what do you do with a neighbors cat.

[RoostersCrow]

Quote:
And in the meantime, you're increasing both birth rate and disease transmission.

People have wiped out whole species before, so I wonder why we stop ourselves when it comes to animals who don't belong in the wild in the first place. I do not understand why it is okay for cats to be outdoors unsupervised, when most responsible owners would never dream of allowing the same freedom to other pet species.

It's not "okay". It's just a fact of life that we have to deal with.

There was a HUGE feral cat problem when my SO and I moved here. We do not trap, neuter, and release, but it took only a few months to make this place cat free, and the few stragglers that may find their way here in the future can be easily dealt with.

The efficacy of SNR vs. eradication varies depending on factors like the isolation of the feral colony. Most colonies are not very isolated -- so you get migration when you start killing the population. A few colonies ARE isolated -- like, for instance, if people start dumping cats at an isolated farmstead. In those cases, eradication may be feasible.

Neighbor's cats are tricky, though, because I do not like the idea of depriving someone of their pet. I find that outdoor cats usually become indoor cats very quickly when I tell neighbors in a friendly and open way they are free to shoot my dogs if they appear on their property, and I will extend the same courtesy to their cats.

Depending on your location, you may be breaking several laws. Hope that your neighbors don't turn you in.​

Laws can be in error. There are times when the correct course may not be the "legal" course.​

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I wonder what has happened with the original poster, "rrrsmom" in Salt Lake City, UT? She started this topic by wondering what to do with a cat she didn't want around her chickens & chicks. She was concerned that it might belong to a neighbor and didn't want to upset or inconvenience them by trapping it & taking it to the pound. But she also did not want a cat in her chicken coop.

Are you still there, rrrsmom? Have those chicks grown to maturity by now, the cat died of old age?

There's obviously lots of strong & varying opinions on the subject of cats, both pets & feral. It's been interesting to gain insight as to why certain individuals have arrived at their point of view, the rationale they use in pursuing their course of action. It hasn't altered my own opinion, but it's been enlightening to hear more from others whose opinions differ.

It seems that for every cat someone knows who loves/fears/respects chickens, keeps the coops free of rodents and substitutes in a pinch for broody hens there is another who kills chicks for food & sport, digs & poops in the gardens and infects pet cats with disease & vermin.

So, rrrsmom, if you still care about this, stand firm in your decision as to what you'll do about that cat in your yard. If you don't want it, talk to your neighbors & tell them to keep their pets out of your yard unless they want them to go to the pound. If you decide it's not being a problem, get out a saucer of cream for it.

For the rest of us, let's agree to disagree and go on our ways with a little more insight into a different point of view. Let's do what we must within our own properties, respecting the laws of nature & of man, following our own conscience as to what seems right without infringing on the rights of our neighbors.