feral, stray cats (Aust)

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Monique - 22 Aug 2007 08:36 GMT

Hiya,

My place has started being frequented by feral/stray cats [and
possums] lately, even to the extent that they are coming in the window/
s that are open for *my* cats. Of course they come to eat my cats
food.

As there are at least four of these cats hanging around the area,
( encouraged my other neighbour who feeds these animals, but doesn't
have any of her own,) I am wondering how I can go about a)
discouraging them from entering my place, or b) basically getting rid
of them.

I have tried closing the windows to prevent access to these animals,
but that doesn't allow my 5 to go in and out, without waking me up
several times a night.

I have thought of a cat flap, but I don't think the landlord would
appreciate it, and it really wouldn't solve anything - just give them
another entry point.

Who would I contact about hiring/getting a cat/possum trap? The local
council, RSPCA or the what ya call ems?...wildlife people...(having a
seniors moment :s)

I am in Tasmania, Australia, so the laws or regulations might be
different.

tia
M&m

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Ted Davis - 22 Aug 2007 15:40 GMT

> Hiya,
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> I am in Tasmania, Australia, so the laws or regulations might be
> different.

This is by no means a sure thing, but when I possum-proofed my cat flap,
the ferals, as well as the possums an coons, quit coming in.

I don't know if your possums can leap, and this concept is based on the
fact that American possums and raccoons can't: put the cat flap just above
a shelf that has no part within about a meter of any where a varment can
stand. In your case, I would suggest that you use the window as a place
to put a board of some sort with a cat flap in it and shelves on both
sides - it could be made to fit over the window sill and brace against the
wall on both sides (the landlord should't object to that since it doesn't
require any nail holes or other modification to anything. It would be
necessary to provide the cats with a launch/landing place about a meter
from the edge of the shelf (up, down, diagonal, lateral). All but the
most feeble of my fifteen cats manages mine easily.

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T.E.D. (tdavis@umr.edu)

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Monique - 22 Aug 2007 22:05 GMT

> > Hiya,
>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> --
> T.E.D. (tda...@umr.edu)

Oh yeah, Australian possums can leap. From a standing start on the
ground I've seen them leap a metre and a half up a tree. The one that
was inside the other night lept AT me from the top of a wardrobe, and
given the stories I have heard about them ripping people up fairly
badly, I don't want this to continue happening.

The possums are the least worrisome though, I am pretty sure they are
exploring or looking for food. The cats are sneakier, definately after
food, and not nocturnal like the possums. I've been catching glimpses
of them streaking around corners as I move around the house. When I
check the freshly-filled-with-none-of-my-cats-around-bowls they are
always empty. I just got rid of five cats in various ways (rehomed, or
owner moved) and I have no inclination to adopt/feed another four.

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Ted Davis - 23 Aug 2007 02:19 GMT

>> > Hiya,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
> always empty. I just got rid of five cats in various ways (rehomed, or
> owner moved) and I have no inclination to adopt/feed another four.

A cat flap in the window might be worth trying, but four cats are a lot
smarter than one or two, so the failure of the one feral that was hanging
around here to get in is no indication that one of your four might figure
it out and teach the others.

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T.E.D. (tdavis@umr.edu)

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