Major cat problem in my backyard

[Hector]

I know many of you love cats and have them as your pets.

I don't mind a house cat.

But...

I have a major problem with neighborhood cats...it seems like the entire cat population in the area love to make my backyard home...and frankly...I'm sick of it.

I'm sick and tired of all those alley cats in my backyard...they keep pooping, scratching my patio furniture, urinating on my Mustang tires, leaving fur all over (and I'm highly allergic to cats)...and at night...they keep you awake because they fight with each other...and the sounds are really irritating.

One day...I smelled this funky aroma...and I found out that it was a dead cat in my basement (I don't know how or why he died)...it was putrid...I had to call a specialist to remove the carcass and rid of the horrid smell.

I use to have a little Miniature Pinchser (he passed away about three years ago at 16)...he was only eight pounds...smaller than most cats. So he was basically no solution against cats...they would just ignore him...and in some rare instances...scratch him...and hurt him...I would get so mad...my poor little guy being abused by these tomcats.

Well...my doggie went to dog heaven.

It's been three years since...and I still have the cat problem...but now it's even worse.

I'm seriously considering getting a dog...a bigger dog...but not any dog...the dog that all cats fear...no...not a pitbull...they can't jump (I have areas of my fence as high as eight feet)...cats will just laugh at him from atop the fence.

No...I'm considering THE premier cat snuffer...the Rhodesian Ridgeback...the South African lion hunter...



While a Pitbull will keep cats away on the ground...it can't jump to the top of the fence.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback on the other hand...is a jumper...and has a natural disdain for cats...I pity the poor cat who stays on that fence.

Now...I doubt there are going to be many casualties...I'm sure the cats will disappear...especially if a couple of them go to cat heaven via Mr Ridgeback...but I hope it doesn't come down to that...I'm not a sadist who wants cats dead...I just don't want them in my backyard, that's all.

Unless any of you have any other ideas...I'm getting that dog.

Comments?

[Zemo]

urinating on my Mustang tires

Thats the last straw!
Great choice in dogs, Highly recommend! or I'll rent you Sundance.

[Hector]

Thats the last straw!
Great choice in dogs, Highly recommend! or I'll rent you Sundance.
http://www.deadzoom.com/member/jamie...onths8copy.jpg

Man, Zemo...me and you are like long lost brothers, lol...

That's another choice dog right there!!!

He is a BEAUTY!!!

[Hector]

Oh my God, Zemo...I just noticed you sell cat furniture...

[toys2cool]

That sucks,I use to have the same problem in my moms house a few years back.The fighting noise drives you crazy,it's almost like a singing type thing

[wayne foundation 07]

You might want to try peppermint oil,spray it around where the are.They can't stand the smell and might move on.We can get it from and Amish store close by.I don't know if you've got them where you are.

[Mikey]

This is gunna sound mean and cruel, but i'd shoot them with a BB gun whenever they come around.

Eventally they'll associate your place as a place where they don't want to be.

Just don't let the neighbours catch you doing it because if they report you, it's probably a big fine.

[Hector]

This is gunna sound mean and cruel, but i'd shoot them with a BB gun whenever they come around.

Eventally they'll associate your place as a place where they don't want to be.

Just don't let the neighbours catch you doing it because if they report you, it's probably a big fine.

I couldn't do that...I rather have MR Ridgeback be my muscle.

[Bill]

Are cats too smart to use plastic snakes or owls?
Or, just get a real owl.

[Hector]

You might want to try peppermint oil,spray it around where the are.They can't stand the smell and might move on.We can get it from and Amish store close by.I don't know if you've got them where you are.

Mmm...nice option...I might give that one a try.

Thanks!

[Hector]

Are cats too smart to use plastic snakes or owls?
Or, just get a real owl.

Not a realistic option.

[Vortigern99]

Are these wild, stray cats we're talking about here? If not, you may want to mention to your neighbors that you're thinking of taking extreme measure to get rid of the problem. Any reasonable pet-owner should have their animals spayed/neutered, and/or keep them in at night to avoid annoying the neighbors. If they choose not to bring their animals in at night after you've advised them of the situation, they'll have only themselves to blame if the animals are injured or worse by this cat-mangling pooch you're thinking of getting.

Either way, as an animal-lover (my name is Noah, after all), I would counsel as a preliminary measure either the peppermint spray, as wf07 suggested, or BB guns, as T1K suggested, before resorting to destroying the things with a cat-killing dog. BBs will not really wound the cats, but they will make them think twice before coming back into the area.

You also might want to advise your local animal control service of the problem. They'll likely come and round up the strays if they're compassionate and well-funded, as many such agencies are.

I wish you the best of luck, whatever course you choose.

[Bill]

Not a realistic option.

Yeah, on second thought I'd go all the way and buy a falcon.

Animal Control sounds like a logical solution. Ridgebacks are interesting dogs, but I think they hate everything that fits into their mouth, makes parks or walks a chore.

[Hector]

Are these wild, stray cats we're talking about here? If not, you may want to mention to your neighbors that you're thinking of taking extreme measure to get rid of the problem. Any reasonable pet-owner should have their animals spayed/neutered, and/or keep them in at night to avoid annoying the neighbors. If they choose not to bring their animals in at night after you've advised them of the situation, they'll have only themselves to blame if the animals are injured or worse by this cat-mangling pooch you're thinking of getting.

Either way, as an animal-lover (my name is Noah, after all), I would counsel as a preliminary measure either the peppermint spray, as wf07 suggested, or BB guns, as T1K suggested, before resorting to destroying the things with a cat-killing dog. BBs will not really wound the cats, but they will make them think twice before coming back into the area.

You also might want to advise your local animal control service of the problem. They'll likely come and round up the strays if they're compassionate and well-funded, as many such agencies are.

I wish you the best of luck, whatever course you choose.

Sound advice...and I will consider those options as well, my friend.

To be honest...there's about three cats that I know who they belong too...but the others I have NO idea.

I will talk to the owners of those three cats.

I don't think the Ridgeback will have to kill any...I think the cats will instinctively know better...I think they will stay away.

Thanks again for your advice.

[Zemo]

Oh my God, Zemo...I just noticed you sell cat furniture...

lol yes, I love cats and dogs. Cats can be real cool and I like my dogs to raise them.

Feral adult cats are a differnet animal. They are nuisance and when they are on your property they are nightmare. I would certainly go the dog route. They will vacate. The dog may or may not catch one, but will make them move on for sure and you get a great friend!