Big Scare

This morning me and my husband went outside to go for our morning walk. He just happened to glance toward our back yard and said there is a bobcat in our yard. WELL, he was not just in our yard. He was inside our cat enclosure. The two cats were nowhere to be seen. My husband scare him away with the 22. My cats were safe and hidden inside their insulated box where they sleep. I am not sure if they saw the cat. They were noticeably spooked, but that could have been because of the gun shots. Anyway, we have lived here three years and have never had anything get inside the fence enclosure where they are before now. I am glad hubby was home.

Wow, thank heavens for hubbies eh!?

Are bobcats common where you are?

Wow -much more wildlife seems to be appearing around here too. My neighbor saw a fox last week deer hunting by our houses. My nephew saw many coyotes while he was deer hunting about 40 miles north of here.
Glad that the cats weren't harmed.

I am soooo glad your cats are safe, that was a close call..

Originally Posted by Purity

Wow,

thank heavens for hubbies eh!?

Are bobcats common where you are?

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Well, it is not something you see everyday here, but we knew they were all around us. I have lived here three years and have never seen one in the yard before. It worries me because we live on three acres that is really in the middle of a field. It is all farmland passed down in my family for generations. I don't know why he would have come across the fence where the cats are. But we know there are bears, deer, panthers, bobcats and Lord knows what else in these woods around here. I just am thankful my cats are okay. I have a big cat cage I will probably open and put in the garage for a night or two to make sure that big cat isn't coming back. My husband didn't kill it.

Wow!!, a scare indeed!!..maybe you should contact the local wildlife authourities in your area just to make them aware of what happened.

I'm so glad that you and your kitties weren't hurt.

Originally Posted by Miss Mew

Wow!!, a scare indeed!!..maybe you should contact the local wildlife authourities in your area just to make them aware of what happened.

I'm so glad that you and your kitties weren't hurt.

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We live in such a country area, I am not sure such a thing exists.

That is scary. Thank goodness your cats managed to hide out in their box. I wonder if the bobcat was looking for prey or a mate?

Originally Posted by jcat

That is scary. Thank goodness your cats managed to hide out in their box. I wonder if the bobcat was looking for prey or a mate?

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There is a huge pecan tree inside the fence and my husband told me there was probably a coon or something in it. But since then, I have been reading on the internet some and it does say that bobcats will attack and prey on domestic cats. I have a big cat cage and I set it up in the garage. My cats will be spending some nights there long enough for me to make sure he isn't still hanging around here.

Wow-thank goodness for your husband!!
I would have been so scared- Good thing your kitties didn't get hurt!

Wow. Maybe your little cats aren't safe anymore. Do you think the bobcat is hungry?

I'd have passed out!!!!!!! I'm soooooo glad your babies are ok!

Back when I lived in the Carolinas an ex-boyfriend George asked me to come over to his somewhat rural place. Just after dark he showed me why. There was a Bobcat making regular visits to his front yard. And she had kits! She didn't seem to mind us at all. We were only about ten feet from them. I think she took them out for a hunting lesson. One of the kits got quite close and started growling threats and batting in our direction. It was funny but worried me. I was afraid mom would think we were a threat to her kid. But she looked bored as she came close enough to pick the fierce little kitling up by the scruff and tote him away. I was in awe. I've never been so close to a big cat in the wild.

Yes, they can attack housecats. I don't know if that would be rare in N.C. or not. Wild game there is very plentiful. Really I wouldn't take the chance. I just hope there is a way to resolve the issue without harming the wildcat, or putting your kitties at risk.

I wonder if it would hurt a housecat if it wasnt provoked? I would guess it wouldnt/i doubt they would see a housecat as food I think they are too similar. I would think the only the bobcat would attack if it felt threatened by a housecat but this is just a guess. BUT I certainly wouldnt take ANY chances.

Oh my gosh! So now what are you gonna do? Are you scared that if there is one...then maybe there are more???
I`m glad yourfurbabies are OK!
Linda

touro 1979 -I read on the internet that bobcats and coyotes, which we have both, do prey on and attack domestic cats for food. But where I live there is so much wildlife, I would think they could find plenty in the woods without coming out in the open. You have to understand I live on a big piece of land 3 acres all cleared and it sits in the middle of a field. So that bobcat had to come across three or four acres of field where beans are planted to even get in my yard.
And Linda, answering your question, yes I think there is more than one. There are probably many around here. I just have seen the one on our land though. I have a big wire animal cage and the cats are in that inside our garage. I will probably put them there at night for awhile to make certain that cat isn't coming back. If he comes back, my husband will have no choice but to shoot it. I hate that, but if he gets caged inside our fence again, he is a dangerous animal. He nearly destroyed our fence trying to get out. But what we are hoping is it scared him so bad he won't come back.

Thank God your husband scared off the bobcat! I'm so glad your kitties are safe and sound! I'll be praying that no more unwanted visitors come around!!

Please don't shoot the cat till you try other options.

How bout contacting these guys?

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

They may be able to help. It's worth a try.

Originally Posted by Bugaboo1

. I have a big wire animal cage and the cats are in that inside our garage. I will probably put them there at night for awhile to make certain that cat isn't coming back. If he comes back, my husband will have no choice but to shoot it. I hate that, but if he gets caged inside our fence again, he is a dangerous animal. He nearly destroyed our fence trying to get out. But what we are hoping is it scared him so bad he won't come back.

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Why not put your kitties inside? that way the bobcat wont't be tempted to hurt them. and as far as shooting it, why not shoot in the air and frighten it off that way?

Originally Posted by jugen

Why not put your kitties inside? that way the bobcat wont't be tempted to hurt them. and as far as shooting it, why not shoot in the air and frighten it off that way?

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My cats can't be inside because my husband has serious allergies to cats.
I have no choice but to keep them outside enclosed in our fence. He did shoot into the air and scared off the bobcat. It will not be shot unless we feel it is threatening us or our property. The problem was it got in our fence and could not get out. We have a four ft. chain link fence with something called a cat fence in system installed around the top. It keeps other cats out and our cats in.