People who dump kittens or cats are going to hot hells. What sort of
disgusting person does something like this?

I cannot have a cat in or outside because I have a parrot. Of course
there are always people who say a parrot can easily be fast friends
with a cat, that too is mythos and illogical.

My cat days are over. I've had them all my life. This cat in the
yard is not feral. Feral cats do not purr when you go near them, and
they certainly don't let you pet them.

This is probably the cat of some dimwit who moved in, immediately let
the cat out, and said cat got lost. My yard is perfect as it's a
wildlife habitat with brush piles and other animals like rats, snakes
and birds.

I will try to trap it in a have a heart trap and have him neutered,
then find him a home through pet adoption. This poor little kitty is
so sad to look at, even though he is very healthy. If someone dumped
him here, those people will be open to the wrath of their own
misdeeds.


On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:11:01 GMT, "Mike Harris"
wrote:

Jangchub,

Cats are territorial animals and as such don't get "lost" or "stray" as in
the manner of a dog. Most likely what you are seeing is a "feral" cat, a
domestic animal born wild - it's never had a "home" or an "owner" but is the
offspring of an abandoned housepet however many generations removed.

People should not dump unwanted cats or kittens, but once a feral population
is established the idea of anyone "allowing" them to roam is absurd. One
might just as well rail that 'possums or grackles not be "allowed to roam" -
there's laws against that, doggone it!!!! G

The animals you see in the "lost cat" posters haven't strayed from their
home territory - some fate has befallen them. Hit by a car, eaten by
predators, etc. In rare cases the animal has been taken in by someone or
brought to a shelter.

Because of their territorial nature you may not be successful in removing
your feral cat. The best way to control a feral population, say the
experts, is to capture, spay/neuter, notch an ear to indicate that
sterilization has been performed, and release the animal back to where it
was captured. Simply removing the cat will create a territorial "vacuum"
that will be filled by another feral cat.

If you really want to rid your yard of feral cats, get a cat of your own.
It will establish a territory around your house and keep ferals away. Of
course there will still be cat poop in your flower beds, but you can take
some consolation in the fact that at least it's *your* cat that's doing it!

For the record, I allow my cats outside but have a backyard that's fenced
"cat-proof" which they can't leave.

Mike Harris
Austin, TX