Cats!

Chyna81

They are all clean and healthy.

I've just taken a look at RSPCA it's not as simply as just ringing them up and asking them to remove cats. There are a list of measures which you have to do before RSPCA will even consider collecting the cats.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/straycats

Really annoyed about this just wanted to enjoy my first home and now have to worry about cats. Oh well I've ordered the water pipe and CATWATCH Ultrasonic Cat Repellent.

I think I'm more scared of the cats then they are of me. I wouldn't dare get close to one lol.

J_i_m

I don't see what the big fuss is about.

Just don't feed them and take steps to prevent them from entering your home.. they'll soon choose to avoid your home when it's no longer comfortable or welcoming to them.

Because domestic cats tend to be pets.. you seem to applying the same values to them as people.. but that's daft. Are you equally as offended when non domesticated wildlife "trespasses" upon your land?

And of that there may be plenty i.e.;

Birds
Various rodents, insects etc
Squirrels
Hedgehogs
Foxes

And yes, like it or not... cats.

In which case you seem to have taken offence to nature. But I suggest you take a dose of realism.

jjlandlord

Cats can roam an area much wider than the garden of their owner and the immediate neighbours.
They probably belong to someone in the neighbourhood, and want the free lunches they are used to get.

Even without hosing them, if you do not feed them I guess they'll understand that there is no longer any point waiting at the door.

A few visiting cats are not really a worry, though.

GwylimT

Cats can be quite brazen, I know mine goes into the flat next door which the guy doesn't mind at all, but I would rather he was mean to her as it could cause problems if he moves. Before we put a litter tray outside our cat used to poo in a neighbours border, I got the neighbour a few things to use but lion dung seemed the most effective thing, good for the plants as well.

iammumtoone

Chyna81 wrote: »

They are all clean and healthy.

In that case your new house is probably just their second home:eek: like you say the previous owner must have been feeding them. It is quite common for cats to have a house they visit when a kind neighbour will feed them, just a shame they don't think of the consequences when they move

You don't need a strong water pistol just cheap one from poundland will do the job a small squirt of water will see them running away. Just spray them whenever they come near. Personally I am not in favour of electronic devises to deter them, a squirt of water is harmless to them and works.

One of my cats came back home once looking so sorry for himself, it was a dry day and he was absolutely drenched, he must have been in someones garden who didn't want him there and instead of a squirt of water it looked like they had thrown a whole bucket over him

KiKi

IF they are not strays (and if they're well fed and clean and well groomed then it's unlikely, it will simply be a case of waiting. Cats are creatures of habit and will realise after a while that you're not going to feed them and they will find somewhere else to go.

Spray with water every time you open your door so they associate the door with water and not food. (Do not drench them, that's cruel. Just a small spray bottle like a travel spray bottle from Boots or somewhere will do the trick.) Pay them no attention. Offer no food - and they'll soon go away.

I appreciate it's frustrating, but you will just have to wait it out - RSPCA certainly won't get involved unless they're strays or mistreated. They will learn.

KiKi

Chyna81

J_i_m wrote: »

I don't see what the big fuss is about.

Just don't feed them and take steps to prevent them from entering your home.. they'll soon choose to avoid your home when it's no longer comfortable or welcoming to them.

Because domestic cats tend to be pets.. you seem to applying the same values to them as people.. but that's daft. Are you equally as offended when non domesticated wildlife "trespasses" upon your land?

And of that there may be plenty i.e.;

Birds
Various rodents, insects etc
Squirrels
Hedgehogs
Foxes

And yes, like it or not... cats.

In which case you seem to have taken offence to nature. But I suggest you take a dose of realism.

Since you don't see what the big fuss is about your more than welcome to have the fabulous 4 sitting on my decking area.

carefullycautious

If they still persist in coming to you after you have not fed/ignored/etc I would be ringing the RSPCA and saying that you think they have been abandoned

The easy way would be for you to ask the neighbours whose cats they are

kinger101

They'll move on soon enough. Cats love anyone who feeds them, so they'll soon stop visiting once they realize there's nothing for them anymore. In the meantime, you can get repellent pellets from B&Q which are supposed to keep them away.

penguingirl

We used to get neighbours cats using our lawn as a toilet. We ended up getting our own cat (rescue from a friend due to her baby's allergies) and it turns out that having your own cat really is the best deterrant! Never had a problem since as cats very rarely use their 'own' garden as a toilet, and no other cat dares to set foot in our garden. I'm guessing owning a dog would have a similar outcome.

If they appear to be well looked after and there's no obvious signs they are strays I doubt the RSPCA will help you. Identifying their owners won't help keep them away. Seriously just chase them away while making a noise or spray a hose. They'll soon get the message