# Yeah, I moved in next to the Crazy Cat Lady
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [June 12, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548 "2009-06-12T14:17:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/21 "2009-06-12T16:37:54Z")
I had a feeling you’d appear in this thread, **CrazyCatLady**. It’s almost like you were called! 😃
I agree that if the population is stable, it’s likely that the cats are spayed/neutered, and that they’ll vanish by attrition (hopefully NOT to be replaced by a new population.)
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### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/22 "2009-06-12T16:50:09Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#):
>
> And in the meantime, be glad they’re not shitting in your flowerbeds or stomping around on your windshield.
About that… They are in the flowerbeds, so I’m guessing they’re shitting in there, too, although we’ve only been in the house a couple weeks and I haven’t gotten around to digging around in my flowerbeds yet. And if the pawprints on my truck’s hood are any indication, they’re curling up near my motor for warmth after I get home from work at night. (It’s been unseasonably cool out here. Downright chilly at night.)
It’s important to me that I try to preserve the relationship, but if it comes down to it, I’d rather be catless and next to enemies than putting up with the cats and living next to friends.
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### Author:  [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/23 "2009-06-12T16:53:12Z")
> [@mswas](#):
>
> Eh, when I lived in the country we did this. All the barn cats that became friendly got fed. It was nice. No big deal.
>
> I really don’t see it being that much of a problem. You just need to learn to accept the cats as being part of your neighborhood.
Eh, it’s like when I lived in a downtown high-rise and we’d save money on water by hanging our asses out the window to take a shit. I guess it kind of sucked for the residents who got hot fudge spray all over their balcony furniture, but I lived in the penthouse so it was no big deal.
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### Author:  [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/24 "2009-06-12T16:54:14Z")
> [@Jester](#):
>
> Key phrase bolded. I’m going to take a wild guess and say that you had more property to work with than **THespos’** neighbors, and therefore your cats had more room to roam without interfering with the neighbors.
They roamed everywhere. “interfering with the neighbors” is entirely subjective. Lets just say that in the culture where I lived this issue just didn’t even come up really.
I mean this just strikes me as more, “Nature is encroaching upon my well-manicured existence.” stuff that we see.
**THespos** needs to decide whether he values the relationship with his neighbors more or whether he wants the cats gone more.
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### Author:  [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/25 "2009-06-12T16:55:14Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#):
>
> Eh, it’s like when I lived in a downtown high-rise and we’d save money on water by hanging our asses out the window to take a shit. I guess it kind of sucked for the residents who got hot fudge spray all over their balcony furniture, but I lived in the penthouse so it was no big deal.
Subpar, you can do better.
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/26 "2009-06-12T16:57:42Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> if it comes down to it, I’d rather be catless and next to enemies than putting up with the cats and living next to friends.
Good luck with that.
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/27 "2009-06-12T17:05:52Z")
> [@mswas](#):
>
> They roamed everywhere. “interfering with the neighbors” is entirely subjective. Lets just say that in the culture where I lived this issue just didn’t even come up really.
>
> I mean this just strikes me as more, “Nature is encroaching upon my well-manicured existence.” stuff that we see.
>
> **THespos** needs to decide whether he values the relationship with his neighbors more or whether he wants the cats gone more.
But they aren’t nature. They’re domesticated cats who are now feral. It’s like saying that homeless people who get out of hand when you won’t give them money are just Nature’s Way.
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#):
>
> Be prepared for giant roaches now that the weather has warmed up. The good news is they’ll probably stay near the feeding areas.
Also…cats attract giant roaches?! If I lived there, the shelter would have already been called. ::shudder::
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### Author:  [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/28 "2009-06-12T17:08:37Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> Also…cats attract giant roaches?! If I lived there, the shelter would have already been called. ::shudder::
Presumably, cat food left out on porches would attract all manner of scavengers.
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### Author:  [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/29 "2009-06-12T17:11:59Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> But they aren’t nature. They’re domesticated cats who are now feral. It’s like saying that homeless people who get out of hand when you won’t give them money are just Nature’s Way.
Out of hand in this case seems to be, “I am made aware of their existence occasionally.”
They are nature, they are living creatures that breed. Do people similarly complain about squirrels in their yards? My Grandma fed squirrels and birds in her backyard for many years. And she also complained about the neighbor’s cat.
