#31
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ok well the idea is to keep em out ofyour yard ?
sprits em with water let the dogs chase thmm a few times sounds harsh but hey human pee sometimes work by where they came in and hang out |
#32
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I've been dealing with this issue for years, so I hear you. Letting your cat run at large is a bylaw offence here, but few people seem to comply with it, so I am constantly cleaning up after everyone else's cat outdoors and my own indoors. One of my neighbors has 11 of them.
I've tried everything, talking to neighbors, setting out pepper and other recommended spice deterrents, spraying, having my dog escort them out of the yard, on and on. Frankly, nothing works. I finally sent out the word that I was going to be setting up a cat trap, which I did. They are very humane, roomy, effective and there are strict conditions to how and when you can use them. Of course I feel guilty, but after years of this, I decided that if they can't be responsible for their own pets, then perhaps someone else will be if the owner doesn't claim them. I will forewarn you that it doesn't make for the greatest of neighbor relations, but I did give them a head's up, so not sure what more there was to be done. I was going to start collecting poop and return it to the owners' yards after month or three, but never did. lol |
#33
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update
Quote:
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions/thoughts into this situation. I decided to contact a local cat specific rescue in our city and explain what was going on. I was told that the rescue intake was closed until they were able to adopt out 50 cats - however because of my explanation to the serious health concerns of these cats they would be willing to help with vet care, IF the cats were not microchipped and had no ID on them. I knew that before any of this was done, I needed to at least tell the family (again) how unhappy we were about this situation. A week ago we went ahead and left information in the familys mailbox as to the city bylaws and possible fines. Three days later we had a knock on our door and the DH was greeted by our neighbor who was quite upset. Asked us if we had left that information, to which DH replied YES. (I honestly probably would've lied if it had been me, but DH wasn't scared of the guy.) The neighbor told us in some very unkind four letter words to mind our own business and that his cats were fine outside. That is when I stepped in. I explained how much damage to our yard over the past two years had been done, and that it is the LAW for his cats own safety to keep them on his property. Neighbor left in a huff, cats are still outside days later. It's coming on winter, and I am positive these cats will be left outside all day like they were last winter too. (Thus they hide under MY car, and I cannot tell you how many times I've almost hit them pulling out of my driveway.) So anyway, I talked to the rescue again yesterday. They want to send someone out to catch these 'strays' and first take them to the vet to see if the cats are microchipped or have any ID. If not, they will go ahead with the needed vet care (neuter them both, give needed shots after blood work, and check out that missing eye) however I will need to take both cats back with me as they cannot stay at the rescue. An incredible offer, and DH and I are thinking about it. Even if these poor male cats are unable to go to a new home, at least they will be looked after (health-wise) in the meantime. But I cannot keep the cats long-term and will most likely just let them go again in my own backyard, in the territory that they already know as 'home'. Our only hesitation is whether or not to tell the neighbors what has been offered. If they know about it, they may refuse. THe rescue does not look after owner surrendered animals, so basically this has to be done without the neighbors stepping in or asking questions. Also, are we stepping over boundaries by going ahead and doing this?
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#34
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so if they are outside all the time how are they anyones cats?
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#35
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Yeah, this is the thing. For all intents and purposes they are stray cats. My issue lies with the fact that I still know they "belong" to this family...but DH is fairly convinced we need to go through with this, if nothing else to hopefully give these cats a bit of handling. They act quite feral. I don't know if it's just with strangers and they're better with their owners, but I doubt it.
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#36
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I like simple answers.... DO IT! As far as I'm concerned if a cat is out wandering the majority of the day with no id, and is clearly not getting proper veterinary care... well they are abandoned. They are domesticated animals and need human care. They are our responsibility..... oh and find your neighbours a copy of the documentary Cat City.... they sound like they need a good slap in the face.
Good luck.
__________________
Windy~Smoke~Buddy~Palomine~Fagan~Asker~Mickey Blue Eyes Venus “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” -Mahatma Gandhi "We're the renegades, we're the people; With our own philosophies; We change the course of history; Everyday people like you and me"- R A T M |
#37
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Quote:
Even if you do have to release them after, you will have still done a great thing
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Harley & Sophie Sid, Bandit, Mysti & Stan |
#38
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I agree in that IMO any cat that is basically trying to survive on it's own outdoors is up for grabs. If the owners don't care enough to take care of their cats, then someone who does care is free to do so.
__________________
There are only two rules at my house: House rule #1. Cats rule. House rule #2. See rule #1. http://nuriaandthegang.shutterfly.com/ |
#39
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Just be aware that if these cats "disappear" the neighbours are just as likely to go out and get new ones to "replace" them. They don't care. One's the same as the next.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#40
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this! I think my hesitation came from putting myself in their shoes - if someone did anything to my animals without my permission I'd be royally P.O'd. But I keep reminding myself that these people are not looking after their cats which is why we have to step in anyway.
I called the rescue this evening and the two Toms are now in their TNR program, and someone will be meeting with me on Tuesday to look for the cats, catch them, and proceed from there. Quote:
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#41
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and for anyone having issues with cats digging in flower beds and pots and using them as community toilets...
simple solution...works everytime chicken wire! cats hate it cause they catch their nails on it (smarts but shouldn't cause any permant damage) and your flowers and plants can just grow right up throu it. you can lay it on the top of the soil or just push it in a bit if you do not like the look of it. easy peasy no more cat poopies!
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Women are angels, and when someone breaks our wings . . . We simply continue to fly . . .On a broomstick. We are flexible like that. |
#42
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we did it
The two cats have now been neutered, are UTD on their shots, and microchipped.
