mix them in 2 quarts of warm tap water. allow to stand for 1 hour. strain well. place in a spray bottle and spray in areas you don't want any cats. again you will have to respray in a few days or after a rainfall
2007-09-10 10:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by g g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please do not put traps down and do not get a pellet gun! cats, unfortunately for you bird lovers, have a tenancy to be where you least want them to be near your feeders and the fact that you have a bird feeder is just too good an opportunity for a cat to miss - they are hunters by nature and will just want to try and get the birds. You could, nicely, talk to the owners and see if they can try and help but short of removing the bird feeder from where they can easily access it there is not much you can do.
2007-09-10 10:24:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It really is unfair that cats are allowed to roam wherever they please and nobody bats an eye at them, while dogs can't leave the yard. I believe they make a spray that you can put around youre bird feeder that will keep the cats away, they don't like the smell of it or something.
2007-09-10 10:27:23 · answer #7 · answered by ♫jmann♫ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would check your local laws. For many places there are fines and punishments associated with allowing a pet cat to roam due to overpopulation and the development of feral cat colonies . Its normally a county ordinance. You can call your local animal control/service to find out for sure. Hope this helps.
2007-09-10 10:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by lilith 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yea I would think the animal control would do something doesn't seem fair that they let cats run loose while any dog caught out of its yard gets taken in. Catch it in your live trap and take it in yourself say you found it wondering the streets let the people worry when the cat doesn't come back and find it's in the animal shelter
2007-09-10 10:22:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The legal thing varies by locality. In some places, it's perfectly legal to let them roam, in others, it's a quick trip to the pound.
You might want to invest in a Super Soaker. Cats hate getting blasted by one of those, and it's a lot less likely to get you in trouble with your neighbors.
2007-09-10 10:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by El Jefe 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