> [@](#):
>
> Also…cats attract giant roaches?! If I lived there, the shelter would have already been called. ::shudder::
Actually cats keep roaches out if they are in your apartment. He’s trying to say that this couple has a sloppy porch full of food that will attract roaches.
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/30 "2009-06-12T17:16:59Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> But they aren’t nature. They’re domesticated cats who are now feral.
Exactly, people have caused them to be in the “wild” and now it is up to people to deal with the problem. What the OP wants to do, which is essentially to round them all up and kill them, is not a sustainable answer. It’s hard to catch cats who haven’t been fed regularly, and it’s even harder to get homeowners to help identify populations to be killed. The cats get more sick, spread more disease and have more litters to deal with.
TNR manages the populations, and makes the effort to minimize the impact, keeps the population low by actively seeking out cats to be neutered, instead of waiting for the population to explode and irritate the shit out of everyone.
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### Author:  [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/31 "2009-06-12T18:27:20Z")
> [@mswas](#):
>
> :rolleyes:
>
> Hypochondriality
Reality.
From Wictionary:
hypochondria (plural hypochondrias) (medicine) A psychological disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness.
From Princeton Wordnet:
(n) hypochondria , hypochondriasis (chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments)
From Merriam-Webster:
hy·po·chon·dria
extreme depression of mind or spirits often centered on imaginary physical ailments ; specifically : hypochondriasis
My objections were mostly aesthetic: noise, stink, and nuisance animals & vermin getting into places people don’t want them to be.
I never implied roaches are dirty or carry disease. However, many people dislike them. Outdoor feeding of cats in temperate climates attracts large numbers of roaches during the warm season. Some of the roaches get motherfucking huge on a steady diet of cat food.
Toxoplasmosis is recognized as a risk to pregnant women. Doctors advise them to not clean cat litter boxes because of it. Feral cats are more likely to carry toxoplasma than indoor cats. Furthermore the risk of transmission from exposure to an area indiscriminately shat upon is small but easily avoidable. Therefore it is reasonable for a small portion of the population to take such simple precautions.
From the OP, it seems that this is a typical suburban neighborhood, with distances between houses measured in tens of feet, not tenths of miles. If I am incorrect, I beg the OP’s pardon. The community standards of such a place are considerably different than those ‘out in the country’. It would be foolish to object to the barn cats at a neighboring farm.
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### Author:  [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/32 "2009-06-12T18:32:02Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#):
>
> Be thankful you’re not living next door to the [rat ladies!](http://www.laweekly.com/2008-07-31/news/rathouse-of-the-palisades/)
:eek:
What an absolutely horrifying and yet completely riveting story. I kind of wish it would have gone to trial on the chance that pictures from inside the house would have surfaced; as horrible as I could imagine it being, I have the feeling it couldn’t begin to do the reality of it justice.
I’m still unsure though, are the sisters still living there? How is it that the house wasn’t ordered to be torn down? I can’t imagine any amount of renovating could salvage it.
Sorry for the hijack, but damn… ☹
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### Author:  [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/33 "2009-06-12T18:34:57Z")
They are killing moles, mice and rats. They are performing a service for you. Otherwise they would get into your house.
I found a feral cat a few years ago. He was a kiity. When he grew up there was no keeping him in. At that time we has a beginning rat problem in the neighborhood. He cleaned them out. He left dead rats all over. They have never returned. He also killed meeces and some birds.
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### Author:  [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/34 "2009-06-12T18:43:06Z")
> [@gonzomax](#):
>
> They are killing moles, mice and rats. They are performing a service for you. Otherwise they would get into your house.
> I found a feral cat a few years ago. He was a kiity. When he grew up there was no keeping him in. At that time we has a beginning rat problem in the neighborhood. He cleaned them out. He left dead rats all over. They have never returned. He also killed meeces and some birds.
Yes, but that was _one_ cat.
In the OP, there is no more rat problem. It’s a cat problem. Damn things all over the place.
Someone needs to start hoarding coyotes. Then lions or something.
[Simpsons Reference]
Skinner: Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
Lisa: But isn’t that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we’re overrun by lizards?
Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They’ll wipe out the lizards.
Lisa: But aren’t the snakes even worse?
Skinner: Yes, but we’re prepared for that. We’ve lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
Lisa: But then we’re stuck with gorillas!
Skinner: No, that’s the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.
