# 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:** 3
### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/41 "2009-06-12T20:00:27Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> 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.
You’ve got a point. But as far as the bolded part, you might as well insist brides act rational and calm and men mow the lawn during the superbowl.
It also appears you’ve got all ready to go and DEAL with this NOW.
Like so many here on the dope, you’ve come asking for opinions and suggestions. Yet, already you are ready to go do battle!
What is the rush?
Some problems do need quick action. I dont see where this one does. Maybe a bit more time to assess the situation and meditate might be in order?
just my opinion
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### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/42 "2009-06-12T20:06:05Z")
> [@Pazu](#):
>
> Presumably, cat food left out on porches would attract all manner of scavengers.
Indeed it does. I didn’t know about the porch, since it’s surrounded by vegetation, but my friendly neighborhood UPS guy tipped me off to it. He was dropping off some chairs we got from [Target.com](http://Target.com) and mentioned that the neighbors keep their house and property immaculate, but he won’t go near the porch because he’s seen all manner of wildlife scavenging over there. He leaves their packages elsewhere.
The mess on the porch may have contributed to an incident I had with a raccoon in my shed a week or so ago. Again, we live across from a nature preserve, so maybe not, but my shed is pretty close to the property line I share with this neighbor, and the raccoon seemed really hesitant to leave. (Indeed, he left the hard way.)
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/43 "2009-06-12T20:07:00Z")
Sounds truly disgusting.
Let us know how the talk goes.
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/44 "2009-06-12T20:07:34Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> 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.
Many folks have suggested [TNR](http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/nycfci/). Why not give it a try? That way trapping the cat does not mean it will die.
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### Author:  [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/45 "2009-06-12T20:08:49Z")
> [@billfish678](#):
>
> Like so many here on the dope, you’ve come asking for opinions and suggestions. Yet, already you are ready to go do battle!
>
> What is the rush?
>
> Some problems do need quick action. I dont see where this one does. Maybe a bit more time to assess the situation and meditate might be in order?
>
> just my opinion
I don’t see where the OP asked for anyone’s opinion. He asked if someone could tell him why his neighbors feel compelled to act this way, but he I don’t see where he asked “What should I do.” It looks like a pitting to me.
I do agree with the last part, though. I try not to make huge waves immediately after arriving in a neighborhood unless it’s absolutely necessary.
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### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/46 "2009-06-12T20:10:27Z")
> [@billfish678](#):
>
> Like so many here on the dope, you’ve come asking for opinions and suggestions. Yet, already you are ready to go do battle!
>
> What is the rush?
No time like the present.
I am listening to the opinions I’m getting here, and I do consider them valuable. I didn’t know anything about these trap-neuter-release programs before I posted. So I guess that’s something.
I’m not heading out to do battle. I just want to make my position known. I’m hoping to soften things a bit and not be confrontational, but I do want to know that there’s a solution coming. I just paid a metric assload for this house and sharing it with a group of feral cats wasn’t what I had in mind when it came to enjoying my property.
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### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/47 "2009-06-12T20:13:47Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#):
>
> Many folks have suggested [TNR](http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/nycfci/). Why not give it a try? That way trapping the cat does not mean it will die.
I just don’t know how I feel about that right now. It seems like a good option in all aspects other than solving the problem. The cats come back, I still have cats in my yard and I get to sit around and wait until they die before I can enjoy my property. (When I was a kid, I had an indoor cat that lived 15 years. Seems like a long time to have to wait…)
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/48 "2009-06-12T20:21:56Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> I want to give them plenty of time to come up with something that works for everyone.
The problem is, if the only thing that will work for you is not having cats in your yard, there won’t be a solution to come up with. These cats are feral, they’re not pets, and they’re about as controllable as squirrels, it’s unrealistic to think that these folks will manage to keep the cats away from your property.
An option could be to use anti-cat technology to make your yard less desirable. Something like a motion activated sprinkler. Yes, it requires you to do the work and spend the money, but you may have both friendly neighbors and a cat free yard.
As to the timeframe, you don’t have to wait for the cats to die, you only have to wait for the old people to move to a condo in Florida.
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/49 "2009-06-12T20:22:44Z")
- Feral cats being fed by humans are living creatures that breed, but are only “part of nature” in a strictly literalist sense. In the sense of “I live across the steet from a nature preserve”, then feral cats are in fact an invasive species that is harmful to natural environments.
- Whereas there is certainly controversy surrounding the impact of feral cats on wildlife species, particularly birds, there is no doubt that cats will catch and kill native mammals and birds, and not just pests.
- I am of the opinion that those who feed feral cats and allow them to roam into the private property of others have no claim to those animals; they have no say over what happens to them if they wander to other areas.
- cats living in a rural, farmyard atmosphere on a large property are not equivalent to feral cats in a suburban area with small lots and gardens.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/50 "2009-06-12T20:25:07Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#):
>
> I don’t see where the OP asked for anyone’s opinion. He asked if someone could tell him why his neighbors feel compelled to act this way, but he I don’t see where he asked “What should I do.” It looks like a pitting to me.
>
> I do agree with the last part, though. I try not to make huge waves immediately after arriving in a neighborhood unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Your right about the first part.
As well as the second.
