Compassion and Patience are Key to Resolving the Problems Associated with Feral Cats
Are you are a home or business owner in Bensalem Township and nearby cat colonies have become a nuisance? Chance are, your complaints are both understandable and justified. In fact, township authorities and fellow citizens share your concerns, and addressing these issues thoughtfully is in the best interest of all involved. Unfortunately, as much as we all seek a "quick fix," there is no immediate way to effectively diminish feral cat colonies. Removing colonies has actually been shown to have the adversely intended effect, resulting in a population explosion as new cats move into unguarded territory to mate and reproduce.
While not putting an immediate end to the colony itself, stopping the breeding cycle of that existing colony through spaying and neutering can put an end to many of the problem behaviors and nuisances associated with unaltered cats. By eliminating mating behaviors, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) makes cats better neighbors, and multiple long-term studies of TNR have proven that the size of managed colonies does decrease over time.
Of course, time requires patience. And patience requires compassion. Remember that these cats are living creatures. They did not ask to be dumped or abandoned or destined to a life outdoors, but it is the hand that life dealt them. And, like all living things, they have the will and the desire to preserve their life, because it is all that they have. A wise man once said "On life's scale of values, the smallest is no less precious to the creature who owns it than the largest."
It is not uncommon for some neighbors to have as much - if not more - of a problem with colony caretakers as with the cats themselves. Whatever personal disputes may have transpired, remember that the cats' caregiver(s) did not create the feral cat problem. Rather, compassion toward animals prompted them to begin feeding hungry strays or colonies. While it may be difficult to understand, many caregivers bond with the cats and value their lives tremendously, even if they are not able to approach them or keep them as pets. Their primary intention is caring for the cats, not annoying or angering their neighbors. In Bensalem, we place the burden on caregivers to work together with frustrated home and business owners to help address their concerns through proven advice and actions. But, working together requires a willingness to listen on the part of both parties involved.
There are steps that you can take as a homeowner or business owner to minimize cat nuisances by keeping them off of your property:
To deter cats from digging in your garden or sleeping under your porch or in your shed, you can scatter fresh orange or lemon peels in the garden area, which cats don’t like. Other alternatives that deter cats: citrus-scented sprays, coffee grounds, cayenne pepper, vinegar, pipe tobacco, oil of lavender, peppermint oil, lemongrass, citronella and eucalyptus. In the garden, place chicken wire, plastic sheets, or plastic carpet runners spike-side up, covered lightly with soil. Cats will be unable to dig in the dirt. Holes can be cut for plants. These things can be removed later, after cats have stopped visiting.
Non-chemical cat and wildlife repellents are available at local stores. Coleus Canina and the herb Rue can be planted in and around gardens. Both plants have an odor that repels cats but does not bother humans. There are also a number of motion-activated animal repellents on the market that release ultrasonic signals inaudible to humans when triggered. Place physical barriers or seal the location the cats are entering with chicken wire or lattice. (Be sure to check for kittens first.)
Hungry cats look for food, so make sure your trash bags are placed in cans, not sitting outside to be torn open. Make sure lids fit tightly on cans. Hopefully, you can develop a mutually respectful communication with the caregiver(s) who may be feeding the cats in or near your neighborhood. Ask them to keep their feeding area neat and free of leftover food if it is attracting insects or raccoons. Feeding during daylight hours is another way to prevent vermin.
Finally, if nearby cats are fighting, yowling, spraying, roaming and having kittens, this could only mean one thing: those cats have not been spayed or neutered, either because the caregiver(s) in question does not realize that there are local TNR resources to assist them, or because they themselves do not subscribe to the benefits of TNR. Whatever their reasoning, they are perpetuating the problem. These are mating behaviors that are typical of all cats that have not been altered - behaviors that will stop once the cats are spayed or neutered. Contact Bensalem public safety and animal control authorities via their non-emergency hotline at 215-633-3700 to report any unaltered strays or colonies in your neighborhood so that a TNR program can be initiated. Cats who have been spayed or neutered can be identified by their left eartip.
While not putting an immediate end to the colony itself, stopping the breeding cycle of that existing colony through spaying and neutering can put an end to many of the problem behaviors and nuisances associated with unaltered cats. By eliminating mating behaviors, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) makes cats better neighbors, and multiple long-term studies of TNR have proven that the size of managed colonies does decrease over time.
Of course, time requires patience. And patience requires compassion. Remember that these cats are living creatures. They did not ask to be dumped or abandoned or destined to a life outdoors, but it is the hand that life dealt them. And, like all living things, they have the will and the desire to preserve their life, because it is all that they have. A wise man once said "On life's scale of values, the smallest is no less precious to the creature who owns it than the largest."
It is not uncommon for some neighbors to have as much - if not more - of a problem with colony caretakers as with the cats themselves. Whatever personal disputes may have transpired, remember that the cats' caregiver(s) did not create the feral cat problem. Rather, compassion toward animals prompted them to begin feeding hungry strays or colonies. While it may be difficult to understand, many caregivers bond with the cats and value their lives tremendously, even if they are not able to approach them or keep them as pets. Their primary intention is caring for the cats, not annoying or angering their neighbors. In Bensalem, we place the burden on caregivers to work together with frustrated home and business owners to help address their concerns through proven advice and actions. But, working together requires a willingness to listen on the part of both parties involved.
There are steps that you can take as a homeowner or business owner to minimize cat nuisances by keeping them off of your property:
To deter cats from digging in your garden or sleeping under your porch or in your shed, you can scatter fresh orange or lemon peels in the garden area, which cats don’t like. Other alternatives that deter cats: citrus-scented sprays, coffee grounds, cayenne pepper, vinegar, pipe tobacco, oil of lavender, peppermint oil, lemongrass, citronella and eucalyptus. In the garden, place chicken wire, plastic sheets, or plastic carpet runners spike-side up, covered lightly with soil. Cats will be unable to dig in the dirt. Holes can be cut for plants. These things can be removed later, after cats have stopped visiting.
Non-chemical cat and wildlife repellents are available at local stores. Coleus Canina and the herb Rue can be planted in and around gardens. Both plants have an odor that repels cats but does not bother humans. There are also a number of motion-activated animal repellents on the market that release ultrasonic signals inaudible to humans when triggered. Place physical barriers or seal the location the cats are entering with chicken wire or lattice. (Be sure to check for kittens first.)
Hungry cats look for food, so make sure your trash bags are placed in cans, not sitting outside to be torn open. Make sure lids fit tightly on cans. Hopefully, you can develop a mutually respectful communication with the caregiver(s) who may be feeding the cats in or near your neighborhood. Ask them to keep their feeding area neat and free of leftover food if it is attracting insects or raccoons. Feeding during daylight hours is another way to prevent vermin.
Finally, if nearby cats are fighting, yowling, spraying, roaming and having kittens, this could only mean one thing: those cats have not been spayed or neutered, either because the caregiver(s) in question does not realize that there are local TNR resources to assist them, or because they themselves do not subscribe to the benefits of TNR. Whatever their reasoning, they are perpetuating the problem. These are mating behaviors that are typical of all cats that have not been altered - behaviors that will stop once the cats are spayed or neutered. Contact Bensalem public safety and animal control authorities via their non-emergency hotline at 215-633-3700 to report any unaltered strays or colonies in your neighborhood so that a TNR program can be initiated. Cats who have been spayed or neutered can be identified by their left eartip.