How to catch a cat - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

shane_c · 05-08-2007, 07:27 AM

While putting in some plants on the weekend we noticed that our front garden, under our bay windows was piled high with cat crap. We raked it all up and finished putting the plants in. While we were out, people a few doors down were walking by and said that their cat likes to sit on our front step. So I'm guessing it is the same one that likes to have a dump in the garden too. I'm assuming he leaves some urine too since there was an aroma and one of our small evergreen shrubs from last year was completely dead in one spot.

So I looked at the garden yesterday and now there are all kinds of cat tracks tramping through the fresh soil. Is there something humane we can do to catch the cat and call it into bylaw services?

pappa jan · 05-08-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane_c

While putting in some plants on the weekend we noticed that our front garden, under our bay windows was piled high with cat crap. We raked it all up and finished putting the plants in. While we were out, people a few doors down were walking by and said that their cat likes to sit on our front step. So I'm guessing it is the same one that likes to have a dump in the garden too. So I looked at the garden yesterday and now there are all kinds of cat tracks tramping through the fresh soil. Is there something humane we can do to catch the cat and call it into bylaw services?

I agree, Friesen is an , Kipper is awesome and the Flames is a bunch of underachievers.

I think this post is in the wrong forum.

North East Goon · 05-08-2007, 07:33 AM

I want Jay Bouwmeester too. Seriously though, the SPCA will come out and set a trap for you - no cost.

ken0042 · 05-08-2007, 07:54 AM

Moved to the OT forum.

Bobblehead · 05-08-2007, 08:09 AM

We have the exact same thing happen. Since the spot in question was on the north side of the house under an overhang, it never got any rain or sunlight and very little would grow there. We got some rock and piled it in the area. It still leaves room for a garden, and very little would grow in that area anyways.

When we called the city, they said the only thing they would do was rent us a live trap, which we would need to pick up, set up, and return.

Canada 02 · 05-08-2007, 08:23 AM

Google is your friend

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Repell...Garden&id=6554

Quote:

To protect plants and borders both mothballs and citrus are said to be effective deterrents. Place the mothballs, orange peel or lemon rind in the borders. Alternatively spray cloths with orange scented air freshener and place the cloths around the plants you wish to protect. Other known cat repellents are cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil and mustard oil.

Nufy · 05-08-2007, 08:37 AM

Pellet Gun............and Patience......

Bobblehead · 05-08-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Google is your friend

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Repell...Garden&id=6554

They do work, but only for a short time (less than a week) then you need to re-apply. At least that was my experience.

psicodude · 05-08-2007, 08:51 AM

Call 311 and tell them your problem. They will forward you to the City Bylaw division who will hook you up with a cat trap. I think you have to pay a deposit of $100 or something, but it will be worth it.

CaramonLS · 05-08-2007, 08:51 AM

Tobasco sauce also works quite well.

If the cat is jumping in a specific area he shouldn't be in, place tinfoil with Cayanne pepper in the center. For whatever reason cats hate the feel of tinfoil and hate the pepper smell, we use it on any good furniture we have and the cat doesn't go near it. Will work outdoors depending on the area too.

RougeUnderoos · 05-08-2007, 10:10 AM

Can't you just walk down to the neighbours and ask them to keep him out of your yard?

If your first step is catching the cat and taking him to the pound they probably won't be too happy and you'll have new neighbour-enemies.

worth · 05-08-2007, 10:33 AM

yeah tell your neighbours that you'd have no prob with the cat sleeping on the steps, but you don't really want it carpping and peeing in yuor flowers.

the cat should be on their property only anyway. if they don't comply, then go the bylaw way, but I think doing that off the bat might create some animosity.

sclitheroe · 05-08-2007, 10:42 AM

My vote is for bear spray

-Scott

ken0042 · 05-08-2007, 10:42 AM

Of course, by going to them first you also run the risk of them getting mad at you because you don't tolerate their cute little kitty the way they do.

