How to discourage feral cats.

-- therese wheelwright (kolec@webtv.net), June 26, 2001

Answers

.22 rimfire (hollow-point) is good enough.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), June 26, 2001.

Dogs

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), June 26, 2001.

What worked for me was Don's answer. Used the 22 rifle. I also had the help of a neighbor, a better shot! Also used one of my duck pens as a trap. Just left a little duck-sized door open and baited it with cat food. Then slipped out and shut the little door. Then shot the cat. Hated that but a very ill elderly lady neighbor was feeding about 40 of the suckers and of course they were sick and having more kittens all the time. I promised her not to touch the cats until she passed away and when that day came it was all out war! We won.

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), June 26, 2001.

If this question isn't the best arguement for spaying and neutering pets you don't intend to breed, I've never heard one.

And yes, if it isn't a potential breeder around this farm, it gets fixed--PDQ. If it is a potential breeder, those breedings are planned and controlled.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), June 26, 2001.

What exactly are you posting? Are you talking about cats or humans? Look it up in your Funk and Waganals. Sez "not tame nor docile". That could include Paul Revere and the Boston Tea Party. They certainly were not tame nor docile in standing up for their rights. But you resort to trying to scare humans out of their wits, with a threat of some kitty kat code name of "feral". and blowing their brains out. I am not afraid of you, I confront you. By the way, in my neighborhood, the animal "feral" cat HAS NOT SCARED US TO DEATH!. The cat neighborhood has not increased, in fact I scare the two or three off with a loud voice of "SCAT". I don't know where you live,but I pity that you don't have more control. Kinda reminds me of the horror picture of "The Birds". So forget your business of scaring humans with the horrors that some small docile animal will take them out. In my life experience, I submit the following: Your kind and loving dog pet, will never, ever rip open your throat, though they sponsered one on the evening news. Your children and Grandchildren will never be victums of any crime, unless you allow it. So, don't allow nothing evil of any kind, to pass your doorstep. We Do have Power.

-- Story and Sticking (crobbs1@bellsouth.net), June 26, 2001.

Me too, if its not fixed its not loose. I know a lot of people say they can't "afford" to get their pets fixed, but firstly there are cheap or free spay/neuter clinics every year all across the country and secondly, can you afford all those litters?

I guess that's why I've had so many stray dogs over the years... including my border collie mix. Somebody dumped her when she was just about 3 weeks old, its a wonder she lived until I found her, a week later. Neighbors told me she'd been eating out of the other dog's bowl. They thought I knew about her.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), June 26, 2001.

Jesus Christ, I have seen your wonder. It is not an easy life. But thanks to you for showing me kidnesds and

-- Jesus L. Christ (crobbs1@bellsouth.net), June 27, 2001.

I've got to go with the person who advocated killing excess cats. I love animals but the predation that wild (and domesticated) animals do is incredible. When I was eight, I remember watching my three year old Manx take a rabbit down that was nearly her size. Couldn't believe it, my Calico did that?

Sure 'nuff, many studies show that cats and dogs do incredible population damage to birds. So until you can talk a cat into changing its habits, I will regretfully side on predator control.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), June 27, 2001.

Sorry "Story and Sticking", just doesn't make sense. No one is trying to "scare" anyone. Feral cats multiply, kill off wildlife that evolution never prepared to cope with domestic cats, and spread disease. And I'am sorry you don't work within the community of animal care. If you did you would know that many people are killed and injured by the canine family pet every year. It isn't the dogs fault. It is ignorance and mis interpetation on our part. Education is the answer. Spay and Neuter pets. Obedience train your dog and keep them in a yard and under control.

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), June 27, 2001.

Check Story and Sticking's email addy and then look at a few postings. Also "S and S" posted a completely nonsense-type post, also about feral cats. I think "S and S" needs to be busier these days.

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), June 28, 2001.