We are having issues with stray cats in the neighborhood, and I'm trying to figure out what to do....please read. ;)
We have an outdoor cat. She started hanging around our house a couple of years ago, and we adopted her. I'm having trouble now with another cat that is constantly stealing her food. It's not a "nice" cat and will basically barge in and take whatever she has, and she always retreats to a safe place. I do NOT want another cat, but I'm not sure what to do about the new one. There are a couple of other feral cats and at least one possum roaming about, so if I'm not careful, I'll end up feeding the neighborhood and attracting more, plus encouraging breeding. I have considered bringing her in, but she is flighty and frightened by my son's noises, and he is scared of her. Plus he has allergies. Being outdoors is what everyone likes best. But I'm just not sure what to do about this stray. Animal control has come to mind, but I hate to do that. Can't blame the thing for being hungry, and I know it'll be put down. Any ideas?
9 Answers to "We are having issues with stray cats in the neighborhood, and I'm trying to figure out what to do....please read. ;)"
Posted by redneck123 Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:20PM
just shoot it
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Reply by peaceloveandfairydust Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:21PM
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Reply by Vessa Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:23PM
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Posted by littlemonkeydoodle Jun 22nd, 2012 at 12:50AM
Talk to the neighbors and find out if the kitty has a home. Also what makes you so sure your cat doesn't do the same? Cats in our neighborhood make the rounds. If you don't want to feed the neighbor cats then bring your cat in for meals or sit with him while he eats. We just feed our cats just enough for them for one meal.
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Posted by LonexWolf Jun 21st, 2012 at 10:37PM
Some animals calm down when neutered (and that prevents them from bringing more homeless kitties into the world). Neutering her may help, or maybe there's a no-kill shelter near you if you think she is tamable.
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Posted by DozerDan Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:49PM
The classic .22 is fine for cats. If you aren't good at aiming, a 20 gage works too.
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Posted by wuliheron Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:29PM
I have a friend of mine who feeds over a hundred stray cats in his back yard. He neuters them himself and treats them all for feline leukemia which is contagious and quite common. Cats are territorial and will routinely wander into the territory of other cats looking for better pickings. Calling animal control might get rid of the immediate competition, but it won't solve the problem. Putting out extra food bowls will attract more cats looking for better pickings.
You need to figure out some alternative strategy. An enclosed space like a porch with a door would be best. Feed the cat there, then sweep it out the door when it is done.
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Reply by Vessa Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:34PM
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Posted by CMA1234 Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:28PM
Call ASPCA
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Reply by Vessa Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:29PM
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Reply by CMA1234 Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:34PM
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Posted by Pumpkinseeds Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:23PM
The only option I can think of is for you to tame your pet. Won't animal control take them in and train them to be pets or do they just put them down?
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Reply by Vessa Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:27PM
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Posted by TishtaBisch Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:21PM
Stop feeding her. She'll go back to eating whatever she used to eat before, and so will the other cat.
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Reply by Vessa Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:22PM
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Reply by TishtaBisch Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:28PM
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Posted by artbandit Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:19PM
get an outdoors dog.
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Reply by Vessa Jun 21st, 2012 at 9:20PM
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