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[aesctreow]

Tucson, I need your help!

We have a stray cat problem infestation. I know this isn't uncommon in Tucson (sadly), but I can't deal with these cats anymore. There are probably 15+ cats living in between these six yards, including mine. Plus, they're breeding (infact 2 were just procreating in our yard 30 minutes ago) we've probably seen 3 sets of

Comments

[violetselkie]

I read an article about a trap-release program that might help, although in a more long-term way.
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=oid%3A121106

But as far as cats attacking your dog on a daily basis, have you tried contacting a no-kill shelter and asking for advice on options besides calling animal control? I don't have any personal experience with this, but it just seems like something that has to come up fairly frequently - people who are bothered by strays, but can't catch them themselves.

[aesctreow]

I've been thinking about calling the Hermitage Cat Sanctuary/Shelter and seeing if they had any advice on the problem for awhile. Because that is the ideal where I would want them to go. Unfortunately I don't think they pick up stray cats and I would still have to find a way to get them there. I'll probably give them a call later today.

Thanks. :)

[aesctreow]

Also that article is great. I'm so glad Tucson is taking such a stance to this problem.
If only these cats were spayed or neutered.

[aesctreow]

Ugh. Why are stray cats so evil? Now that its getting hotter here again, a few nights ago I was like, Hay we should open the window tonight so it can be cool in here while we're sleeping. Then we were like, WHAT IF THE CATS COME IN AND KILL US AT NIGHT. Haha.
We thought for awhile one of our neighbors might, loosely put, own them. As they feed them and seemingly tend to them in bad weather and what not. But I doubt they all belong to them. I wish they did though, so I could go give them a SERIOUS talking to.

How's Snowball? :) We miss her.

[aesctreow]

I hope they don't consider them theirs, cause if they do it's completely irrelevant to me, and I'll still take them to a cat shelter. If they really want them, they can go adopt them after they've all been spayed/neutered. :)

Lmao, ohhh Snowball. What a character.

Call Animal Control

[anonymous]

I hear your problem and I can only sympathize with how difficult it is to live with reproducing feral cats. If you call Animal control a few may be saved and yes some will be put down. If you do not call animal control you will have more cats and more and more animals will be brought into this world under un-ideal circumstances. Cats will be hungry and in danger. The longer it takes for animal control to intervene, the more these cats will suffer. Sorry for the bad news, but its in the cat's best interest to be taken care of.

Re: Call Animal Control

[aesctreow]

Thanks anonymous.
I understand your opinion. However, while there are more humane doors open, I will try my hardest to help ALL of these cats, instead of just hoping a few of them make it. I'm not willing to turn to animal control if I can find other options.

Re: Call Animal Control

[ailiathena]

Hey ... I was just thinking, if you try to DIY re: spaying, it is going to be crazy expensive (trap, pay for spaying, release). If you can't afford to do that for all of them, how is it better than calling in the Humane Society?

I hear where you're coming from, I was just thinking about it and figured you'd already given my question some thought and I was curious. Hope you don't mind.

Re: Call Animal Control

[aesctreow]

I, personally, don't plan on spaying all of these animals. Nor do I plan on trapping them, getting them their shots, and releasing them back into the neighborhood. 1. I can't afford that. 2. My biggest problem is that these cats aren't safe, spayed or even with adequate shots, if I were to just release them back into the neighborhood, it only solves 50% of the problem.
My plan was to trap them THEN take them to a shelter that I knew was a no kill shelter. There they would receive their adequate shots, and be socialized and possibly adopted out - if not, then at least safe and taken care of.

[khemlab]

One thing that may keep them away from your yard is chili powder around the perimeter or where they cross -- it gets on their feet and stings their tongue when they wash themselves, so they learn not to repeat the behavior. Obviously you want to make sure that you put it somewhere your dog won't get into it, because it has the same effect on all mammals.

[alsoname]

How have you tried to catch them? Humane traps work wonders. I used one to catch the seven strays/ferals at my old house. I took them to ABC for sterilization and then put them back. I know you want to get RID of them rather than have a stable colony, but TNR is definitely something to look into. Let me know if you want information about further resources (like where to rent or borrow humane traps, etc.).

[alsoname]

Also if you're worried about them biting your dog, you can get them rabies shots.

[wordsgate]

She can't catch them. How is she going to give them a shot??? Shove the shot in the gun and fire? :/

[alsoname]

I recommended catching them in a humane trap and taking them to a vet. Nowhere in there did I say anything about a DIY approach.