The population of stray and wild cats living in alleys, abandoned places and gardens reaches tens of millions. Stray cats are those that have lost their owners, while wild cats are untamed cats that are born and survive in the wild. Read on to find out how to humane and safely control the cat population in your area.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Remove Food Sources and Shelter
Step 1. Do not feed cats
It will bring them back to your property and encourage reproduction. It can be difficult to resist the temptation to feed a meowing kitten, but if you don't continue to offer an unlimited supply of food and shelter, it's not in your pet's best interests to feed it.
- Talk to your neighbors to find out if they are feeding cats. If they do, they could cause an uncontrolled population increase.
- If you feed cats, put the food away from home. Don't put it in front of the front door, unless you want cats to come there for food.
Step 2. Remove other food sources
Cats can survive on very little, so it may be impossible to completely remove their food sources from your area. You can start by making sure the garbage doesn't come out of the bin, and that it's covered with a tight lid.
- Talk to your neighbors to make sure everyone is using tight lids to keep their garbage cans closed.
- Restaurant bins are often food sources for feral and stray cats, especially as they are often left open and only emptied when overcrowded. If a bin in your neighborhood seems to attract cats, talk to the restaurant owner and ask him to pay more attention to the safety of his trash.
Step 3. Remove or lock guards
Cats look for warm, dry spaces to protect themselves from the elements, and if they are unable to find a den, they will move to the neighboring neighborhood. Fence the area under your porch, and make sure your shed door is securely closed. Cover any small openings under porches, porches, or foundations.
- If you notice cats gathering at a specific spot on your property, find out what shelter they use and prevent them from entering.
- Plywood and barbed wire are inexpensive but effective materials for covering openings.
Part 2 of 4: Using Natural Cat Repellents
Step 1. Drive cats away with natural solutions
A good scare is enough to discourage most cats from venturing onto your property. Place fake rubber snakes at strategic points in the garden, or get a dog. The sight and sounds made by these natural predators will keep cats away from your property.
Step 2. Install sprinklers with motion sensors
It is well known that cats and water don't get along, so cats will stay out of reach of water and your garden. As an added bonus, your weed and flowers will get a nice sprinkle.
Step 3. Sprinkle some pepper or use pepper spray on the area
Cats will be bothered by the pepper on their paws when they groom themselves, and if you apply it often, they will learn that it is your property that is responsible. You can temporarily keep them out of an area by sprinkling a lot of pepper or by spraying pepper spray.
- Sprinkle some pepper on your porch, in the shed, on the porch, or wherever you have noticed cats playing or resting.
- Pepper also works on grass, but you'll need to reapply it often, especially in rainy weather.
Part 3 of 4: Catching and Neutering Cats
Step 1. Contact an animal shelter for advice
On your own you may not be able to evaluate all aspects and possible solutions.
Step 2. Trap the cats
The most humane and effective way to get rid of cats in the long term is to catch them so you can lead them to be spayed. Purchase a cat trap, a plastic or metal cage with a door and a bait made of tuna, sardines, or cat food. Place the trap on a sidewalk that is often used by cats in your neighborhood.
- When you catch a cat, don't let it get out of the trap. Feral cats can bite and scratch, especially when they are scared.
- Cover the trap with a blanket to calm the cat.
Step 3. Take the cats to the vet
Many vets offer feral cat neutering for free, because the growing feral cat population is considered a big problem. Call veterinarians and animal shelters in your area to find one that offers this service.
- Neutering a cat is a humane method to prevent it from reproducing and to control the local population.
- Know that when you take your cat to the vet, you will probably be responsible for it in the future. Be prepared to take it home with you when the procedure is complete.
Step 4. Return the cat to the neighborhood
Since taking the cat to another place would only make him a problem for someone else, the last step in this strategy is to take him home and allow him to live his life in peace.
- For this method to be effective, you will need to capture and neuter most, or all, of the cat population in your area. Over time, their numbers will decrease, as they cannot reproduce.
- If you use this method, you will be able to feed them later, as you will be sure that they will not be able to reproduce.
Part 4 of 4: Getting Outside Help
Step 1. Call Animal Protection if you can't control the population yourself
Animal control agencies usually capture cats and relocate or kill them. You could also ask the agency to help you employ the capture and sterilization method if you feel unable to do it yourself.
Step 2. Don't take cats to animal shelters
Most shelters do not accept feral cats, as they cannot be adopted. Feral cats are often shy, unsociable or violent, which is why they shouldn't be invited into people's homes.
Advice
If a cat who has a master is the one entering your property, contact him and request that he be sure to keep him indoors. If the owner does not want to cooperate, contact the Animal Protection Department or the police department to register a complaint
Warnings
- Never try to harm or injure a cat that enters your property. Not only is this a cruel and inhumane action, it is also illegal in many states.
- Don't attempt to trap or corner a feral cat, as it can be quite ferocious. If you are bitten or scratched by a feral cat, seek medical attention to make sure you receive the necessary vaccines.
