Myself and my Mrs have just bought a house, well about 3 weeks ago now and Im having major problems with these 2 blasted cats that keep crapping all over my garden.

Every morning I get up and look out of my bedroom window only to see them there basking in the morning sun on my wooden decking looking at me and laughing in their liitle evil heads.

On friday night we had a barbecue and someone, well I, trod cat sh*t into the kitchen which totally stunk the rest of the house out because the wind from the backdoor was blowing it inwards.

Basically I want rid of them and Ill do anything to do it. Now ive been told that grinding paracetamol into cat food will kill them but obviously im not about to do that, so does anyone know of any humane ways of getting rid of these little buggers.

Cheers
James

Call animal control to come pick them up.

Are the cats stray? or do they have an owner that lives near you?

If they're stary then just call up your local humane society to pic 'em up and get them out of there...

Ahh, sorry, forgot to mention that they do actually live nearby somewhere.

James

Try adding Javex to the area that the cats are using.....

Check your local bylaws with Town hall. There may be laws against cats roaming free ( unlikely, but possible) if this is the case, you can call animal control and they can try to pick them upor you can go to your local rental shop and rent some humane skunk traps... The type that imprison the cats, and then drop them off at the humane society...

or hide a sprinkler in the area the cats use....... Wait for them to go in and then turn it on full blast.

Ex Animal control officer

Have you tried talking to your neighbour/the owner? Killing them or hurting them will get you into a LOT of trouble. Or... get a dog.

OK so what's javex? Also i live in the UK and our local petshop wont sell skunk traps. The sprinkler thing might work but im not gonna let them beat me by making me sit at home all day waiting to squirt them.

I was thinking more along the lines of some sort of reppelant, maybe that's what javex is, ill have to check it out.

Cheers for that
James

Don't worry reptilian-fe, im not the type to go killing innocent animals.

Just go and b*tch at the owners and threaten to call the police if the cats cause anymore trouble...

That's the best thing I could think of...:cartman:

Get one of thoes police dogs :D

Just go and b*tch at the owners and threaten to call the police if the cats cause anymore trouble...


How to win friends and influence neighbors ;)

If you can track down the owners your best bet is to talk to them nicely and then if it keeps up just call animal control.

Cat poop is bad but neighbors that hate you is worse.

Sadistikal

btw-> I'm betting the javex would do more harm then good to the cats. It's a pretty harmful substance (corrosive) used as a bleach mostly when washing clothes. It can also be used for removing mould and mildew off of things.

Not a good idea...:D

Ahhh...contact the neighbor that you think is the cat owner.
Since you recently moved in there, they might have hung out with the previous people :D
You might try using your water hose on them if they persist.
Cats tend to run from water, and it wont be FATAL to them but a good SQUIRT with the hose may scare them enough that they wont return.

Talk to the owner of the cats.

Our tenent downstairs has a cat that used to love to visit the old lady 3 doors down. Then the old lady moved, and the cat was constantly visiting the new owners. How is a cat to know?

You might try granular repellants like Boundary from Lamber Kay or Get Off My Garden. You can order the products online. Both should be available in your area. Also cats sometimes dislike strong citrus oders.

Good Luck

Actually, javex uses ammonia in it... Cats hate the smell of it, so it repells them. they wont go near it... as for the sprinkler, you weould only have to do it 2-3 times bvefore the cats learn....kinda like a spray bottle used for training, but on a bigger scale.

OK so Im gonna try the hose thing - Thanks to everyone for all the advice.

Off to buy a pressure hose

James

Someone else already said it, but I'll say it again anyway: DO NOT kill or hurt the cats. But I know you don't seem to be the type to do such horrible things, so I guess I didn't have to repeat it. ;)

In Sweden we have a thing called FY!, small green things that you place in the garden. I'm sure you have it where you live too, but under a different name... Hmm.

But if I were you I would go to the neighbours and talk to them about it. The best thing for the cats is to have them as indoor cats.
Most outdoor cats only become 2 years old because of traffic, cruel people, other animals, abusive children.
Try to explain that to the owner.

Originally posted by reptilian-fe
Have you tried talking to your neighbour/the owner? Killing them or hurting them will get you into a LOT of trouble. Or... get a dog.

Yeah, talking is best because killing them would most likely land you in jail :D

Actually, mothballs keep them away. They hate the stuff....well, so do humans and everything else come to think of it. However, most places that sell them also now have cedar smelling mothballs that humans like. That will also keep away the bad insects. The stuff you see in the Walmart garden center that keeps dogs and cats away has the same ingredients, and costs a lot more..

You touched a nerve here with me. I have been plagued with cats using my yard as their personal restroom. After a long talk with Animal Control I found that there is a thing here in the U.S. called "protection of private property rights". This allows a property owner to rid his property of unwanted varmints. As long as the animal doesn't suffer it is okay to effect a 'change of temporal state' upon the critter.

