How to get rid of Stray cats

scwazrh

My mother in law is having major problems with stray cats around her house and in her gardens.she lives in a small housing estate and we are pretty sure some of the neighbours are feeding strays. We have asked them to stop but the cats keep coming.can anyone suggest how I can stop strays coming into and littering on the boundary walls and in the gardens .I know the obvious is get a dog but she doesn't want a dog destroying the garden either , thanks all

Pumpkinseeds

Get in touch with Feral Cats Ireland, you'll find them on Facebook,and see if they can recommend someone in your area who might be able to help. The poor cats are just trying to survive and they often have a miserable existence. Strays are a man made problem. I can't imagine being homeless, starving, frightened and helpless with noone giving a crap about me, can you?

Irish Stones

I guess that Irish laws are different than ours.
Over here a group of cats that settle their home in a yard or a field or wherever cannot be touched or moved. Cats are protected here and they can be moved to a different location only if there's a situation that could harmful to them, like the construction of new building or major works on that area.
I think that the only thing your mother in law can do is using a deterrent. In another thread a few days ago someone wrote about some kind of powder that should keep cats away.

fatmammycat

I love cats, but the problem with feral cats is when they are left to breed unchecked numbers rise rapidly. In this situation, you might try get in touch with Feral Cat Ireland, http://feralcatsireland.org/Feral_Cats/Feral_Cat_News.html and discuss a trap and neuter plan. A stable colony of cats will hold territory for years. Removing the cats does nothing really as the space will soon be taken up again with a new actively breeding colony.

If the garden is a priority- and I understand how unpleasant it can be to have stray cats in a garden- you could look into adding brackets and mesh to the top of the garden walls to keep the cats out. It's not terribly expensive and works well. Best of luck.

Demonique

Precision nuclear strike?


I think you might be able to get a product to put down to dissuade stray cats from coming around


I think there might also be devices that emit high-frequency sounds that cats can hear and dont like, but humans can't hear

Pumpkinseeds

Irish Stones wrote: »

I guess that Irish laws are different than ours.
Over here a group of cats that settle their home in a yard or a field or wherever cannot be touched or moved. Cats are protected here and they can be moved to a different location only if there's a situation that could harmful to them, like the construction of new building or major works on that area.
I think that the only thing your mother in law can do is using a deterrent. In another thread a few days ago someone wrote about some kind of powder that should keep cats away.

Oh how I wish we had that same law in Ireland. The cruelty to and indifferent attitude of so many people towards cats is unbelievable. Thankfully there are good people operating cat rescues and more are helping with the welfare of Feral cats.

scwazrh

Thanks for the suggestions.
The cats being there are not the problem , its them pooing everywhere that is an issue.Its in flowerbeds , on the door step even along the top of all the low boundary walls.There is so many kids playing around the area , including my own, and its just not safe when there is cat poo everywhere.

My mother in law contacted the DSPCA who suggested someone , who suggested someone else who gave her a number of someone that traps cats. When she rang that person they wanted €50 per cat caught and €20 per kitten .Fair enough someone needs to be paid to do it but I reckon we have at least 10 - 15 cats and who knows how many kittens in the area so paying that sort of money isn't an option.

Going from what you guys are mentioning I think we need a solution to keep them out of the garden more so than get rid of them from the area.Ill try and find some of the powders or sprays that have been mentioned and let you all know how we get on.Thanks

Pumpkinseeds

It might be worth getting in touch with Cats Aid in Dublin. They do great work and unless the cats are neutered/spayed the problem will only get worse and the cats are more at risk of disease.

zef

Hi, I'm suprised that anyone would be charging for this service, it sounds a bit suspicious to me if you don't mind me saying.
Have you tried ringing Cats Aid? They are very good, dedicated cat lovers, although a bit over-subscribed atm, might be able to help, sure its worth the ph call or email. (www.catsaid.ie is their site)
Anecdotally I have heard cats don't like citrus, so something like citronella essential oil (essential oils are much cheaper on ebay btw) or simple orange / lemon peels about the place may help.
I have heard about the sound emitted a previous poster mentioned, they can be pricey and if there are other animals living with their owners nearby they might be distressed by it too.

excaliburhc

would recommend feral cats ireland also
http://feralcatsireland.org/Feral_Cats/Feral_Cat_News.html

they are awesome in how they deal with cats.

massive respect for them in dealing with the issue correctly .

sept09baby

All of these organisations rely on donations and TNR is an expensive business. The vet fees for neutering and blood tests (to eliminate disease) will cost a lot more than is being asked for.

It really is the best long term solution for stray cats. As well as cat proofing the garden it might be an idea to contact the neighbours. If everyone chipped in you could get a TNR programme growing and it would stop the stray cat population in the area growing out of control

loveisdivine

zef wrote: »

Hi, I'm suprised that anyone would be charging for this service, it sounds a bit suspicious to me if you don't mind me saying.
.

How is it suspicious? Who do you think is going to pay for the cat to be neutered, other than the people asking for it to be?

Its not suspicious at all, so dont let that put you off OP. With so many in the area its probably going to be a case of spaying the females
as and when you can. In the meantime try the cat enlsoure systems that will keep them out, or there are various powders and such you can try.

I know its horrible having poop around, but these cats are just trying to survive. Humans created this problem.

DMD72

I am absolutely tortured by stray cats.. they climb in my open windows(found one under my bed one night...scared the absolute crap outta me) , they have my outdoor furniture ruined and poo all over the garden. I have tried all sorts to keep them out. The sonic yoke cost me 20stgs in argos....doesn't work! I have the spiky sheet on the furniture which they seem to be able to move and ly in around it. I have sprayed all sorts of repellent but they keep coming!! Anyone on here Monaghan based can help me out?