Cat/Neighbor etiquette question...

[TanyaLovesPooh]

The sprinklers sound like a great idea and you have every right to want them out of your yard. But I would not call animal control.

 

[nuke]

T

How about developing a sense of humor and reading what happygirl and the OP had to say about her reply? How about reading through the posts to find out that the issue had already been resolved?

How about I don't care. I still hate that response and it happens all the time.

 

[Jsme]

Ok, here's the sitch: my neighbors have cats. I don't.

You would think I do have cats, though, because their cats are always in my yard. Sleeping and shedding on my front porch rockers. Pooping in my flower beds. Hunting the birds who nest in my shrubs.

HOA rules say no cats may run loose. I know the neighbors have been cited for this, but they don't keep the cats under control.

My current solution is to open my door and tell the cats to scram whenever I see them. But, as I have a life, I can't spend all day at the front door, waiting for them to appear.

Cat owners, what is the etiquette here? I assume if one lets his cats roam, it is because he think that is a cat's right. I assume if one ignores requests to contain his cats, he thinks the rule is silly.

I haven't said anything about this to the neighbors, mostly because I am hesitant to make what is basically a cordial, wave hello, neighbor relation turn ugly.

So, do I say, please keep your cats off my property, then get steamed when they don't? Do I call animal control and ask for cat traps? If you were these people, what would be the best way to get a positive result?

I think if you do not like what their cats are doing then you will need to talk with your neighbor. I think you owe them this much. Of course expect them to get upset and still allow their cats to run around.

I have never lived in a city/county who had a leash law on cats. If your neighbors continue to allow the cats to run "wild" then call whatever department and turn them in. I would also document every thing I say to the neighbor and every time I call the city/county about the issue.

FYI I have 2 outdoor cats. My neighbor hates my cats but we do not have a leash law or anything stating they can not be outside. My cats have been vaccinated and are not threat to anyone. I have caught them kicking my cats and dogs. I have even caught their 11 yo daughter asking if she could attempt to run my dogs over with her 4 wheeler. Of course mom said yes. My dogs are inside dogs. They only go out to use the potty. I am outside with them and I keep them in my yard to potty but I do allow them to run a few minutes when we go out. They are not on a lease and there's no leash law in my county. I handled this situation one day when they were outside doing work in their yard, I stated very loudly that I was going to start taking my camera outside with me and taking pictures of my neighbors abusing the various cats and dogs in the neighborhood. I have had no problems since then. They are very rude people and we have attempted to talk with them before. When we were on vacation they hired someone to pour concrete in our yard to make their drive way have a larger turn. Can you say I do not like my neighbors?

 

[Planogirl]

My mother's cat who would NOT stay inside but yowled and scratched and did everything in his power to get out took care of a varmint problem in the area where she lived. If the neighbors didn't appreciate that!

I see outdoor cats a lot but they don't bother us. They never come in our yard that I'm aware of. If they did I wouldn't call animal control. I'm a big cat lover though.

Once we have cats again, I'm not sure what I'll do if we get a cat who wants to be outside.

 

[taximomfor4]

I haven't met a cat yet who was able to escape on a regular basis when the people involved were determined to keep them inside. I've known people whose cats escaped once after a moment of carelessness, but none who were able to outwit or overpower their humans enough to get out when the people were willing to go to the trouble to keep the cats inside. Between all the different training methods and the "airlock" approach, a cat would have to be smarter and stronger than it's people, or able to open doors, to be escaping on a regular basis. But maybe your cats are just exceptional! If you've tried everything under the sun and your cats are able to get out anyway, then you're being as responsible as you can and you shouldn't feel bad if they don't come home one day.

I don't have a cat that wanders around the neighborhood, but do have one that escapes (see my pp). I can't say my one cat who wants outside gets out on a regular basis, but she DOES get out. Airlock doesn't work for us, our home has no garage, no entryway, no foyer. We have a door. It leads outside. Putting her in another room whenever the door is going to be opened is impossible, she wouldn't have access to food or litterbox. I WILL say that if she were one that wandered the neighborhood, we'd have to keep her locked in someone's bedroom all day every day or something extreme like that. Luckily, she doesn't move more than 4 feet into our own yard to grab that mouthful of grass and roll in the sunshine for a minute.

With 4 children coming in and out of our open-floor-plan ranch-style house, the cat CAN escape sometimes.

I've ony known 1 person who lived in a neigborhood with close-together houses that allowed their cat to wander the neighborhood. That person came from another country (UK), and said that there, NOBODY has indoor cats...it just is not done. To him, cats were semi-pets...still somewhat wild.