I know I will catch it from the cat-lovers, but I have no sympathy for those who have allowed their animals to turn my yard into a cesspool of stench and disease. (Yes, the bacteria carried in cat feces can be fatal to humans).

If your cats are truely 'house cats', THANK YOU. However, those who let them out at night to 'do their business' somewhere else (aka: my yard) :mad: :angry:

Originally posted by Lamont
You touched a nerve here with me. I have been plagued with cats using my yard as their personal restroom. After a long talk with Animal Control I found that there is a thing here in the U.S. called "protection of private property rights". This allows a property owner to rid his property of unwanted varmints. As long as the animal doesn't suffer it is okay to effect a 'change of temporal state' upon the critter.

I know I will catch it from the cat-lovers, but I have no sympathy for those who have allowed their animals to turn my yard into a cesspool of stench and disease. (Yes, the bacteria carried in cat feces can be fatal to humans).

If your cats are truely 'house cats', THANK YOU. However, those who let them out at night to 'do their business' somewhere else (aka: my yard) :mad: :angry:

Wow, it seem to be a long time since you "got something", if you know what I mean.

Do you honestly think it's okay to kill the cats for going into your yard?
It's not like they know that they aren't suppose to be there!
And what about the strays? They can't help that their homeless. They are homeless because some people are cruel idiots.

If homeless children came to your yard, would you kill them to? There's really no difference.

I think you should do more research before you act. And about that bacteria you mentioned, that's bull****. It's NEVER been proven.

Originally posted by andiegirl


I think you should do more research before you act. And about that bacteria you mentioned, that's bull****. It's NEVER been proven.

It's called Toxoplasmosis.... You should do more research before blaming him for not doing his....

Hmmmm, if all else fails, put up a tarp where they are sitting, I mean they are only coming for the sun arn't they?

Make this a no sun area for a few days and they will not come back, or maybe they might :D

Another method; put speaker where they lay, record dog bark, crank up volume, press play, have fun :D

Originally posted by Lamont
You touched a nerve here with me. I have been plagued with cats using my yard as their personal restroom. After a long talk with Animal Control I found that there is a thing here in the U.S. called "protection of private property rights". This allows a property owner to rid his property of unwanted varmints. As long as the animal doesn't suffer it is okay to effect a 'change of temporal state' upon the critter.

I know I will catch it from the cat-lovers, but I have no sympathy for those who have allowed their animals to turn my yard into a cesspool of stench and disease. (Yes, the bacteria carried in cat feces can be fatal to humans).

If your cats are truely 'house cats', THANK YOU. However, those who let them out at night to 'do their business' somewhere else (aka: my yard) :mad: :angry:

I don't understand why people are so hostile to each other and now animals. God forbid that a creature of nature decide that it needs to relieve itself and be in your yard. If you spread cow manure in your yard its fertalizer, if a cat poop in your yard its a toxic cesspool. Are you planning on leaning over and eating your soil? Because if not I doubt you are going to get sick little less die because a little feline took a poo poo in your precious lawn. And as far as allowing your animals to poop somewhere - I'm not too sure that this is really something one can control. Do you expect every bird that flies by to miss your lawn too? What about squirrels? Deer? Fox? What if a relative comes over and a child goes right on your lawn, will you retaliate against the child too? You should be happy that you have land to worry about, many people don't have that. There are millions in the world that would die to have a portion of a plot of land, and you are worring because a furry little animal relieved itself in your lawn. How silly, really, in the scheme of things. If there really is a problem, talk to your neighbors, get a hose, spray your lawn with something bitter. There are plenty of humane ways to make the poor kitty go away, no need to inflict any pain or injury upon a live animal for your personal lawn care.

Originally posted by ServerSonic


I don't understand why people are so hostile to each other and now animals. God forbid that a creature of nature decide that it needs to relieve itself and be in your yard. If you spread cow manure in your yard its fertalizer, if a cat poop in your yard its a toxic cesspool. Are you planning on leaning over and eating your soil? Because if not I doubt you are going to get sick little less die because a little feline took a poo poo in your precious lawn. And as far as allowing your animals to poop somewhere - I'm not too sure that this is really something one can control. Do you expect every bird that flies by to miss your lawn too? What about squirrels? Deer? Fox? What if a relative comes over and a child goes right on your lawn, will you retaliate against the child too? You should be happy that you have land to worry about, many people don't have that. There are millions in the world that would die to have a portion of a plot of land, and you are worring because a furry little animal relieved itself in your lawn. How silly, really, in the scheme of things. If there really is a problem, talk to your neighbors, get a hose, spray your lawn with something bitter. There are plenty of humane ways to make the poor kitty go away, no need to inflict any pain or injury upon a live animal for your personal lawn care.

