Click here for CATS & GARDENERS SHOULD BE FRIENDS (by Sally Cunningham)
Click here for KEEPING CATS OUT OF GARDENS AND YARDS BROCHURE
Community cats (also called feral or stray or street cat) sometimes cause disputes between neighbors. What many people don’t realize is that these disputes can be resolved without resorting to legal means or killing of the cats. As with most disputes, it is important to look at both sides of the issue. The cats are creating a legitimate nuisance: eliminating in gardens, yowling at night, spraying smelly urine.
Complainants have not bonded with the cats and they value their property tremendously. They may not have heard about TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return), and may not realize that simply removing the cats will not solve the problem (since more cats will come). They may not realize that resources are out there to help keep cats off their property.
Feral and free-roaming cat caregivers can alleviate most nuisance behaviors simply by spaying or neutering the cats. No more smelly male urine, no more late-night howling, no more kittens! Even then some people just don’t want cats on their property. For these people, there are a number of humane cat-deterrent products they can try.
TOP CAT-DETERRENT PRODUCTS
Whether you’re a community cat caregiver or a neighbor looking for ways to keep cats out of your yard, the following are some great ideas and solutions. For more cat-deterrent products and suggestions visit:
CatStop Ultrasonic
Cat Deterrent
Available at Amazon.com…
ScareCrow Motion-Activated Animal Deterrent
Available at Amazon.com…
Shop at AmazonSmile and Amazon will make donation to Feral Cat FOCUS
MAKE OUTDOOR LITTERBOX
An outdoor litter box will reduce the cat’s urge to fertilize the neighbor’s flower garden. Cats love loose and sandy areas for their bathroom stops. An outdoor litter box sandbox will tend to be an attractive place for cats to do their thing. The cats will enjoy digging in the fine sand and will shift to using it.
Make sure a cover is provided or create a make shift structure to keep rain and snow out of the litter box. It must be cleaned and changed frequently, just as an indoor litter box.
Take a very large plastic container or a kiddie swimming pool and fill it with regular “kiddie sand box” sand. If you can, put a couple of pieces of the cats’ poop in it to attract them.
If you want to be extra neat, use a large Rubbermaid storage tote for the box. Fill the bottom with several inches of sand. Then cut a door in one of the sides, above sand level and approximately 8 x 8 inches. Keep the container covered. To be even neater, take the Rubbermaid storage container, turn it upside down and cut a hole in the side. Place a normal litter box with regular litter inside the container.