Enough with the presents, thanks!

[saffronwblue]

We adopted MIL's 2 older cats when she went into care earlier this year. It is going OK- they are troopers and very resilient and I think have settled in well. However they seem to be on a killing/present giving spree, escalating towards Christmas. In the last week they have killed 2 mice and 2 birds, each time laid out neatly on the carpet.
How can I let them know that we know they are grateful?

They like you if they bring gifts. Not much you can do, bells never held my Persian back.

You can buy plastic bibs to put on them but its a bit extreme IMO, they look like weaning bibs but without the tray.

That's not too bad for two cats, actually. The mice you should probably be grateful for - have you seen what they can do to wiring? - and they should tail off.

Your garden birds should learn that there are cats around as well, particularly if you have blackbirds. (The chief blackie will usually act as 'Watchbird' for all the birds in your garden - listen for sudden chattering/calling when the cats go outside.) Luckily, it's the time of year when there are no baby birds flobbling around on the ground - and also you could have a look at the \link{http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/cats/birdfriendly.aspx\RSPB advice} on making your garden more bird friendly.

Apart from that - I don't think there's much you can do. And you should see what some posters have had given to them as 'presents'. Your two are actually being quite restrained!