My New Trap vs The Neighbor's Cats

I'm not sure how ethical this is, but I'm to the point I don't much care.

I've added 9 new cats to my family in less than 2 years. Kittens just keep showing up at my barn at 4-8 weeks of age. Three litters so far, all black or tuxedo, all somewhat tame. I asked the neighbor if they were missing some kittens. Nooooooo. According to them, their cats all stay down at their barn. They go deaf when I ask them if they've been altered.

So I bought a new trap, put it in the barn and started baiting it with soft food in the locked open position for a few days. The first night I set it I caught an all black male, maybe 7-8 years old by the vet's estimate. Had him neutered, vaccinated and let him go. Caught him again two nights later. (The dummy) Then I caught a female, kind of a dark siamese with white bib and feet. Vet estimates she's at least three. I think this was the baby factory, but I can't be certain. I guess time will tell.

I know these are the neighbors cats because I've seen them out in front of their house. (with the people) I can't get near them. I wish I knew if it is the mother cat(s) who are bringing the kittens over or if it's the neighbor guy. I would not be opposed to setting a trap for him either. I suppose the neuter thing is out of the question though.

I kind of wonder whether they'll say anything to me, or even notice. I kind of doubt it. But from now on, any of their cats that pay a visit to my barn will be going home with a new haircut.

Originally Posted by Cinder

I would not be opposed to setting a trap for him either. I suppose the neuter thing is out of the question though.

I kind of wonder whether they'll say anything to me, or even notice. I kind of doubt it. But from now on, any of their cats that pay a visit to my barn will be going home with a new haircut.

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Are you in town, or outside of town limits? Here, since it's rural, town limits can be a bit fuzzy and there are people within town limits with barns (or the more popular modern metal buildings).

If you're still in town limits, chances are there's a leash law. Usually it can be twisted around to be used for roaming cats. If they give you any problems see what ordinances are on your side. They should just be glad you don't haul the cats off to who knows where, call AC, or shoot/poison them like people do here.

Even though my cats are all altered I don't believe in letting them roam free. Between nut cases and actual good neighbors that don't deserve cat poo in their yard, it's just easier to keep them in or in my yard.

Good luck - I know it's frustrating to deal with someone else's mess. I wish other people would just be responsible for their pets, but many people just don't care.

I had the same problem at my old house - in a rural area and few people fixed their "barn cats", because they didn't want to have to go pay for one in a humane society to live outside (or so they told me).

So my rule was simply this: If you eat here, you are speutered, no questions asked. Oh darn if the baited trap was set near the property line. Once I started to do this, my cat population dropped down dramatically.

We live outside the city limits, as do the neighbors. I was actually afraid to push the issue with them because I thought the neighbor might shoot or poison them himself.

Since all my cats are altered and indoors, I know this problem is coming from somewhere else. The first litter I thought was just dumped. The second, which looks exactly like the first, made me go The third was when I bought the trap. Fortunately, the kittens have all been relatively healthy. I didn't test the ones I trapped, but nothing obvious showed up when they were examined. I had them vaccinated, although I don't know the one shot will provide enough protection. Better than nothing, I suppose.

I've seen both of the ones I released at least once since in our barn. I've been putting out a bowl of dry food daily thinking that if the altered ones stick around, they might keep others from coming across. Plus, I wanted them to have something to eat while they recouperated. I don't know if the neighbors even feed them. Does that sound like a good idea, or bad?

Existing cats that make an area there territory will sometimes prevent other cats from moving into the area. That said, the food can draw other unaltered cats. If you're willing to keep trapping, that's what we'd do - that way you will definitely cut down on any future kittens.

We did the same thing. If they eat here, they get trapped here. In the end, we ended up having to go around to convince all the local farmers to let us trap on their properties - there were just too many cats. One of them even ended up doing it (and paying for it *phew*) themselves. Around here, it was a matter of education. They never saw cats as "working animals" - just pests that ate other pests.

But from now on, any of their cats that pay a visit to my barn will be going home with a new haircut.

Good one! I live in a rural area but in a cluster of homes built around a lake. Anybody who comes on my property goes home with one less piece of equipment. Sometimes I wish I could do the same for some of the neighbors who adopt a kitten, then kick it out at 16 weeks or so. That's how we got two of our cats.

I am currently feeding at least three cats that "belong" to neighbors. I've had them all fixed and they are UTD on their shots. I doubt the neighbors ever even noticed.

It's good to know I'm not the only one who takes liberty with the neighbor's cats.

We've decided to continue feeding. We both go to the barn a couple times a day, so if we see anyone new we'll start putting the trap out again. It's not cheap, but testing, spaying and vaccinating those last nine kittens wasn't either. Our only concern is drawing other animals to the barn. You know, the unwelcome ones that are also black and white. I have a board across the top of one stall that they can either climb to get to, or jump down from the loft. I suppose it's only slightly better than putting it on the floor, but at least they'll have to work for it.

We were feeding the entire forest until we started putting food up on a slotted table and then for only an hour to two in the morning and at dusk. The cats adjusted to the schedule, and we stopped trapping (and feeding) so many skunks, racoons and possums.