Need Help With Stray Cats

I live in an area where the local government does absolutly nothing about stray cats, infact there are no laws that state a cat needs to be restricted to their own yard. I manage a Cardinal built (single story/ private entrances)community and we currently have about 8 stray cats. We tried last year to have a company trap them and take them to a no kill shelter but the neighbors in another community adjacent to ours who feeds the cats regularly found out and started contacting the vendor and claiming the cats. These same cats have gotten under our buildings (which we have completely closed off) but now they are spraying the buildings especially in locations where residents have cats as pets. It smells horrible and I am receiving complaints... does anyone have any idea how to prevent these cats from wanting to spray since my hands are tied on remedying the situation by removing the cats? I've researched and found very little information... Any help would be appreciated!

Poor kitties. First let me say that I am a huge lover of animals and hate even thinking about putting a cat down. These stray cats are going to continue to spray everywhere unless you get them fixed yourself which can be pretty pricey. Even if you did find something you could put down or spray around the building I'm sure that would be pricey too. The only thing I can think of is the legal side of it. If these neighbors are claiming ownership to the cats then they are responsible for these cats. If these neighbors are renters, almost in every lease is a neusense clause which they are violating. You can contact their landlord to voice your complaint and efforts in trying to move the cats. If they are homeowners that's another story. I really don't think there is much you can do without calling someone out to remove the cats. poor cats. This is way spaying and neutering is important. Good Luck Chrissy!

Thanks Jennifer... Yeah I have my hands tied on this one. Unfortunately, the building adjacent to ours is owned by a private owner who manages the building himself and to put this as kindly as possible not the most versed in property management. I have talked to him about his residents and the fact that they feed them and consider them their pets and he simply made a lot of excuses that boiled down to "it's not my problem". The cats are ferrel and they aren't nice little kittys at all.. they are actually disgusting and they smell horrible and probably carry disease and fleas. I'm going to keep researching and see what I can find... Keep your fingers crossed!

Hi Chrissy,
Can you borrow a friend's dog for the weekend. Once they realize a dog has come to town, the property will look MUCH less appealing. You would have to do this repeatedly to make it work.

If you have a sprinkler system, turn it on next time they are in the yard.Or you can just use a hose and spray them when you see them. They won't want to come to a place that sprays them. Cat's tend to freak out when they get soaked!

There are also various sonic devices that may or may not work. And they can be expensive!

Grow a garden of plants that are repulsive to cats. Plant peppermint, geranium, rue, lavender, garlic, lemon grass and thyme along the perimeter of your buildings to keep cats from entering.

Alter the comfort zone by making your property 'unattractive' to the cats! Spraying the area where they rest with the following may help. Citronella oil works well, as well as citrus scents such as orange or lemon, cayenne pepper, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil. Spray hot pepper formula around the flowers and on top of the mulched areas. Or get a 2lb bag of fine ground pepper and sprinkled it liberally around the areas the cats visit.Try coffee grounds or pipe tobacco. "Havahart's Cat Repellent" uses capsaicin pepper and oil of mustard as its active ingredients. It repels by both taste and odor, has a lemon scent.

Every cat responds differently to each of these. Some will not be phased by them and others will not.

By the way Chrissy, I happen to love cats, just don't beleive they should be allowed to roam!

Once again Gerry... YOU ARE AWESOME!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you! I will let you know what happens.

Ahwww....thanks Chrissy! You may have to try several things~~~it's all about being annoying enough to the cats! :silly:

I totally boosted your Karma by one for that great advice!