ETA: My sister adopted a cat (indoors only, and neutered) that was SO determined to get out that he tore holes in their window screens big enough to escape through. Since sis had no air conditioning, she couldn't just close up all the windows all summer long. Before she moved out of that house (she rented), she had to pay to replace every single screen AND declaw the cat (she did NOT want to, but couldn't keep him if he kept tearing things to get out).

 

[Wall-E1]

So, do I say, please keep your cats off my property, then get steamed when they don't? Do I call animal control and ask for cat traps? If you were these people, what would be the best way to get a positive result?

You know, instead of a confrontation, you may want to consider this. Cats go great with rice noodles and a fish sauce, almost like a "cat pad thai"(I know, I know - bad poster. That joke was in bad taste(get it - bad taste)). Okay, with two jokes that have fallen flat, I would offer this advice. The first step is always to nicely explain the situation with the neighbor. They may not realize the issue their cat is causing and may be very apologetic to your situation and rectify the problem. If they don't take kindly to your situation, you then are left with one of two options. Try deterring the cats from your yard using suggestions that were put forth by other posters, or if you don't feel like dealing with them at all(which is perfectly fine), call animal control to gather up the cats and have their owners deal with getting them back.

I would like to think that the owners will be receptive to your situation. I look at it the same as if they were dogs. If someone were walking a dog on my grass everyday, I would be annoyed also. I understand that cats like to roam, but their owners need to understand the mess and smell that their pets are leaving on your property.

 

[Scurvy]

I don't have a cat that wanders around the neighborhood, but do have one that escapes (see my pp). I can't say my one cat who wants outside gets out on a regular basis, but she DOES get out. Airlock doesn't work for us, our home has no garage, no entryway, no foyer. We have a door. It leads outside. Putting her in another room whenever the door is going to be opened is impossible, she wouldn't have access to food or litterbox. I WILL say that if she were one that wandered the neighborhood, we'd have to keep her locked in someone's bedroom all day every day or something extreme like that. Luckily, she doesn't move more than 4 feet into our own yard to grab that mouthful of grass and roll in the sunshine for a minute.

With 4 children coming in and out of our open-floor-plan ranch-style house, the cat CAN escape sometimes.

I've ony known 1 person who lived in a neigborhood with close-together houses that allowed their cat to wander the neighborhood. That person came from another country (UK), and said that there, NOBODY has indoor cats...it just is not done. To him, cats were semi-pets...still somewhat wild.

ETA: My sister adopted a cat (indoors only, and neutered) that was SO determined to get out that he tore holes in their window screens big enough to escape through. Since sis had no air conditioning, she couldn't just close up all the windows all summer long. Before she moved out of that house (she rented), she had to pay to replace every single screen AND declaw the cat (she did NOT want to, but couldn't keep him if he kept tearing things to get out).

Okay, but this still sounds like a people problem rather than a cat problem. I understand that you are doing all that you are willing to in order to keep the cat inside. It's your cat, and your choice, and assuming there are no laws about the cats then you have every right to let it go outside occasionally. I'm not arguing for the sake of arguing, but just in case you really do want the cat to stay inside and you haven't considered the following, you do have other options. You could move the food and litter box to a different spot where the cat could be contained. You could train the cat to stay away from the door. You could build it an enclosure outside. You could train your kids to be more careful about the cat. You do have options, if you're more determined than the cat. If you aren't, then clearly the cat will escape sometimes.

As for your sister. . . that's very sad. I feel bad for the cat. It's a shame your sister wasn't able to train the cat to stay away from the windows. She could have put duct tape on the windowsills or on any furniture by the windows, or sprayed the cat when it approached the windows. When she moved, if she was moving to someplace with air conditioning, she didn't even have to train the cat. She could have just kept the windows closed or only opened them slightly. I'm surprised she resorted to declawing.

 

[jrmasm]

I think if you do not like what their cats are doing then you will need to talk with your neighbor. I think you owe them this much. Of course expect them to get upset and still allow their cats to run around.

I have never lived in a city/county who had a leash law on cats. If your neighbors continue to allow the cats to run "wild" then call whatever department and turn them in. I would also document every thing I say to the neighbor and every time I call the city/county about the issue.

