Cats in my yard

[Catty1]

Then call AC, hon. If they have owners who really care, the owners would go get them.

[Karen]

Absolutely call AC, as mentioned, the ones who are spraying are obviously not neutered, and if they belong to anyone, AC should be able to scan for a microchip. And they may well be ferals. A yard full of cat feces is a health hazard, and will just attract more, so getting on the situation sooner rather than later is the best thing.

There is a spray called Feliway, but with the Florida rains, that wouldn't be too effective outdoors. Does your yard have any kind of a fence?

[Catherinedana]

We are putting in a chain link fence at the back this weekend and plan to fence off the front of the yard in the next couple of months. That might deter them a bit but I know that kitties go where they want to! I've seen these guys leap over the stockade fence at the side of the yard in a single bound!

Thanks for your input - I know there might be some folks who don't agree, but I'm going to trap them and get AC to pick them up. You are right about the owners - if they care about the cats they will look for them at the AC headquarters in our county. Or if the cats are microchipped, AC might contact the owners and let them know that they are in violation of the county ordinance that say animals are not allowed to roam (there is an ordinance like this; I checked).

When I landscape, I'll use the cedar chips as a deterent. But I think I'll look for the Feliway too. I'll spray that near the bird room window so that the cats give that spot a wide berth.

[Catty1]

Feliway does not repel cats - it is used for calming them and stopping spraying. It's bio-identical pheromones that cats give off when they rub their heads or cheeks against something - it's a 'happy place' scent. My vet allowed me to use it on Oscar instead of kitty Prozac (thank goodness!).

Good luck with everything. Above all, I feel sorry for the cats...they don't know no better. AC is definitely the right move.

[Catherinedana]

Feliway does not repel cats - it is used for calming them and stopping spraying. It's bio-identical pheromones that cats give off when they rub their heads or cheeks against something - it's a 'happy place' scent. My vet allowed me to use it on Oscar instead of kitty Prozac (thank goodness!).

Good luck with everything. Above all, I feel sorry for the cats...they don't know no better. AC is definitely the right move.

OK - no Feliway. Do they have something like that for humans? I guess it's called "wine"!

I feel sorry for the cats too - it's been pretty cold here for Florida and the kitties, who can't possibly be used to this weather (I know I'm not!) are out in it no matter what.

oh well. . .

[MoonandBean]

You will be doing the most humane thing for them. With my Bean missing, I WISH someone would have had him picked up because then I could find him.

[Twisterdog]

I feel your pain. Every fall I have to put out cat traps for all the stray/feral/homeless cats in my town. They are sick, skinny, mangy, pathetic creatures and I feel sorry for them. But they are also loud, smelly, destructive ... and not mine! I firmly believe it is absolutely the most humane thing to do to trap them and call Animal Control. There are certainly fates worse than a humane death.

[Karen]

OK - no Feliway. Do they have something like that for humans? I guess it's called "wine"!

I feel sorry for the cats too - it's been pretty cold here for Florida and the kitties, who can't possibly be used to this weather (I know I'm not!) are out in it no matter what.

oh well. . .

Dang, I know there's a "cat repellant" spray, check your hardware store, for after the clean-up and fence. A fence won't keep a determined cat out, but it is a good spot to spray with the repellant!

[Queen of Poop]

What about a motion activated sprinkler?