| Author |
Message |
    
Ink
Citizen
Username: Pageturner
Post Number: 116
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 1:26 pm: | 
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For the last several months, our neighbor has been doing major construction on their house and since the weather has gotten warm, their cat has taken up residence during the day in our yard - driving our dog crazy, causing havoc around our birdfeeder, etc. The cat is tagged and wears a bell. This neighbor doesn't speak to us, except to occasionally call over and ask if we've seen her cat, and she asks in way that signals: entitlement - no politeness, no friendliness. So - any suggestions about the best way to communicate that the cat isn't welcome in our yard or should we just wait it out til their renovations are done? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1136
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 1:29 pm: |
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It's a cat...what can you really do to stop it? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1137
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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well aside from filing a formal complaint of some sort.
i meant in the sense that once it's outside the owner has no control over where it decides to go. You're acting like they are sending it over there and can just reel it back in when they want. |
Ink
Citizen
Username: Pageturner
Post Number: 117
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 1:53 pm: |
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Glock,
Did you read my whole post? I'm asking for advice from others who have been in this situation. |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 39
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
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Is your yard fenced? Could you let your dog out? Is that what's making your dog crazy? That would solve the problem, but I'm sure you've thought about that. Obviously, don't feed the birds for right now, don't fill the birdbath, don't feed your dog outside. Other than that, you're just gonna have to wait it out. Or, you could take the direct approach and tell your neighbor how you feel. Honesty is the best policy. Just be direct.
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Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 665
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 2:06 pm: |
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Just go out buy yourself a little water gun. Doesn't hurt and gets the point across really fast. I love cats as much as dogs and own one myself. My neighbor is feeding a bunch of strays and they come over my yard. Sometimes there is a fight and let me tell you a watergun works like a charm. By the way I don't mean one of those highpower spray ones. The ones little kids use. |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 41
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 2:11 pm: |
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Naw. Go for the highpowered soakers. They work wonders!! Use a hose on that cat. Hey, it's harmless, won't hurt him, and believe me it'll get the point across when little Felix goes home soaking wet to his mommy,,,he he he he he he he he eh eh. If she says anything, just tell her that you're watering your lawn and you don't know what she's talking about. 
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Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 667
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 2:23 pm: |
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Hey Tux...the cat is not at fault here. It just does what cats do.. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1195
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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watergun or spray bottle should do it. doesn't hurt the cat, just offends it and indicates that your yard is your territory
if the neighbor comments, you can tell her that you want to encourage the cat to stay somewhere else, your yard isn't set up for a cat (bird feeder, dog, etc.), and you don't want the responsibility of having the cat in your yard (or garage, driveway, house)
hope it works out for you! |
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 282
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
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Cats belong indoors 24/7. If your neighbor doesn't care enough about its cat, CONFISCATE IT!
 |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 423
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 4:00 pm: |
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Water does work on cats. You might try to talk to your neighbor first, just let them know you'll be getting a water pistol to use on the cat. Don't think you need to soak it if you don't want things to escalate with your neighbor. Just enough to deter it. |
Hamandeggs
Citizen
Username: Hamandeggs
Post Number: 317
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
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My neighbor's cat moved over and stayed...for years. He's our cat now. Just a thought/warning... |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3617
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 4:51 pm: |
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when a cat comes into my yard, I prefer that it leaves quietly in a trash bag, otherwise I would catch it, take off the collar/tags, and take it to a shelter, or some such place. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 675
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 5:00 pm: |
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Dear Monster...now I know what you need that soap for...so i can wash out your mouth.. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1138
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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catman you are so wrong. Cats started outside...we moved some of them inside...and if they want to go out..pfft let em. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3621
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 5:26 pm: |
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Did you say you wanted to wash my mouth out with soap
 |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5392
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 5:30 pm: |
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I think there is a double standard with cats and dogs. You can't let a dog run loose, why should a cat be allowed to? As I mentioned in another thread, a cat can do just as much damage as a dog. If talking with your neighbor doesn't work, I'd do what Bajou suggested. We use a spray bottle to keep ours from jumping on the mantel and table. I felt guilty at first, but now all she needs to do is see the spray bottle and she thinks twice about jumping on the table. |
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 285
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:11 pm: |
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to you, Glock |
combustion
Citizen
Username: Spontaneous
Post Number: 103
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 1:20 am: |
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Your neighbor has "a" cat that hangs out in your yard? Consider yourself lucky. My neighbor is a local "cat lady." Try living next to approximately 30 cats. The worst part is since a lot of them hang in my yard, some of my other neighbors think they're MY cats. |
K_soze
Citizen
Username: K_soze
Post Number: 391
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 1:25 am: |
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I was gonna respond to this thread but after Monster's post I forgot what the hell it was about |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 44
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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Bajou: Sure, it's not the cat's fault, but the sloth"y" human is at fault. Whaddya gonna do, have a sit down with the cat? The owner is stand-offish, inconsiderate and oblivious to her neighbors. Douse him I say. Cats and water don't mix. Works every time. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 618
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 3:12 pm: |
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catmanjac
This is an oppinion that you have. I highly disagree. Glock is right. Just the Aunt: people are not mauled by cats as they can be by dogs. Most cats run from strangers. Thus it is not a double standard to let cats roam outside and keep dogs on a leash most of the time.
