Cats killing birds ... Nieghbours keep feeding birds!

Fridaycat

krlyr wrote: »

Why should it be your neighbours' problem if your cats are killing birds? They are completely within their rights to feed wild birds in their own garden if they wish. Yes, it's an inconvenience but if you choose to let your cats roam free, you effectively choose to accept the consequences. You chose to own cats, you chose to let them roam free, no where in that scenario should the neighbours have to suffer for your decisions.
If you were my neighbour and did something as petty as that then you would certainly find yourself without a handy catsitter, and probably being reported to the local police for throwing dead animals into my garden!

I think that is missing the point a little.... The OP has said that not only do the neighbours encourage the birds into their garden, which is of course their right to do so, but they also encourage the cats! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that if you encourage both these creatures, unfortunate deaths will occur. So I think that the consequences should be spelled out a little to them, though I agree that chucking dead feathery bodies over the fence is probably not the most efficient way of doing this.

big5

When we moved into our house, we set up a bird feeder next to the patio so we could see the birds from the kitchen window. We soon spotted the neighbour's cat hiding under a bush nearby waiting to pounce, so the bird feeder was quickly moved to a more open area of the garden.

Maybe you could suggest your neighbour moves the bird table to somewhere that gives the cats less cover?

Buckslad_2

krlyr wrote: »

Why should it be your neighbours' problem if your cats are killing birds? They are completely within their rights to feed wild birds in their own garden if they wish. Yes, it's an inconvenience but if you choose to let your cats roam free, you effectively choose to accept the consequences. You chose to own cats, you chose to let them roam free, no where in that scenario should the neighbours have to suffer for your decisions.
If you were my neighbour and did something as petty as that then you would certainly find yourself without a handy catsitter, and probably being reported to the local police for throwing dead animals into my garden!

I read your comment last night and actually got very angry. Then i realised you were an idiot who couldnt read so today i am laughing at your response. For the record if YOU had read my post properly YOU would know that they are encouraging my cats into there garden as well as the birds. Thats pretty silly if you ask me.

We have now spoken over a cuppa and i have explained how i feel and just how many birds they have killed. They are very aware of this but to be honest its probably fallen of deaf ears. The collars and bells seem to be working so fingers crossed with a few adjustments to our fences we can discourage them from leaving our garden.

Thanks to those of you who had constructive advise. It's very much appreciated.

krlyr

So? I like cats and if I pass by one on the pavement, I will often encourage them to come over for a stroke if they seem friendly enough. However, they're not my pet, and not my responsibility. Even if your neighbours didn't actively encourage the cats, I'm sure it wouldn't take them long to twig onto where all the birds are congregating. At the end of the day, they're your pets, their actions are your responsibility.

krlyr

I'm sorry, I didn't realise that securing my garden fence to prevent my dogs from upsetting the local livestock was worse than allowing pet cats to roam free and kill the local wildlife.

krlyr

Also have to say I'm sure my neighbour appreciates having someone who takes issues on-board and does everything they can to take responsibility for their own pet's actions rather than someone who would feel happy chucking dead animals into his garden. I fully realise that my dog's barking is a nuisance so have changed routines, got in dog sitters, contacted behaviourists etc. to deal with it and we're making good headway. The neighbours can't be that annoyed with me when we were offered a parking space on their driveway over the weekend now they have one less car. Get the feeling your neighbourly relationship may not be quite so friendly should you decide to follow through with your idea..

pineapple

con1888 wrote: »

Looks like it's just nature though, it is a shame for the birds but what else can you do

I have a neighbour with 5 cats who says this. She also says it when they dig up and cr*p in my garden.
I have mixed feelings about this. Well done to the OP for caring though maybe the answer is not to have a cat. The growing number of cats is responsible for a huge decimation of our wildlife.
The neighbours definitely should not be encouraging the cats - that said some people are just softies where any animal is concerned. Are they retired or older?
That said, they are also entitled to do what they want to encourage and enjoy birds in theirgarden.
The problem, in essence, is the cats.
Can I recommend the Pestbye ultrasonic repeller (available on Amazon and maybe elsewhere). Unlike others it actually does work and it is cheaper than others at around £17. Maybe the OP could even consider buying one as a goodwill gesture. It needs to go in the neighbour's garden of course. Reassure them it won't hurt the cats. Maybe they could at least protect the bird feeding area?
I can't hear the noise and neither can my dog. Brilliant :T
It's so popular they seem to have trouble keeping up with demand. For a large area, for the price, it's worth ordering two. I'm waiting for my second now.

krlyr

pineapple wrote: »

I have mixed feelings about this. Well done to the OP for caring though maybe the answer is not to have a cat. The growing number of cats is responsible for a huge decimation of our wildlife.

To be fair, studies have shown that the damage caused by cats doesn't really play a very significant role in the population of birds. Even the RSPB acknowledge that the victims that fall foul to local cats would most likely succumb to natural causes of death anyway, especially as cats generally catch the weaker or sicker birds as they're easier prey.
Apparently the second-most commonly caught bird, the blue tit, has actually increased in population by a quarter over the last few decades, so cats can't be doing that much harm.

But as a cat owner you either have to accept that cats kill birds - it may not be nature in its most natural form (since domesticated animals break the mould) but it's the cat's nature anyway. Or if you dislike the thought/guilt/mess, then it's up to you to take the actions necessary to prevent it, as they're your pets. It's not fair to shift the blame or responsibility onto anyone else, unless they were literally clipping the birds' wings and waving them infront of your cats' mouths or something ridiculous.

catkins

krlyr wrote: »

So? I like cats and if I pass by one on the pavement, I will often encourage them to come over for a stroke if they seem friendly enough. However, they're not my pet, and not my responsibility. Even if your neighbours didn't actively encourage the cats, I'm sure it wouldn't take them long to twig onto where all the birds are congregating. At the end of the day, they're your pets, their actions are your responsibility.

How can a cat's actions be the owners responsibility? How do you stop a cat doing what is in it's nature?

I love birds but do not feed them in my garden as I have two cats. They have collars with bells on but still they find birds somewhere and kill them.

In winter I take bird food, fat balls etc to a large local park and put them out for the birds there.

Years ago I was quite friendly with my next door but one neighbour. She fed the birds and I had two cats. One day she knocked and said "your cats keep coming in my garden and one has killed a bird". I apologised and said I didn't like them killing things but how do you stop a cat? I put bells on their collars and one cat did stop but the other ended up with 5 bells (1 large one and 4 small ones) and still managed to kill birds. The neighbour stopped speaking to me.

Where I love now my neighbour said one of my cats goes to the toilet in her garden (the other only uses my garden). She said she was not complaining as she likes cats (so why tell me then?) I said for her to throw water over him when he comes in and he will learn to stay away. Oh no she couldn't do that she said. So instead she has bought something and spread it on her garden. Unfortunately whatever it is he loves so he now spends even more time there!!

roguebrogue

catkins wrote: »

How can a cat's actions be the owners responsibility? How do you stop a cat doing what is in it's nature?

You can't own something but not take resposibility for it.