The Neighbours Cat.

[MountainPeaks]

Looking for some humane suggestions to keep the neighbours cat out of our property. I have a allergy to cats so I can't pick it up and take it back to them (DP has done this a couple of times).

We brought a "doer upper" and we've been living in it, in various states of disarray for the last few months. We can't have any of the windows open without us physically being in the room because without fail that neighbours cat comes in and pees, or poops, in our house. We had just redone a bedroom floor sanded, walls replastered, electrics all fixed up and as we had repainted we had the windows open. Went for lunch and the cat came in a peed on the sanded floors. Just one example to highlight the frustration.

We have a trampoline in the garden which was originally uncovered. Cat pooped on it regularly. We've now brought a cover - cat still poops on it regularly.

Most nights it starts fighting and it goes on for several hours - like 2 or 3. It sits on the wall at the end of our back garden. Sounds like someone is being murdered.

It's regularly decimating our bird feeders, it leaves dead things, semi-dead things, partially injured things all around our back patio.

The neighbours don't have a cat flap because "if the cat comes in it just pees on the floor". They feed the cat outside. The cat stays out the entire time. We've tried to talk to them and their attitude is along the lines of "well the cat was hear before you were and your house has been empty for years".

What's the best way to deal with it (the cat and the owners)? I don't want anything that will harm the cat - even though I don't like them. DP has taken the cat around to owners when we've caught it in the house. We've suggested a cat flap to them and litter tray. We've asked that they put a bell collar on it to give warning to the birds. We don't want to fall out with the neighbours but we are fed up with it. Also TTC and I don't want to be cleaning up anymore pet poop than I need to (ie. my dog).

But seriously, OP, do you honestly think that it's the job of the CPL, a charity for animals supported by donations from the public, to resolve what is essentially a dispute with your neighbour?

I mean, I get it, I really do. Our neighbour has a massive Maine Coon tom cat who terrorises one of my elderly cats and she came crashing through the cat flap trailing blood the other week. But I spray him with water every time I see him and I'm talking to his owner about how to resolve it. No way would I catch him and take him to an animal rescue to sort it out. You're at risk of making a complete fool of yourself.

"to resolve what is essentially a dispute with your neighbour?" We our not in dispute with our neighbours - they just don't look after their damn cat which is causing issues for us.

CPL are more than happy to help - we've just spoken to them and have now come up with a way to proceed (via the council - thanks to whoever suggested that). They also said that as we'd contacted the RSPCA they would probably come around and check the cat and it's surroundings.

That's a great outcome.

I'm relieved to know they wouldn't neuter someone else's cat without their permission!

Surburban It's a good outcome for us and the cat. Not entirely sure the owners are going to like be contacted by CPL, the council and possibly the RSPCA.

The CPL did tell us that as a minimum cats should have access to an indoor litter tray, food and water, and warm shelter.

I had a similar situation, I adopted the cat. Got him nuetered, fed him and he became a great pet but as you are allergic that's not going to happen.

Rehome him. If he isn't nuetered then cat protection league will do it.

If he isn't nuetered then cat protection league will do it. Have you read all the posts on this?

I think they actually may in this case after our conversation today - but I am not sure it's what they would normally do.

OP would you be able to let us know how this resolves itself?

I've supported the CPL for years and would be very disappointed if it turns out they are happy to hand cats over to a vet for neutering (being an animal welfare charity, they do not perform veterinary procedures themselves) without the consent of the owner.

Good news OP 👍

I'm not sure how humane this is but I read on here I think that cats will remember getting frightened and be reluctant to return. I think that's the principle of turning a hose pipe on them (I have done this to a neighbours relentless shitting machine of a cat). Perhaps you could record an angry and loud dog bark and play it on loud when the cat comes in your house?

Surburban - Yes no problem. They also told us they don't have vets onsite (which I didn't fully understand).

Yoarchie - Yes - according to the CPL the "most likely" reason the cat is still coming is because it is looking for a place of safety and shelter.

You don't need to encourage your dog to chase the cat at all. Let him out into the garden more and the cat will stop coming. He may bark at it as he will see the garden as his territory but if he's as well trained as you say, he won't chase it. There are so many assumptions about this cat it's ridiculous.

I have a chasey puppy and the cats haven't been put off so all the dog advice isn't foolproof.

sj257 What assumptions have I made about the cat?

Already stated the reasons I don't want the dog interacting / reacting to the cat several times.

I think the reason CPL doesn't have a vet onsite that they're primarily a rescue centre and as a charity, they're dependant on donations. If they were to pay a vet's salary it would probably wipe out all those donations in one go.

I've known them to pay for neutering for a family on benefits that I was supporting in my job, but the cat went directly to the vet and the CPL was sent the bill.

Surburban Yes- I am fully onboard with them not having a vet onsite - our local vet is excellent and her surgery is the one that that the dog rescue centre uses and I suspect (although am not entirely sure) that they also do the CPL work.

CPL said that they had been out at the request of the council on several occasions for the feral cats - hence why this one was known to them and they had already had previous contact with the owners.

We back onto a cemetery and large park land so ideal for populations of cats to be pretty undisturbed at night probably.

OP, I'm glad you've been able to get some helpful and legitimate advice feom CPL. Do keep us updated , cats are a horrendous nuisance in lots of places and would be useful to know how to deal with them.

If you say you know who the owners are they won't treat it. Do what we have done (twice) with local intact Toms, take to vet as a stray and they will chop their furry little bollocks off. BUT - you will have to pay. (We let one back out when he was healed and to this day his owner has not realised. Found a new owner for the other one. No regrets, both cats living longer and happier than they would have done)

Pinkswim No, actually a dog person with no cats who is pissed off about the number of semi feral entire cats in her area.. but aware of the law, and aware of what a rescues remit is and what they can and cannot do.

A hose pipe will soak the poor cat which is quite unhealthy for it in this cold weather but a plant spray set on a jet stream will work well normally aimed at its hind quarters will give it a shock without soaking it through to the skin.

My DH & I use to trap feral cats, tame the kittens, neuter all cats/kittens and rehome kittens/release adult cats.

We found Cat Protection League the most helpful regarding free neturing and the Rspca most helpful in rehoming the healthy tamed kittens.

It is cruel to have an entire outside tom cat. He will be fighting and mating all over the area. Increasing the chance of injury or developing illnesses because he is not neutered.

Honestly I would take him to the CPL and get him neutered as an unwanted stray. It is an easy op, we got feral cats done one day, overnight stay in a large travel cage (just in case of problems but we had loads neutered and no issues) and release the day after.

It is better for the cat to be neutered, for the his own sake.

Ps. The feral cats we caught were checked for chips prior to neutering, just in case we trapped a family pet. But you can tell by behaviour when you have a true feral on your hands !

Kali that poster still is hated by me, I can't believe that he is not banned. He was on yet another anti dog thread the other day, he must seek them out.

Regarding your home. Get a black light and search out the places he is marking in your home. Clean the areas using a specialised urine cleaner. You can get this at Amazon or pets at home.

It is not enough to just clean the area, every trace of urine has to be completely removed or else the tom will top up the scent markings at every opportunity.

Once the area is spotless under a black light. Place something heavy on that point, like a cardboard boxes filled with tins. To discourage the tom marking that area again.

Although spraying with water is very effective, it would be cruel to do that to an outside cat, whilst the nights are so cold.

Alternatively you could use an air horn to scare him away or an air puffer can or even an hoover/hairdryer on a cool setting.

There is even an automatic air puffer which can be set up to discourage cats. They are sold to stop cats jumping on kitchen surfaces.

Good luck.