[/SR]
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### Author:  [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/35 "2009-06-12T18:45:58Z")
> [@Early\_Out](#):
>
> Set up some humane traps on your property, out of sight of the neighbors. When you catch one of the little darlings, take it to the shelter. They might be too feral to adopt out, but it’s better than simply shooting them.
I agree with this approach. You’d be doing them - cats and neighbors - a favor. Just don’t mention it to the neighbors. Cats on your property are fair game for trapping. I say this as owner of indoor/outdoor cats (mine are neutered and vaccinated). Fortunately for me my neighbors are cat lovers too.
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### Author:  [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/36 "2009-06-12T19:04:50Z")
> [@maladroit](#):
>
> I agree with this approach. You’d be doing them - cats and neighbors - a favor. Just don’t mention it to the neighbors. Cats on your property are fair game for trapping. I say this as owner of indoor/outdoor cats (mine are neutered and vaccinated). Fortunately for me my neighbors are cat lovers too.
Taking a feral cat to a shelter is essentially a death sentence. So no, they would _not_ be doing the cats a favor. Not to mention that doing this behind the neighbors’ backs is not a very neighborly thing to do.
I’m going to repeat myself (and others): TNR. Look into it.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/37 "2009-06-12T19:27:17Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> The cats are wild. They emerge from our bushes and startle my wife when we come home at night.
Careful - too many false alarms and you won’t react to the xenomorph until it’s too late.
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/38 "2009-06-12T19:34:49Z")
> [@Wheelz](#):
>
> Taking a feral cat to a shelter is essentially a death sentence. So no, they would _not_ be doing the cats a favor. Not to mention that doing this behind the neighbors’ backs is not a very neighborly thing to do.
>
> I’m going to repeat myself (and others): TNR. Look into it.
I agree that TNR is the thing to do, but if these cats belong to the neighbors, they need to keep them of the OP’s property, said behavior also being distinctly un-neighborly. If they do not belong to the neighbors, then whatever the OP does is not going behind anyone’s back.
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### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/39 "2009-06-12T19:50:19Z")
> [@mswas](#):
>
> I mean this just strikes me as more, “Nature is encroaching upon my well-manicured existence.” stuff that we see.
If you’ve ever hung out with me at a Dopefest, you’d know I have nothing that even approaches a “well-manicured existence.” I’m normally pretty easygoing. We live right across the street from a nature preserve and I like that.
This isn’t “nature,” though. These are someone’s former pets (or descendants of former pets) that wouldn’t exist here if it weren’t for someone providing them with a regular food source. She’s basically adopted the stance that these are kinda, sorta her pets, but she’s only taken up responsibility for the feeding them and keeping them around part. She hasn’t done the tough part - making sure they’re healthy, making sure their breeding is under control, and making sure they don’t go in my yard. To me, that’s selfish, assumptive and rude.
> [@](#):
>
> **THespos** needs to decide whether he values the relationship with his neighbors more or whether he wants the cats gone more.
I pretty much have. Now I’m just waiting for them to come home from wherever they are so I can have the talk.
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### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/40 "2009-06-12T19:58:01Z")
> [@maladroit](#):
>
> I agree with this approach. You’d be doing them - cats and neighbors - a favor. Just don’t mention it to the neighbors. Cats on your property are fair game for trapping. I say this as owner of indoor/outdoor cats (mine are neutered and vaccinated). Fortunately for me my neighbors are cat lovers too.
That’s what makes this tough. I don’t think my neighbor understands what keeping a pet (responsibly) entails. So she’s straddling the line between “These are my pets” and “I’m not responsible for them because they came from the wild.”
I don’t feel comfortable simply trapping them and taking them to the shelter without giving warning, because in all likelihood the cats will be destroyed if I do that, and I wouldn’t do that to someone if their expectation (no matter how out-of-whack that expectation is) was that I should treat these cats like her housepets insofar as I shouldn’t call animal control on her while the cats are prowling around in my yard. Nor do I feel comfortable with the status quo, either.
So I think the solution is to go have a talk. Explain myself and see if they understand my point of view. Depending on how the conversation goes, I can give them fair warning them that as of a certain date, I’ll be trapping them if they’re still in the yard. Or I can give them a bit of a grace period and then give the warning. I want to give them plenty of time to come up with something that works for everyone.
But not too long. I think I mentioned my wife skeeves out easily. She’ll run screaming from a dead mouse or mole left on the porch, so something’s gotta give.
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