I have 4 cats that go out and come back every day. They go out when they "ask", unless I deem it is too late. If neighbors don't like them, well, no one has told me. Mostly, they prefer to be home, or at least in our yard, pretty much all day. They even watch the birds who feed in our various feeders. The birds are wise, though, and wait til the cats are out of range.
If anyone "confiscated" my pets, I would prosecute them for stealing my personal property.
I knew a guy in the East Villae who had this view that cat owners are irresponsible for letting cats outside, no matter where, no matter what. He'd rouond up any cat he saw and put it in his squatters loft. He usually had 50 cats at a time, and would chuckle that some were so terrified that they would •••• from the rafters rather than come down and join the fray.
You really think a cat who is let outdoors is better off in a shelter, in a cage or with other with hostile cats?
Use a hose to get it out of the yard. Even a little "high" power spray won't hurt it. There's also cat repel stuff to put in the yard.
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catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 310
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 3:17 pm: |
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Indoors is better than outdoors any day of the week. Check with any animal rescue organization, and you will be told the same. When one of yours ends up being a flat cat, you will have learned the hard way. |
teach75
Citizen
Username: Teach75
Post Number: 43
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 12:02 pm: |
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I am sorry if this is a thread drift, but I feel the need to respond to people who are so black and white about cats being outdoors.
I had a cat that refused to stay indoors. We adopted her as a declawed inside cat. She escaped at EVERY given opportunity. She also "acted out" by peeing on everything. We finally decided to let her stay outside and see what would happen. She was a Maine Coon and very hardy. What happened was this: She was a much happier kitty who lived, mostly, in our yard and back porch. She wandered over to the neighbors during the day. She lived to be at least 18-19 years old. (her age was not definite when we adopted her) She died of old age. She stopped "acting out" in the house. I did bring her in during severe weather.
My cats that I have now are inside cats. But I adopted them as kittens and they have been inside since I brought them home. You cannot be so black and white about animals. i.e. if you find a neighbor's outside cat, confiscate it. Aren't there enough strays out there to worry about? I know that I kept a collar and i.d. tags on my cat so that people knew she was mine. She was 3-4 when we adopted her and as I said, refused to be an indoor cat. For all I know, she was an outside cat that someone tried to make an inside cat before I got her. I do know that she had at least 2 owners before me.
That all being said, there is something that you can buy from the petstore that you sprinkle or spray around your property that supposedly keeps cats away. I do not know if it works as I have never tried it. Maybe Pro pets has it? |
teach75
Citizen
Username: Teach75
Post Number: 44
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 12:08 pm: |
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By the way, there was one time that my cat refused to stay on our property because we were temporarily fostering a stray dog that was not friendly. She moved to the neghbor's property across the street. When the dog left, she came home. I was not living at home at the time, but I am pretty sure that my mom communicated with the neighbors about the situation. |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 54
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 8:47 am: |
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As long as a cat has a collar, is licensed and fixed, it's fine to let a cat roam.
However, that being said, responsible pet owners need to know that even though your cat has received proper veterinary care, there are thousands of stray animals in Essex County that are carrying Fel Leuk and Rabies.
If your domesticated pet has a fight with one of these types of animals...well.
I concur with Catmanjac, who is absolutely correct. Indoor cats live longer and have healthier lives. I have four Siamese that are 15+.
