Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

to think there are too many cats in the city and people should THINK before getting one?

91 replies

phlossie · 11/10/2011 16:16

Disclaimer: 1. I like cats 2. I would never really do a cat any harm (but I can fantasise...)

I live in a city suburb in a terraced house on a street lined on either side with terraced houses, and our row of terraces backs onto another similar row - and it's like this for miles. When we moved in, we have gravel in our garden, which we (well dh) laboured to remove and replace with soil and then turf. Why? Because the gravel was a cat litter tray.

Problem is, the cats now shit on our grass. In plain sight. Unburied. I can't let the children go outside without clearing it up first, and I can't put our guinea pigs on the grass. I'm pregnant, so less keen on cat poo than ever (actually made me puke the other week). It makes me really angry!

Now dog poo on the pavement is disguisting, but that's down to the owners. And all other animals live within their owner's houses and gardens, but cats wander - and they like pooing in other people's gardens.

We've tried the usual deterrants - my DH even went through a phase of peeing in the garden himself! But I find myself wanting to shoot them with a pellet gun, or put down broken glass (I wouldn't, don't call the RSPCA).

I effing hate them. They ruin our garden. And I think people who get a cat when every other fecker in the street has one are thoughtless. I've even heard cat owners say 'ha, well they don't poo in our garden - they go next door!' Bastards!

Unreasonable, me? No.

BTW - if you have any good ideas about how to deter them, please tell me.

OP posts:

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 18:54

Do you want me to drawn them a picture of the place in the garden?

Maybe like a treasure map with x marking the spot?

Serioulsy though - genuinely seriously - how should I let them know where in my garden they should confine thier pooing too?

DogsBeastFiend · 11/10/2011 18:54

jaggy, glad you understand - though I never mentioned laughing, I said that I don't give a toss. Sorry you don't see the relevance, better luck next time, eh?

Ormirian · 11/10/2011 18:55

BTW, no I don't think it's that funny if it upsets you.

My cats of course only shit lavender bags. In case you were wondering...

jaggythistle · 11/10/2011 18:56

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 18:57

I dont think its fuinny either - not sure why I am being accused of that. i do give a toss - but its like giving a toss that its raining - i may agree its a problem but i cant actually do anything about it. Never had any complaints from my neighbours but i wouldnt laugh if i did

jaggythistle · 11/10/2011 19:05

Well your 'amusing chat' about cat nappies and having a word with the wildlife wasn't actually that sympathetic.

Just because 'that's what cats do', doesn't mean people should just not care.

Wurg · 11/10/2011 19:13

Do you think it would be a reasonable request if your neighbour was upset about it and asked you to buy a cat scarer like this - would you?

I've been told that they're harmless and can be really effective, but I think as a goodwill gesture it should be the cat-owning neighbour that should cover the cost. Would you consider it, Catgirl?

Genuinely interested in your opinion as I was considering approaching my neighbours with this solution.

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 19:21

ok - i care loads. but i still don't know what anyone can do?

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 19:23

Wurg I would be amenabel to chipping in. I say chipping in as there are loads of cats on my street - most households seem to have one so if there was a "non cat" house getting a problem with poo an my neighbour asked i woul be pretty open to it, although in my case i would want other neighbours to contribute too. If I was the only cat owner within a couple of houses, yes I would cover the cost

Whatmeworry · 11/10/2011 19:24

We haven't had a good cat shit thread for a few weeks now. Anyway, its a First World Problem.

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 19:27

Also Wurg - I owuld much rather pay out £30 to try and resolve the problem for my neighbour than run the risk of them doing something that might harm my cat, so yes - if they asked and my cats were causing a problem I would pay for the scarer. Not sure how effective they are but if my neighbour wanted to try it then yes.

Tchootnika · 11/10/2011 19:29

Has anyone mentioned the plight of poor wee sparras yet?

MissBetsyTrotwood · 11/10/2011 19:30

It's gross, I have to agree there, OP.

And I don't think it's OK to be all hilariously sarcastic about it either as it's something that makes many people's small, precious green spaces in the city quite unpleasant. In the past few months we've had large sections of planting and seedlings dug up and disrupted and the smell in the parts of the garden my neighbour's cats choose to use as a toilet is awful.

But I have to agree with Ormirian that it is part of living in a city, along with all the other antisocial stuff that goes on. And because we get on well with our neighbours and realise that there is very little to be done about it, we'll continue to put up with it.

We're looking for a rescue greyhound and are having a bit of a job at the moment finding one who is cat friendly. But we will only settle for one who is, because, much as I hate the cat shit, I don't hate the cat and I adore my neighbour.

princessnumber2 · 11/10/2011 20:59

I have a small garden on a small city street (less than 50 houses). There are about 25-30 cats on the street, TEN of which live next door to me. I'm disabled and currently 8 months pregnant. I used to enjoy my garden with my children but can't anymore as there are piles and piles of cat poo everywhere.

There are also piles of cat sick all over my garden furniture as they sit on my garden table and puke on the table and chairs.

I can't actually clean it up myself because of my disability - nor do I see why I should. I actually can't really understand the people who say 'just deal with it'. If I threw loads of poo and vomit into someone's garden and told them to just clear it up, I would expect them to be annoyed.

I've bought all the cat deterrents available (at hundreds of pounds of expense) and nothing works. I can't get out of the house easily and I'm desperate to be outside with my children. It's very sad that people dismiss this as not a 'real problem' - but then most anti-social people can't recognise the impact they have on others. Of course you can't stop an animal crapping wherever it wants to but you could be responsible and think about the wider impact of owning pets before you get them.

So I think YA (definitely) NBU

Nevertooearlyforcake · 11/10/2011 21:50

If my cat smelled pee, he'd probably spray everywhere to cover it up. Leaving the poo uncovered is usually a territorial thing, I thought it was only the alpha cat that would so that. As I understand it, cats cover poo because they know they're not top dog (groan) in the household (the cat owner is viewed as bigger and boss) and it's a submissive gesture. However, could be talking bollocks. Don't have anything useful to add, sorry, but am surprised by the uncover thing, have never seen my cat do that.

apachepony · 11/10/2011 22:57

Our neighbour has mentioned cat poo to us and
i do feel bad about it - he doesn't have kids but is very garden proud. We did offer to buy deterrant (which we use in own small plot when we have justed planted bulbs - also have an unused dirt section which I thought they used). He didn't take us up on the offer and i think is relying on throwing water/shouting - though his efforts are being impeded by his partner who has a bit of a soft spot for cats...

Flip

1 2 3 4