FYI I have 2 outdoor cats. My neighbor hates my cats but we do not have a leash law or anything stating they can not be outside. My cats have been vaccinated and are not threat to anyone. I have caught them kicking my cats and dogs. I have even caught their 11 yo daughter asking if she could attempt to run my dogs over with her 4 wheeler. Of course mom said yes. My dogs are inside dogs. They only go out to use the potty. I am outside with them and I keep them in my yard to potty but I do allow them to run a few minutes when we go out. They are not on a lease and there's no leash law in my county. I handled this situation one day when they were outside doing work in their yard, I stated very loudly that I was going to start taking my camera outside with me and taking pictures of my neighbors abusing the various cats and dogs in the neighborhood. I have had no problems since then. They are very rude people and we have attempted to talk with them before. When we were on vacation they hired someone to pour concrete in our yard to make their drive way have a larger turn. Can you say I do not like my neighbors?

Do your cats stay on your property? Your dogs?

 

[MichelleVW]

FYI I have 2 outdoor cats. My neighbor hates my cats but we do not have a leash law or anything stating they can not be outside. My cats have been vaccinated and are not threat to anyone. I have caught them kicking my cats and dogs.

So you have caught your neighbor kicking your animals that roam free and you STILL think it's safe for your cats to be outside unattended??

Leash law or not...why is it ok for your animals to be in someone else's yard??

 

[kristilew]

OP here again. Wow, I had no idea this thread would get so much attention. Thank you for all your responses. I think I've gotten some good ideas.

Also, all you cat owners who have talked about keeping your cats in to keep them safe: that may make a good talking point for me to approach the neighbors. Being concerned about their cats' safety seems more polite to me than being annoyed by their rudeness.

On the other hand. Wall-E1's cat pad-thai is sounding good too

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We have a cat problem here too. I have replaced my flower beds twice, disassembled my veggie garden because they used it as a litter box, and my dh has to go and pooper scoop the yard before the kids can play out there. That is only a few problems we have had with the neighbor's cats. The list goes on and on. We are good neighbors and we try not to bother anyone but I can tell you that it is so annoying to have to go on poop patrol before your kids can even use your yard. We do not live in the country either.
I have tried mothballs and it is gross. It smells terrible and I don't want my kids playing in the yard with all the chemicals. We have tried pepper, again, nothing. I tired strong smelling sprays etc. Doesn't work. I have tried the hose, they still come back.
Here is what I would like to do.
I would like to use the hose or supersoaker on the neighbors each time the cats come here. Maybe if they were the ones getting sprayed everytime they would remember to keep their pets in their own yard. Can you imagine?
No- I wouldn't really do that and I like my neighbors but it is really frustrating. The only other option is to catch them and bring them to the pound. I won't do that because it is not the cat's fault that they have morons for owners.
OP- I have no real advice but hopefully someone can come up with something because it is really gross to have to deal with that.

 

[Anjelica]

I expect to get flamed for this but why in the world if you take on the responsibility of owning an animal and live in close proximity to others that you would ever think its acceptible to let your animal(s) run loose on others' properties?

I had two LARGE dogs (just one now as we had to put the other one down)and when I take them for a walk I don't even let them urinate, etc. on other's properties. I took the responsibility of having animals therefore its my responsibility to ensure they don't roam freely, defecate, etc. on others properties. Sorry - but I have good friends who own cats and they understand that philosophy as well - they took on the responsibility of cat ownership, chose to live in a neighborhood with close proximity to neighbors and they don't let their animals run loose.

 

[kristilew]

I expect to get flamed for this but why in the world if you take on the responsibility of owning an animal and live in close proximity to others that you would ever think its acceptible to let your animal(s) run loose on others' properties?

I had two LARGE dogs (just one now as we had to put the other one down)and when I take them for a walk I don't even let them urinate, etc. on other's properties. I took the responsibility of having animals therefore its my responsibility to ensure they don't roam freely, defecate, etc. on others properties. Sorry - but I have good friends who own cats and they understand that philosophy as well - they took on the responsibility of cat ownership, chose to live in a neighborhood with close proximity to neighbors and they don't let their animals run loose.

Please come build next to my house. I'll bring you a casserole to welcome you to the neighborhood. And a cat casserole for your large dog.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Please come build next to my house. I'll bring you a casserole to welcome you to the neighborhood. And a cat casserole for your large dog.

Make that a double!

 

[taximomfor4]

I expect to get flamed for this but why in the world if you take on the responsibility of owning an animal and live in close proximity to others that you would ever think its acceptible to let your animal(s) run loose on others' properties?

