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 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.)
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.
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.
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…)
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.
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.
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.
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.
They could fence them in if they love them so much…
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
