We live in a rural town and our neighbors, hardly able to care for their own kids, have like 7 cats. These cats are in our trash, in our yard and even have a place worn down under a portion of our chain link where they cross thru. Our penned dogs bark at them all the time, when they are in our yard, and we are just tired of the cats. There is a city ordinance on pets, but doesn't really get enforced unless a stray dog is running loose bothering people. So, with all these cats, and them reproducing, what would you do?
2007-10-16 06:18:36 · 10 answers · asked by Sheila 6 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
PS I have small children, that like to play outside. I am constantly picking up trash that these cats dig out of our cans onto the ground and they poop in our yard and sand pile play area.
2007-10-16 06:20:03 · update #1
First, throw out or dispose of the sand pile somehow. Cat's fecal matter has some really nasty things in it that your kids don't need to be exposed to plus there are probably other animals using it as a toilet. Get a coverable sandbox if your kids want to have one and make sure that it stays covered when they're not using it. Second, try the outdoor version of a cat repellant. It's available at pet stores and may help deter the cats from getting into your stuff. I'd also get trash cans that the cats won't be able to get into. I know that this is a nuisance for you and your neighbors should take care of their own cats but if you want the cats to stay out of your yard then you have to make it as uninviting as possible so they'll go somewhere else. I would also put a planter with a thorny bush in it right in front of the hole under the fence.
I love cats and I keep mine indoors because that's where they're safest and my neighbors won't be bothered by them. It's not the cats faults that the neighbor doesn't care for them and that they're looking for food in your trash. What a shame - animals deserve to be treated better.
2007-10-16 06:35:52 · answer #1 · answered by Susan G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very very easy way to stop the trash problem is to bungie cord the tops, we've had to do that because of the raccoons here.
Or you can rig up a thing that hangs from the cover of the trash that has dangles on (say pin stocking toes to it) that hold about 4 or 5 mothballs each. No cat will go near mothballs. That might even keep away the raccoons too.
At the very least, buy a trash can that has a tight fitting lid. You have to look at your equipment and make sure it's not adding to the problem.
2007-10-16 12:40:39 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bleach is a POISON -- it can hurt the cats AND your KIDS, too! Do not do that... : (
Please contact your local ASPCA or Humane Society. They will investigate this family and if they find that these cats are neglected and/or NOT being cared for properly, they will confiscate them.
It seems they are NOT being fed properly. Cats don't usually rummage for food like that UNLESS they are very HUNGRY... : (
Poor cats...... : (
In the meantime, consider purchasing a garbage can with a LOCKING LID on it that you can toss your trash in (lock the lid each time] to prevent them from ripping through the bags in the future.
And one more note --- it is NOT the CATS fault that the owners are NEGLECTING them, so please do not do anything cruel to the cats.
IT is the OWNERS fault! They are BAD people - and those poor cats should be taken to the animal shelter ASAP!
Good luck!
: )
2007-10-16 06:30:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do your self and the cat a desire. Get a heavy duty kitchen trashcan that has a lid on it. which will a minimum of shop your cat out of the trashcan. That being reported although, some cats basically have "a element" for licking and chewing on plastic. Out of our very super cat kinfolk we in common terms have 2 although, that I evaluate "obsessed" with plastic. I deter them from doing this by utilising utilising "tall" kitchen rubbish cans in each and all of the rooms of the abode the place we've a can, and verify i purchase baggage that don't hang down over the sting of the trash can excessively. in no way spray Clorox, or any product like that as a deterrent. I sparkling with a mix of water and Clorox and my cats are interested in the scent of it. at the same time as its the superb purifier for a multi-cat kinfolk, you extremely do no longer desire your cats ever eating it, or getting too a lot of it on their feet or of their eyes.
2016-10-07 01:04:30 · answer #4 · answered by palomares 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd contact animal control and have them bring you traps for the cats (these are completely safe and don't hurt the animals). Trap the cats and let animal control deal with them. It's not likely the owners are keeping up with vacinations and cats do carry rabies and multitudes of other diseases-they could be dangerous to you children. Not to mention the feces they are likely leaving on your property. I would also let the neighbors know and suggest you may need to charge for clean up service. Take pix of the cats on your property if you can. I hate irresponsilble pet owners. Good luck.
2007-10-16 06:28:19 · answer #5 · answered by chiquita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off for your trash cans spray white vinegar around them along with cayenne pepper sprinkled around the ground. hopefully this will keep them away from the trash. seems how they are coming into your yard i would call either animal control or ASPCA/humane society and see if you can borrow their live traps. if they don't offer to loan those out you can buy them. set them up to catch the cats and then take them to animal control. they will spay/neuter them and give the owners a chance to take them back at a cost. i would also take either bricks or cinder blocks and block off the portion of the fence they come through to get into your yard. another idea is to call the ASPCA/humane society in your area and see if they have a catch and release program for strays. this was started so that people could catch strays, have them altered, then have them released back into the neighborhood, at no cost to the person who caught them. this helps with the cat population, and it didn't take the cat out of its environment just to be put to sleep.
add: get a tarp to cover your sandbox and tie it down with yard stakes. that's how we keeps strays, raccoons, skunks, and possums out of our sandbox
2007-10-16 06:38:59 · answer #6 · answered by g g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to confront the owners about this problem. The cats are NOT to blame, the owners are at fault. I strongly promote keeping cats indoors at all times. Cats do not belong outside, it's just too dangerous. Your situation is another good example. Cats belong inside at all times.
2007-10-16 07:29:02 · answer #7 · answered by veggurl21 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you can start by talking to your neighbor and tell them your concern. if this doesnt work, then maybe you can let your dogs run in your yard a couple of times everyday, so as to scare the cats away. once they (the cats) learn that dogs are in your yard, they will stay away from it.. even if your dogs are in their pen. you see, once your dogs are let go in the yard, they leave distuishing marks and smell that cats can sense . even , if your dogs are not visible to them.
2007-10-16 06:31:51 · answer #8 · answered by j 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Spray some bleach in the trash can , once they realize that the food there is tainted they will look elsewhere.
2007-10-16 06:26:41 · answer #9 · answered by BILL 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
bungee cord the lid to the can so it wont come off.
2007-10-16 08:39:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