The first cat with the one eye had to have his flesh reopened due to infected flesh, having not seen the vet the first time. The vet was able to remove a lot of gross stuff and stitch the wound up nicely. The second cat was very close to being feral. Vet guessed his age to be approx. 2 years, and when I released him two days after his neuter surgery, he came out of his kennel and back towards me - got in a few good swipes and bites before flying back over my fence. Of course I was fine, thank dawg I had on my winter jacket, but it was freaky I am not going to lie. He seemed quite happy to be back into his territory, and just this morning I caught sight of him with a dead sparrow. The first cat with the missing eye stayed at the clinic almost a week to ensure that he was healing fine. I explained the situation to the staff and they were fine with 'Jack' staying at the clinic to heal instead of coming home with me. This way I felt much better letting him go yesterday morning. He was much more docile than the second cat, and let me pet and stroke him and feed him a treat before letting him go - and taking a picture of his eye. If nothing else, I hope this stands as a testimony to what happens when people let their cats roam around neighborhoods. Thank goodness this is all that Jack had to deal with, and hopefully now it will heal nicely and without any pain. I will be monitoring his progress and hoping that nothing else happens. (No one came to ask questions about their missing cats, even though Jack was missing for almost an entire week.)
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#43
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Amazing! Well, not so much. That is what people like that are. They just don't care. It's too bad Jack could not have disappeared for good. What a sweetie. Maybe if it looks like no one is looking after him you could arrange with a rescue to have someone foster. He deserves a better life than what he has.
Thank you very much for caring. They will both do much better now.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#44
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Quote:
I will be keeping an eye on them both and am hoping that the rescue will start accepting more cats soon. It's the only reason Jack isn't being fostered now. I actually haven't considered contacting any other dog AND cat rescues to see what they can do, but I think this would be a good idea...you're absolutley right, they certainly deserve and need a better life. :sad:
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#45
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Nah, he was just letting you know he was not a happy camper. I have so many scars on my arms from kitties I figure I will have a map soon. It's all good. I bet in a few weeks he will settle down. Maybe he will turn into another Jupiter and start coming for scritches and pets.
In future you could maybe try a blanket over the carrier. It helps to calm the kitty down. You can then quietly open the door from behind the carrier and step back far enough the kitty won't try to get to you. Let him take his time getting out of the carrier. The more kitties you rescue the more you learn. I am still learning tons with each one.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#46
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Quote:
I will certainly remember that for the future, here's hoping they don't need anymore vet trips...
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#47
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Great job Bailey . It's so sad though that nobody even missed them :sad:.
__________________
"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead |
#48
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I'm so glad you were able to help them. Hopefully the rescue can find some room for them. Stupid owners!
__________________
There are only two rules at my house: House rule #1. Cats rule. House rule #2. See rule #1. http://nuriaandthegang.shutterfly.com/ |
#49
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I hope so too AG. I have now contacted a few other rescues and am waiting to hear back. I'm hoping anyone can get these boys into a foster home.
Thanks Teri. VERY sad that no one missed these boys - I thought for sure they'd be knocking on our door asking if we'd seen "Jack" but nothing. I'd always been under the impression that they let their cats in at night, but now I have serious doubts.
__________________
~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#50
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Glad to hear that they got the vet care they so desparately needed. Lousy cat owners :sad:
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#51
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Missing Black Cat
Hello, I do understand your frustration, I am one of those people who let their cat roam... He is truly an outdoor kitty, and unfortunately we live in the city now and are left with the decision to let him out or not. He would not have it any other way... This is why we are moving back to Nova Scotia, where he can roam the woods and not bother anyone else (though I do not see him doing what you have described) and if anyone ever consulted us about our cats bothering them, it would have taken care of right away!
So, now my cats is missing, i think he may have sensed the upcomming move and maybe on a journey around the area. He has been missing since march 15th and we live in the Edgemont area. He is Black and long haired (fixed of course) is tattooed and we dearly want him back... If he happends to be on eof the cats in your area and or you may have seen him, please feel free to give me a call... (Longshot I will admit, but my heart is ripped in half right now and am willing to try anything) Edited by Admin - Phone numbers only allowed in lost and found - I see you posted there, good luck. Last edited by marko; March 18th, 2010 at 10:21 PM. |
#52
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Quote:
When I lived with my parents the people above me had this huge unfixed nearly feral male, probably 15-20 lbs and not fat at all (let him knock up several females too, what idiots ). He got out in the hallway (or maybe they let him out I dunno) and I tried to go up the stairs without realizing he was out. WOW. He stood in the stairwell and puffed up and hissed and actually came toward me growling and ready to attack. I backed off and he actually followed me growling. When I went back in my apt he was still out there growling like a maniac. I've had encounters with aggressive dogs that scared me much less than him. I've been scratched by FRIENDLY cats when they're freaked out and no way I wanna be scratched by a huge semi-feral cat that actually WANTS To hurt me. |
#53
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Not sure about Calgary, but in Edmonton, if you trap a cat and take it anywhere but the pound, you have effectively stolen their property and can be charged. Just something to think about.
I've had the same issue. Still have it, although not as bad as Bailey. I've hosed the neighbor's cat, used that cat repellant, left baggies of cat poop from my garden on their step, trapped it and taken it to the pound (it was back two days later)....have not found a permanent solution. There is no cure for stupid, and people who let their cats roam will replace the cat with another roamer if theirs gets hit by a car or whatever. Until people start to value cats, I don't see this changing.And as an aside, house cats kill far more songbirds than mice. |
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