That being said, I would still approach them. Be kind, and let them know the driving factor it that it's costing you money; not that you don't like cats.

Another option; have you considered training the dogs to attack the cat?

Resolute 14 · 05-08-2007, 10:48 AM

Cat traps work well. My mom had a stray cat decide to have kittens in her yard, which we then trapped and took to the SPCA. Took a few days to get them all, but it worked.

Let me tell you, a 6 week old kitten that has never been around people is a little ball of hate. I had to wear thick gloves to put the little things into a carrier for the trip, and they still tried to rip my hand off...

GreenTeaFrapp · 05-08-2007, 11:10 AM

Get a dog, a big dog and leave it outside.

shane_c · 05-08-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Can't you just walk down to the neighbours and ask them to keep him out of your yard?

If your first step is catching the cat and taking him to the pound they probably won't be too happy and you'll have new neighbour-enemies.

We don't know for sure that it's there cat and have never seen the cat on our step so I don't know what it looks like. But apparently, according to the owners, it likes to sit on our step.

I don't care what they think of us. We are both fed up with the mentality of people around here for letting their dogs and cats run free and getting peeved at us for telling them they shouldn't be.

A few days ago I had the dogs out for a walk around the neighbourhood. Some lady was walking down an alleyway on the other side of the street. At first I didn't see her dog who came bolting across the street in an aggressive manner. It was one of those big poodles. When I yelled at her that her dog should be tied she said "I know" so I said "well why isn't it" but before she said anything her dog tried to bite one of mine so I stomped my foot at it and chased it down the sidewalk and told her I was f'ing sick of people like her. Next time I hope it gets hit by a car and that her kids are there to watch.

This is something we deal with pretty much daily on our walks. It's very tiring.

Nikki · 05-08-2007, 11:22 AM

You can call 311 and they have a recipe for a mixture that will keep most animals out of your garden/flower beds. I can't recall it right now but it works. You blend it in a blender and add water, then pour it around the edge of the area you want to keep the animals out of. And it is pet friendly incase you have your own pets.

The thing that annoys me about using the trap is that once you have the cat in it, you have to take it back to animal services. I despise cats that are allowed to roam the neighbourhood freely. We have quite a few in our area and I have started letting my dog out to chase them, it seems to be working....

Ford Prefect · 05-08-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Another option; have you considered training the dogs to attack the cat?

Dogs now days have to be trained to chase cats??!!?

Seriously though, I've been a cat owner my entire life, and there's a simple solution to this problem. Cats that are kept as house pets should not be allowed to go outside. Outdoor cats cannot be controlled and are invariably going to be bad neighbours by spraying and dumping in flower beds. It's not their fault either ... it's not something that can trained out of them. So the responsible and neighbourly thing for cat owners to do is keep their cats indoors. I've owned several cats now that have never been outside, and they're happy, well adjusted cats. Having never been outside, they have no desire to go out either. They live longer as well ... no cat has ever been hit by a car while crossing the living room as far as I know.

JimmytheT · 05-08-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Dogs now days have to be trained to chase cats??!!?

Seriously though, I've been a cat owner my entire life, and there's a simple solution to this problem. Cats that are kept as house pets should not be allowed to go outside. Outdoor cats cannot be controlled and are invariably going to be bad neighbours by spraying and dumping in flower beds. It's not their fault either ... it's not something that can trained out of them. So the responsible and neighbourly thing for cat owners to do is keep their cats indoors. I've owned several cats now that have never been outside, and they're happy, well adjusted cats. Having never been outside, they have no desire to go out either. They live longer as well ... no cat has ever been hit by a car while crossing the living room as far as I know.

Here, here! I own two cats, and they stay indoors for several reasons including yours above. I want to have my cats around to play with, or companionship, not let it wander on its own, and get into trouble.

When we take the cats to BC, we let the go outside, however, they are on a long teather, so they don't wander off, and they are always outside with us. Once we go in, the cats come in.