There are countless other reasons that indoor cats fare better: traffic, unscrupulous animal testing, cat fights, crazy animals feeders, etc.
Them's just the facts, ma'am.
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Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3769
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 3:38 pm: |
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bullshÁt, it's not okay to let a cat roam, just as it's not okay to let a dog roam
Why just last night I threw a brick at the damn cat that keeps coming in my yard, now I normally would just chase it off as I have done with cats in the past, but this little F$ckin' furball tore up one of my screens on a basement window, and put a couple of holes in the screen on my backdoor, I'm glad I haven't found it's crap in my yard so far.
I'm just sorry that the brick didn't connect, but that's okay, I've got something for it's arse, now if I could just do the same thing to the arsewipes who insist on letting their cat out, and to the wipes who feed the damn things.
I would like to put them on a pike in the middle of town and watch the slow slide as gravity has it's way....
By the way, the cat looks like a younger version of SO Refugee's cat, but I don't remember what kind it is, maybe he can post that for me. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 4:20 pm: |
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When dogs take tiny craps that they themselves cover up, then it will be ok for them to roam too. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3779
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 6:49 pm: |
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tiny craps my cats azz, do you see the size of some of those suckers....
what's even worse is that someone is collecting it and making lipbalm out of it
 |
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 312
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 6:50 pm: |
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MONSTER-- you are a cruel person, and there are laws to protect animals from the likes of you. I could forward your entry to the police. And you had better heed warnings from those who might go above the law to deal with the scum of the earth you obviously are. This is a public forum, and you never know who might be "listening in." |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3782
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 7:46 pm: |
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go ahead, the last time I checked it's not illegal to voice ones opinion, unless you are specifically addressing a particular person or persons in a harassing or threatening manner.
As far as the cat goes, I threw a brick at it (more like in its general direction) to scare it off, and I am sorry it didn't hit it, but I really wasn't trying too, but if it had of by accident, good.
Sometimes I wish a train would hit some people and flatten them, I might even say I wish a train would hit some people on this board and make them resemble road kill", which is okay (not that I would ever say that, it's just an example), but if I were to specifically express those opinions towards you and say,
"I'm going to make catmanjac get hit by a train and resemble road kill", well then that would be something completely different, and no I don't feel that way, it's just an example.
Now back to the thread.... |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9983
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 8:50 pm: |
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catmanjac has been banned for personal attack |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 1264
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 9:40 pm: |
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Thanks for proving my point about the size of cat crap. If it wasn't tiny they'd never be able to fit it in those little lip balm dispensers. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3787
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 9:50 pm: |
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it makes me shudder just to think about it.... |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 1265
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 9:58 pm: |
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It's an acquired taste, no doubt, but I know of no better remedy for chapped lips. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 808
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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i am staying out of this one..LOL....its a first...don't get used to it.... |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3789
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:09 pm: |
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maybe the animal shelter in SO can start selling it to raise money.
http://www.libertymtn.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=18424
then there is this
 |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 627
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:14 pm: |
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Monster, I'm gathering my four cats for a walkie-poo over to your house... |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3791
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:19 pm: |
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thanks dear
 |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 811
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:20 pm: |
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Thats what you need when you look at mem |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3793
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:23 pm: |
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I think |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 56
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:19 am: |
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Catmanjac and Monster are on the same page. They agree that cats should be indoors. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9993
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 5:29 pm: |
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Not totally on the same page. Apparently Mr Catmanjac is contacting the police and the SPCA about the alleged storytelling incident. I don't think catmanjac gets Monster's online persona thing. Monster. It's Monster. Get it? |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3810
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 5:46 pm: |
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WooHoo!!!, what fun and intrigue in Maplewood & South Orange, catch it live here folks, only at MOL.
Well you might catch something at, but that's another story.... |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9995
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 6:00 pm: |
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We are so going to turn you in.
You may want to skip town. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3813
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 6:09 pm: |
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what if I just skip about town instead,
maybe I can play a flute and lead the cats to live indoors with c-man. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3828
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 7:38 pm: |
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I just read this thread to Monster Wife, she was POHTROTFLHAO! |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 23391
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:06 pm: |
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Anyone who wants to mess with the Monst-man has to go through me. And I'm a cat (dog, horse, bird, mouse, etc. etc. etc.) person from waaayyy back. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1603
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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What's that, monster is become the pied piper of South Orange?
