Feral Cats Deterrence Techniques from CAP

Feral cats are members of the domestic cat species, but they do not socialize with humans and are therefore not adoptable. Since feral cats are not socialized and adoptable, they will most likely be euthanized at a shelter or kennel.

trap-neuter-return is the only proven method of reducing the feral cat population. Wild cats have been living outdoors near humans for more than 10,000 years. We understand that not everyone likes having cats in their yards, and these simple tips will help discourage feral cats from taking up residence on your property.

easy solutions for cat behavior

the cats are getting into my trash cans.

Cats are scavengers and look for food.

solutions:

• Put a tight-fitting lid on your trash can. exposed trash bags will also attract wildlife.
• See if the neighbors are feeding the cats. if so, make sure they do it on a regular schedule.
• Start feeding the cats yourself, but remember to keep them on a regular feeding schedule, don’t leave food out for more than 30 minutes, and place feeders off the ground and in a place that won’t disturb the neighbors. Feeding cats regularly and in reasonable amounts will help ensure they don’t get hungry and go to the litter.

There are cat paw prints and/or scratches on my car.

cats like to perch on high ground.

solutions:

• Move cat feeding stations away from neighbors’ properties to prevent cats from climbing into cars or other private property.
• Buy a car cover. or put plastic mats spikes up in cars. this won’t hurt the cat but it will make it uncomfortable and it won’t want to sit in the car

the cats are digging in my garden

A cat’s natural instinct is to dig and use the toilet in soft or loose soil, moss, mulch or sand.

solutions:

• Scatter freshly ground orange and lemon peels or spray area with citrus fragrances. coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemongrass, citronella, and eucalyptus also deter cats.
• Cats will only go to the bathroom where they can dig. Placing chicken wire sharp-side down, lattice fencing, or river rocks on top of the ground will prevent feral cats from using your yard as a litter box. you can disguise them by planting flowers and seeds in the openings. You can also try embedding wooden toothpicks, pine cones, or blunt-tipped sticks deep into the soil with the tops exposed eight inches away, this will act as a stumbling block and deter cats from this area.
• Set up a sandbox by tilling the soil or placing sand in a secluded spot in your yard. be sure to keep it clean and free of deposits.

the cats are lounging in my yard or on my porch.

Cats are territorial and will stay close to their food source. making sure cats are neutered will drastically reduce their tendency to wander and prevent them from wandering into unwanted areas.

solutions:

• Liquidly apply cat repellent around garden edges, on top of fences, and on any digging areas or favorite plants. this can be purchased at most animal supply companies.
• install a motion-activated sprinkler, this will not only prevent cats from hanging out in your yard, but will also help maintain your lawn.
• make sure you do not inadvertently provide a source of food or shelter for cats. keep your yard clean, make sure trash is tightly covered, and don’t feed pets outdoors.

cats sleep under my porch or in my shed.

Cats seek a warm, dry shelter away from the elements.

solution:

• Once you have located the area the cats are entering, be sure to search for any remaining cats or kittens before sealing the area.
• use lights and a radio to make the cat uncomfortable and move on its own.
• Also use scents like coffee grounds, citrus peels, and ammonia to discourage cats from building new homes on your property.

the cats are killing birds.

Being predatory animals, feral cats may occasionally kill birds. however, the true cause of bird population decline is habitat loss, urbanization, pollution, and environmental degradation. Researchers estimate that in the US alone, nearly 100 million birds are killed from collisions with windows and buildings each year, eighty million birds are killed from collisions with cars, and another 67 million from pesticide exposure on crops. these figures don’t even take into account the millions who perish from pesticides used on golf courses, lawns, and gardens.

solution:

Place all bird food high off the ground in areas where cats can’t climb to reach it or hide around it. try limiting the amount of seed that falls to the ground by using liquid bird food, placing less seed in feeders, or purchasing cat-resistant bird feeders.

cats meow, fight, spray, roam and have babies.

These are all mating behaviors displayed by cats that have not been spayed or neutered.

solution:

The most effective way to eliminate these behaviors is to spay or neuter the feral cat. these behaviors are driven by the cat’s sex hormones once the cat is spayed, usually within three weeks these behaviors are eliminated.