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They're sort of feral. They were born outside and have never been inside. They're basically ignored except for feeding. It's obvious when the neighbor has forgotten them. I can see them waiting forever to be fed on occassion.
Have they been neutered and spayed? Someone should trap and neuter/spay them at least, even if they are returned to the same place. Animal Friends is doing super low cost on these at the moment. The last thing you need is for them to continue to breed out there; you won't believe the number of cats that will result!
Have they been neutered and spayed? Someone should trap and neuter/spay them at least, even if they are returned to the same place. Animal Friends is doing super low cost on these at the moment. The last thing you need is for them to continue to breed out there; you won't believe the number of cats that will result!
They're not neutered/spayed. His pets don't go to the vets for anything. They just keep breeding. Litters two years in a row. I'm sure there's another on the way this spring. One highly recommended solution across the internet is trapping and taking to the humane society. That's a bit extreme. I'll have to think about it.
I should have a talk with him. He's a fool but he's not mean. I just don't have any high hopes because of a conversation we had back when there was a rabid raccoon. I went to warn him and he shrugged his shoulders like "if they get rabies, oh well." I had no idea they weren't vaccinated when I went to tell him about the racoon. It blows my mind because he has small children.
I was goofing, but it would be possible since much of their property is wooded.
If so, there's probably plenty of diggable dirt already on their owner's property. What makes yours so appealing? If you can make it un-appealing, they'll go elsewhere.
Those poor kitties. They deserve better than someone who largely ignores them.
If so, there's probably plenty of diggable dirt already on their owner's property. What makes yours so appealing? If you can make it un-appealing, they'll go elsewhere.
He doesn't have landscaping over there. We have flower beds, vegetable gardens, foundation plantings, compost pile, etc. My dirt is loose and easy to kick around and bury poop. This is a high clay soil region so any earth that isn't prepared for a garden is difficult to dig. I like to garden so I'm not going to stop. Solutions that make it less appealing include putting pricky things in the dirt, like toothpicks, holly and rose bush cuttings, etc. While cats are smart enough to stay out of a bed of prickly things, my dogs aren't that smart.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81
Those poor kitties. They deserve better than someone who largely ignores them.
I do think it's sad. I like cats. He's a super irresponsible owner. I've heard them be reprimanded by visiting relatives for letting these cats get pregnant and ignoring them. So it isn't like people haven't tried to talk to them about it.
I wouldn't call him owner, really. Even if this may have started with cats he brought in, at this point he's a caretaker for ferals, not really an owner.
I know you probably don't want to be this involved, but here is some info on feral cats and TNR (trap/neuter/return):
How many cats are floating around there now? They will multiply like crazy starting in spring and all through the summer. The time to get on this is really now because if you let it go the problem will just get unmanageable. It's going to affect your whole neighborhood really.
I wouldn't call him owner, really. Even if this may have started with cats he brought in, at this point he's a caretaker for ferals, not really an owner.
I know you probably don't want to be this involved, but here is some info on feral cats and TNR (trap/neuter/return):
Maybe he is willing to do this. If not, I'll do it. I'm not timid. I'll do what needs to be done.
I hope they are tame enough to be placed in a home. They did have human contact when they were young. I'm not sure if they had enough contact to be tame though. They are very skitterish. If they have to come back to the environment they know, I hope Animal Friends gives them enough time to recover before being set loose. I'll call tomorrow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by greg42
How many cats are floating around there now? They will multiply like crazy starting in spring and all through the summer.
I think it's down to five or six. They disappear (probably die) pretty fast. They're not very bright (probably due to inbreeding). They stand in the middle of the road and stare at cars.
Quote:
Originally Posted by greg42
The time to get on this is really now because if you let it go the problem will just get unmanageable. It's going to affect your whole neighborhood really.
You're right. I wanted to do something in the Summer. I posted in the dog forum and an idiot gave me a hard time telling me I had some nerve judging my neighbor, it's a free world and crap. It ended up being a thread where the moderators deleted a bunch of posts. LOL
Hm....I like the idea of a sand pit but hauling in sand seems prohibitive. Maybe just finding a couple of spots and digging up the dirt till its nice and soft like your garden and flower beds.
I had a friend that used tuna cans with a little ammonia in them placed around her flower beds. If you don't want to try to ammonia maybe vinegar. you would have to put more out every time it rains.
Also....I didn't read the links but I think cats don't like the feel of some of the rougher mulches. Couple of inches of some nice choppy wood mulch might deter
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