I would pay to see him in that outfit!
 |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3837
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 1:12 pm: |
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Get me the outfit, and I'll wear it to Bunnys, after a couple of drinks I may even skip about town in it.
I can't guarantee that any cats will follow me, but I may get a few people following me.... |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1607
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
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You've just thrown down the gauntlet. Can't guarantee when I will have it, but have it I will...
Be assured, the event will be well publicized - I guarantee that too... |
Stephanie N.
Citizen
Username: Stephanie_n
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
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When my mother lived in South Orange about 20 years ago, we adopted two cats that we were determined to be indoor cats. However, those cats were determined to be outdoor cats and shot out the door at any given chance. We were lucky in that they returned home every night, except for a couple of times they stayted out overnight. There was also a time when one of them was out for about a week, and we were really worried we wouldn't see him again - but we ended up finding him in the neighbor's bushes looking really frightened.
So, until a few years ago, I felt that it was okay to leave cats out. But I changed by mind after reading an aricle in a NJ Audobon publication, citing the horrible impact on wildlife that outdoor cats have -
http://www.njaudubon.org/Conservation/CatsIndoors/ - amongst other things, I believe there are some species of birds that have been brought to near extinction because of the outdoor cat population.
Someone once told me that they figured it was okay for cats to hunt, since it is all part of the food chain. To me though, that is the equivlant of someone hunting down their neighbor's dog for dinner. Domestic animals really don't have any place in the natural food chain.
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Irvington Pirate
Citizen
Username: Irvingtonpirate
Post Number: 75
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 6:40 pm: |
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Growing up we had a neighbor with a "cat problem". Now, we also had cats (as well as a dog and a whole host of small creatures and birds) as pets but they were inside cats. Other neighbors also had outdoor cats but they were never a problem.
This one particular neighbor however decided that it was her life's mission to feed every stray cat she ever came in contact with. This was fine and a noble thing to do. However, these same cats also thought it was their life's mission to crap in our yard two houses down, the cat lady also didn't seem to have a problem with this setup. However this didn't sit too well with my parents and they certainly had a problem with it.
To fix the problem my dad went to the town and got cat traps. Your town may also offer this option. When a cat was caught the town came and got it. Needless to say, the cat lady wasn't happy about this and would literally walk up and down the sidewalk in front of our house crying that "her" cat was trapped. Now, you have to remember these cats were strays, were never indoor cats and were nasty (hissing and clawing at anyone, even the cat lady who fed them, you couldn't pick them up or pet them). My dad always told this woman that if the cats were indeed her pets she was welcome to come down to our yard and take them out of the trap. The woman was obviously nuts but not stupid and never dared to reach into any of the traps to retrieve any of the cats.
We had one neighbor that did have a cat that would occasionally stop by for a snack and get caught in the trap. However, we all knew where Smokey lived and that Smokey was very friendly (and loved whatever my mom baited the traps with). Smokey was always returned home and the neighbors were always apologetic. My parents totally understood the situation plus Smokey wasn't using our yard as his private bathroom either, these neighbors would never have let that happen. These people actually lived right next door to the cat lady (four houses down) and were thrilled when my dad got the trap.
If the uncaring neighbor with the wandering cat continues to be uncaring about where the cat goes you may want to look into getting a trap. Obviously, at least at first anyway, you wouldn't call the town to come get the cat. However, you could let the cat stay in the trap until the neighbor realized that Fluffy was missing and let him come retrive his furry friend. I'm sure after the cat gets caught in the trap enough times the neighbor (or at least the cat) will learn that this behavior is unacceptable and that this property isn't the place to be trespassing. If it gets totally out of control though then turn the cat over to the town and let the neighbor go to the shelter to pick him up.
Cats, like dogs, need to be licensed. See if your neighbor's cat has a license. Pets also need to be watched. A cat or dog can certainly go outside but should either be on a lease or in a fenced yard.
Good luck.} |
Ink
Citizen
Username: Pageturner
Post Number: 124
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 7:18 pm: |
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thanks for all the great suggestions. i have a filled water gun poised for action, but interestingly, the cat has been nowhere in sight. could the owner possibly read MOL? |
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