And people have the right to be comfortable in thier environment just like animals, what if his wife is pregnant? do you know what could happen?

No respect from the cats, none :D

LOL, well a pregnant wife thats another story, and I'm not talking about the chance that the child gets intoxicated by the evil stealth rays of cat dung, I'm talking about the pregnant wife holding him hostage and screaming wanting to know if hes going to let their children run amuck and poop to their liking around the yard. Of course we know thats silly but you never know with pregnant women!

BTW yes humans have a right to be comfertable in their environments just as cats, but a few points:
1) if you let off aload near the cat, I highly doubt they would retaliate against you. Maybe wonder what is going on though...
2) isn't it less stress and time and effort to just stick the crap (literally) in a bag and toss it than it is to go setting up booby traps for your feline phantom? Honestly, grab a gardening shovel, scoop it into a bag or a cup and toss it, it takes less time than starting the mower to mow the lawn.

I am not anti-cat, but I do see some points needing to be made. I have cats and dogs. I keep them clean and well taken care of. Their shots are all up to date, and are on monthly medications to keep them disease free.

I wont kill an animal, but I do shoot other animals with a BB gun to make them think twice about coming onto this plot of land. I have two reasons for this..

1) Main reason -Their own protection.
I have large trained (vicious) guard-dogs. Any other animal that finds it's way into my back yard usually winds up dead.

2) Disease and parasites
Strays often have roundworm, hookworm, or tapeworm infestations. When they potty on the grass, they not only drop a few worms, but their eggs as well. The fleas on these animals also carry the eggs. I have a large property with the back half fence with a 6ft chain link. The front yard is where my children play, and often times our pets as well. These worm eggs can survive almost anything until picked up by a host (not webhost :rolleyes: ). A kid can be playing out there, land a hand in a spot where a stray did runny poo a month earlier, and then have the eggs on their hands. They then scratch their eyes, nose lips, etc...now the eggs are inside them. Pretty soon, they have a parasitic worm problem. Same with pets.

So it is all around in mine, my family's, my pet's, and the stray's best interest to learn not to come on my property. A BB gun only causes them temporary discomfort, but makes them unwilling to come back again. It is better than all the other usual situations. Given that, it is not really the stray's fault. It is their previous owners fault. Some people just should not have animals. For every stray and/or stricken animal, there is usually a human to blame for it's situation.. I'm not interested in hurting them, I simply cause them temporary discomfort for the safety of my family, pets, and the stray. There's no reason to go further than that as they generally learn the first time around.

Originally posted by andiegirl

If homeless children came to your yard, would you kill them to? There's really no difference.

No difference? REALLY?????

That's the most asinine comment I've ever heard.

We used to have problems with the male "stray" cats from next door spraying, etc. on our veranda.

A sprinkle of pepper seemed to deter them and stop them from coming over. Doesn't bother humans but annoys the cats; just remember to have another sprinkle if you hose/sweep/etc :)

--Shaun

Get a safe repellent spray for your yard and talk to your neighbours about it. They should be indoors if they intend to keep them, i had a cat who we let outdoors and it got hit by a car, one the the saddest days of my life. Explain it to the owner and if they care, they will understand.

Cats are amazing animals so be nice.

Yes stray cats and dogs are the product of people who do not know better. If more animals were spayed/nuetered and people to better control of their pets, we would have fewer strays and homeless animals. And less work for good pet owners and rescue groups that try better the situation.

Before sending the strays to animal control try a rescue group or humane society first. City animal controls usually do not have the resources to keep the dogs and cats alive very long.

Last year in the united States estimates range from 6-10 MILLION dogs and cats were destroyed. In some cases local animal controls still using ineffective and inhumane techniques that do not prevent pain and suffering.

Whew! that is the most I have ever posted.

I found something interesting a few weeks ago. My mother-in-law had moved to a new house. SHortly after, her German Shepard took off. So we started wearching dog pound sites to find him.

You'd be surprised which locations are kill, and which ones are no-kill. It totally surprised me. I live in The Woodlands between Houston and Conroe Texas. Come to find out, the dog pounds (animal control) of both Houston and Conroe are no-kill. However, the SPCA-Humane Society, etc, are all kill locations.

I would have thought that would be completely opposite.

I am outside of Dallas. Most of our shelter are kill locations. As well as the SCPA and Humane society. Thet just do not have the space and resources to save all the animals. The local Humane society takes in around 200 animals a day during spring and summer.

Both groups do work with local no-kill rescue groups and shelters to save as many lives as possible. Just a reminder that if you want a pet. There are more than enough animals in shelters to find what you want.

I like cats, specially on dinner :)

Bah.. I don't remember what the topics was....

Save the whales... Collect the whole set...

:D...