Can I get rid of neighborhood cats?

Question

I wake to cat poop in yard, cat paw prints up and down my cars and the ocassional "dude I ate something bad from your garbage so here my vomit" right near my front door. Not to mention the frequent cat battles right outside my wondow. waking me at all hours of the night. I have asked my neighbors whose cats these are (there are three). No one knows and everybody claims they are not theirs, though I DO see cat dishes outside their doors. The cats have no tags and they litter the neighborhood with kittens. Really nice finding road kill kittens in front of my house (sarcasm) when Im walking my kids to school. I have a house cat and dont like him mixing with these outdoor monstrosities. So if they belong to "noone" can I catch them and turn them over to the SPCA?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

If no one is willing to claim them or accept responsibility for them, and they are on your property,  these cats are yours to do with as you wish. Don't be surprised if you get some nasty comments though.

Kia Koala Victorino (8) · Answer

Considering you have already asked your neighbors if they own these cats and they have denied it, I would definitely either take them to the SPCA or call the shelter and have them come and collect them.  I drove over 2 dead cats on my way to work today, I am in 100% agreement about how big of a nuisance outside cats are.  Its mostly strays, but its also people who just are too lazy or delusional and feel cats "need" to be outside.  I would get rid of them asap.

Winter Orchid · Answer

I know what you mean.
There are a lot of stray cats, and people have a habit of leaving food out for them. This encourages them to keep coming back and the subsequent mess and things you described.

You could catch them but you will need lots of baskets and somewhere to keep them (out of your house) until they are collected as they will be infested with fleas.
Probably best if you allowed the authorities to arrange trapping them and removing them from the area.

daldobie · Answer

Unfortunately, if you remove these cats, more abandoned pets and ferals will move in to take their place. The most humane solution to cat overpopulation is TNR (Trap, neuter, return):

http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/animal-rescuers/trap-neuter-return.html

Perhaps you can get a group of the cat-feeders in your neighborhood together to help sterilize the truly feral cats and take the friendly ones to the shelter.

Bill L · Answer

Yes.. You catch them and either take them or call your local shelter..


bl

? · Answer

yup

Nina · Answer

killlllllllll the beast.. lol, im only joking! ;-)

Trending News

Can I get rid of neighborhood cats?

7 Answers