And of course, the OP should remember this when the now irritated neighbors go all old testament over something in the future that irritates the hell outa them, yet the OP doesnt see what the big deal is.
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/51 "2009-06-12T20:32:55Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> I just don’t know how I feel about that right now. It seems like a good option in all aspects other than solving the problem. The cats come back, I still have cats in my yard and I get to sit around and wait until they die before I can enjoy my property. (When I was a kid, I had an indoor cat that lived 15 years. Seems like a long time to have to wait…)
You’re right, and frankly, I would consider these cats to be a nuisance, and if my neighbors refused to do anything about it, they would be the ones causing the problem, not me. Either they are responsible for the cats or they are not. If they are, they need to control them, regardless of how difficult that may be. You made an excellent point earlier when you said they they did not want to do the tough part. That shouldn’t make it your problem.
---
### Author:  [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/52 "2009-06-12T20:49:43Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#):
>
> The problem is, if the only thing that will work for you is not having cats in your yard, there won’t be a solution to come up with. These cats are feral, they’re not pets, and they’re about as controllable as squirrels, it’s unrealistic to think that these folks will manage to keep the cats away from your property.
They could fence them in if they love them so much…
> [@](#):
>
> An option could be to use anti-cat technology to make your yard less desirable. Something like a motion activated sprinkler. Yes, it requires you to do the work and spend the money, but you may have both friendly neighbors and a cat free yard.
I don’t mind spending the money if it keeps the peace. However, I put in sprinkler systems for 15 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a motion-activated sprinkler. Are there other anti-cat technologies? Something similar to the hav-a-hart spray I used to use to keep deer away from my plants?
> [@](#):
>
> As to the timeframe, you don’t have to wait for the cats to die, you only have to wait for the old people to move to a condo in Florida.
They’re here to stay. That actually came out in our first conversation. The guy was actually in the same business I am - I think he was the CFO of an ad agency. They made enough money to stay on Long Island, so they’re here for the rest of their days.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/53 "2009-06-12T20:54:46Z")
I predict the old man next door will find a fondness for using his leaf blower at 5 am quite soon 🙂
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/54 "2009-06-12T20:57:36Z")
> [@THespos](#):
>
> They could fence them in if they love them so much…
Cats don’t fence in so good, not unless you would prefer living next to a house sized enclosure made of chicken wire.
> [@](#):
>
> I don’t mind spending the money if it keeps the peace. However, I put in sprinkler systems for 15 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a motion-activated sprinkler. Are there other anti-cat technologies? Something similar to the hav-a-hart spray I used to use to keep deer away from my plants?
I have to head out, but I found [this](http://landscaping.about.com/od/pestcontrol/a/cat_repellents.htm)on [About.com](http://About.com) that has some decent jumping off points.
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### Author:  [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/55 "2009-06-12T21:19:31Z")
A relative used Scarecrow motion activated sprinklers to good efffect against cats.
I also vote for using caution dealing with this situation. If they are the right kind of crazy, your neighbors may blame you when anything bad happens to ‘their’ cats. Leading to bad feelings all around the block.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/56 "2009-06-12T21:24:43Z")
Hey
You could always have Sailor and his clan move into the neighborhood and steal/adopt a few of em.
Apparently he is good with neighbor-neighbor relations as well 🙂
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/57 "2009-06-12T21:53:55Z")
> [@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.
But if they’re feral and full of disease, wouldn’t a quick, humane death be better than possibly being hit by a car, or having some asshole set a trap (lethal), or killed by a wild animal or shot?
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### Author:  [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/58 "2009-06-12T21:58:55Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#):
>
> I also vote for using caution dealing with this situation. If they are the right kind of crazy, your neighbors may blame you when anything bad happens to ‘their’ cats. Leading to bad feelings all around the block.
Hence my recommendation for dealing with the situation quietly (trap out of their sight, take to shelter). With any luck, the neighbors will notice that the cats are disappearing, but they won’t know why. You can even commiserate with them about it. 😉
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/59 "2009-06-12T22:03:18Z")
> [@Early\_Out](#):
>
> Hence my recommendation for dealing with the situation quietly (trap out of their sight, take to shelter). With any luck, the neighbors will notice that the cats are disappearing, but they won’t know why. You can even commiserate with them about it. 😉
Step 1 New neighbor moves in.
Step 2 Cats start disappearing.
Step 3 Anything but profit.
yeah, the crazy cat people will NEVER catch on :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-moved-in-next-to-the-crazy-cat-lady/499548/60 "2009-06-12T23:05:53Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#):
>
> You’re right, and frankly, I would consider these cats to be a nuisance, and if my neighbors refused to do anything about it, they would be the ones causing the problem, not me. Either they are responsible for the cats or they are not. If they are, they need to control them, regardless of how difficult that may be. You made an excellent point earlier when you said they they did not want to do the tough part. That shouldn’t make it your problem.
Yes. Why should anyone that just purchased a home have to put up with this? I know I wouldn’t. I agree with the OP to address the matter directly yet succintly and try to form a solution that doesn’t alienate the neighbors. If that doesn’t work, then take action yourself. Animal Control, traps, trap and release, whatever. Maybe you can convince the neighbors to take them in their home if they are so attached to them.
These nice older neighbors need to realize that their feeding of these cats is _causing_ the problem.
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