I had two LARGE dogs (just one now as we had to put the other one down)and when I take them for a walk I don't even let them urinate, etc. on other's properties. I took the responsibility of having animals therefore its my responsibility to ensure they don't roam freely, defecate, etc. on others properties. Sorry - but I have good friends who own cats and they understand that philosophy as well - they took on the responsibility of cat ownership, chose to live in a neighborhood with close proximity to neighbors and they don't let their animals run loose.

I own 4 cats, to be precise. The ONE that escapes (about 10x per year, usually in nicer weather when the kids are in and out the most), as I stated in a pp, doesn't wander more than several feet from our door. And we follow her when we know she got out, to bring her back in. If she actually tried to wander the neighborhood, we would have to take more drastic measures. But the farthest she's ever gone is into my driveway (and got scared, so climbed up under the hood where she got badly burnt later).

I didn't post what happens with my escaping cat to say that I like to LET her wander. I was just trying to explain how hard some cats are to keep strictly indoors. It's such a PITA that I am sure some people just give up the fight.

 

[Anjelica]

I own 4 cats, to be precise. The ONE that escapes (about 10x per year, usually in nicer weather when the kids are in and out the most), as I stated in a pp, doesn't wander more than several feet from our door. And we follow her when we know she got out, to bring her back in. If she actually tried to wander the neighborhood, we would have to take more drastic measures. But the farthest she's ever gone is into my driveway (and got scared, so climbed up under the hood where she got badly burnt later).

I didn't post what happens with my escaping cat to say that I like to LET her wander. I was just trying to explain how hard some cats are to keep strictly indoors. It's such a PITA that I am sure some people just give up the fight.

It doesn't sound like she wanders the neighborhood. I for one completely understand that pets get loose sometimes as well as most reasonable people do.

My post and bewilderment is more for those that I know let their cats run aimlessly throughout the neighborhoods. For the longest time I didn't understand why some people left their garage doors open a foot or two until recently I discovered this was the way the cat could come in and out of the house with no issues.

It's all about personal responsibility - you have a cat that doesn't leave your driveway and you grab it as quickly as you can after it escapes shows responsibility. We have a lack of that in our area.

It's sad because its not the cats fault as I see it. It's the owners fault and quite a few times the animal gets the short end of the stick (I've seen a few cat/kitten bodies out in front of our subdivision on a very busy road).

 

[SaraJayne]

Please come build next to my house. I'll bring you a casserole to welcome you to the neighborhood. And a cat casserole for your large dog.

 

[ginna74]

I that if you have pets they need to be controled at all times and they cant be if they are let to roam.

 

[luvsJack]

I guess the thought of these running through my back yard keeps the poor things inside and alive..

I have one cat that would love to go outside and we have to watch him when we open the doors because he likes to bolt outside...but since he is my favorite cat ever and we have coyotes run through the back yard he's staying inside and alive and not outside and coyote food!

Outside cats in my neighborhood don't last long...

Coyotes are such pretty animals! They don't come close enough around here to worry about them too much. If that was a concern I would probably do things differently with my cat. Here the only thing they have to worry about is getting too close to mama bird's nest.

My cat doesn't stay in because I don't try to keep her in. She likes going outside to run and play and so she is let out. Keeps our mouse population down quiet nicely and during the day she loves laying in the sun on the front porch. But, again, my cats aren't going to the neighbor's; just in the edge of the woods doing what comes natural to them.


I still think the OP should try talking to her neighbor and try the sprinklers. And the tips about using orange peels and stuff to keep them out of the flower beds works great too. We have gotten different ideas from the county agent to keep the cats out of our vegetable garden (I live semi-in the woods and we have strays that come through the yard every now and then and they cause more of an issue than my own cats). I just think doing something to prevent the problem may be more productive than making a neighbor angry over their cat.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You what really annoys me about the whole cat problem? Why should I have to spend money to keep someone else's pet out of my yard? If you own a pet then YOU own it and take care of it and be responsible. I do not want cats and that is why I don't have any. I don't want to clean up after anyone else's. I think people who let their cats run loose are irresponsible pet owners and completely rude. You might love your pet but I do not. I do not want to have to clean cat crap off my child's brand new sneakers because they were playing in their own backyard. I would like to have a vegetable garden with my kids but the cats think it is a litter box. That is gross and again- I DO NOT have cats. I should not have to clean up after someone else's pet.

I am sorry but this is a very sore subject for me as we have been dealing with this since we bought this house. Talking to the homeowners is pointless. I had pets all through growing up and they did not poop anywhere but in OUR yard and we cleaned it up. It's called being considerate for others.