I would hope you're being fascitious. Otherwise, eduate yourself and share in the
blessings of the merciful as Albert Schweitzer once wrote.

@$$andNonsense -

So, because you neglected to watch your child closely enough, you're blaming the wild animal for having bit your child - yeah, you're a real piece of work alright!

Maybe we should just wipe out all threats to your child so that you can be a lazy as you desire in your child's upbringing - that would definitely solve your problem! Just be sure to say hello to your kid for Hoffa when you're visiting him in prison due to years of child neglect from his father!

Get a clue!

Huffer (hair spray or starting ether?)

A childless 34 year old preaching about child rearing. Really?? YOU are the piece of work. Need the manual?

So you admit a feral cat is a wild animal, like possums, coons, skunks and other potentially disease carrying wildlife. Are you claiming to be St. Francis of Assisi? Ever see what 2 or 3 coon hounds do to cats or other critters when doing business in the "wilds" like where you claim to grow up? It isn’t pretty. You would scream like a panty waist girly man.

Yes, I have a clue. When the cross hairs cover the desired location, carefully squeeze the trigger. My son is a good shot too.

$$ loves your nonsense! Please send more because you are getting to be fun!

Don't forget to check out my other postings for you as well!

Auf Wiedersehen!

$$andNonsense -

Sounds like you prefer life to look like scenes from Deodato's Cannibal Holocaust (1980) - must be the German in you!

Hoffa is more like Sean Patrick Flanery in the film Powder (1995)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uz80zTMO40

You and your offspring could actually learn a lot from Powder - perhaps you should check it out!

Try Alley Cat Allies ... they have been around for decades and have reams of
information about feral cats/feral colonies and more. YOU need to educate
thineself and not display your blatant ignorance about 'declaw'..... my God, it's
a 'manicure'.....they remove the FIRST JOINT OF EVERY TOE.
It's as if someone amputated the first joint of every one of your toes on your
feet or your hands; then told you, "Go learn to walk again without pain or work
with your hands with the first joint of every finger missing."

Speaking of WITCH, you are cold-blooded and need to think less than one-
dimensional !

@Jim Price -- I managed to tame two truly feral cats, but it did it when they were juveniles, six months to one year old. They remained shy cats who needed careful handling to keep them socialized. I also know of two ferals adopted as kittens who are very sociable. It can be done, but it takes more understanding and dedication than the casual adoptive owner possesses.

Having lived in the sticks all his life, it was common for Hoffa's family to 'adopt' whatever feral cats would come into the yard. And as the author pointed out, they were also community cats, frequently traveling from farm to farm as if they were on a regular route. Most would come inside the house for a visit. Hoffa used to frequently cuddle up next to one in a blanket while watching movies. And while they may kill songbirds, they are also effective (via hunting and spraying) in controlling the rodent (mice, voles, racoons, etc) populations around your property.

LOL -- you too, Hoffa? My rule of thumb is that if they look like they want a home, they get to come inside, get neutered, and be pets. If they steer clear of me, I let them be.

We had a tomcat (Ol' Black Magic) who hung around our place for about five or six years. He slept in our barn and i never fed him. The last summer he was with us I discovered a female cat with a litter of kittens out there, and to my great surprise, Magic was helping to raise them. The mother actually allowed him to take the kittens away on teaching/hunting trips and bring them back an hour later. I'd been taught that toms kill kittens, but I figured if she was cool with it . . . They must have been his, and he knew it.

I eventually brought the mother and kittens into the house (I still have two of them, alive at age 18). Ol' Black Magic stood and watched while I let his wife and kids onto my sun porch and shut the door behind them.

@Randy1949 -

Hoffa has had very similar experiences and followed the same rule about whether or not the cats were allowed in the house. However, we did provide food for the cats outside, as others with barns in the area would do the same and we wanted the cats around to help control the 'vermin' population around our property. While giving them food made them less apt to hunt, it still kept them around and the vermin population was pretty much kept in check for the most part.

There was one cat that actually ended up at our house because he stowed away in the engine bay of the car. That cat would only permit Hoffa to pick him up, but none of the other family members.

At Hoffa's parents' house, they are currently down to one feral cat that does not come into the house. That's down from a high of about 20 feral cats. Only 4 of the feral cats were ever allowed into the house. Where Hoffa's parents live, it's not uncommon for the feral cats to get trampled to death by horses or herds of grazing cattle.

At Hoffa's house, Hoffa has a strictly indoors domesticated cat, adopted from the Humane Society, but no feral cats, despite being in an area even more rural and desolate than his parents. So to control the 'vermin' population, Hoffa released a bunch of snakes, and surprisingly, they do just as good of a job as the cats! Hoffa just needs to watch out for the snakes when mowing the lawn, as he doesn't want to hit any with the mower!

@Craig -- How did you know that cat you were shooting was feral rather than someone's pet out for a stroll?

Feline leukemia is not 'highly' contagious. It is spread through contact with body fluids -- bites, grooming, sharing food or litter.

This is why my cats are kept indoors.

Randy: In the Nicolet National forest it is unlikely to see a pet cat out for a stroll. Feline leukemia can be spread by spitting- which is what cats do when they hiss at eachother.
I have two cats. One was a woodpile kitten that the humane society had to evaluate to be sure she could tolerate people. She is a crabass, but has times she is sweet and loving. But she was put into contact with people at 6 weeks old, if she had not- she would not have been adoptable.
I have been warned by the Vet that feline leukemia can be spread through a screen.

Amen Craig, same credo here. If you love your cat, dog, whatever, keep it in your house or yard or reap the unfortunate consequences of those who do not share your passions. Why is personal responsibility such a bad thing? Not you Craig, but for those that equate pets with children, well, they are just disconnected.

Maybe you needed a better teacher. Sounds like killing and not hunting.

Agreed!

This is true. Feral cats (unlike strays) avoid human beings at all costs.

@Cindi -

$$andNonsense is little more than a spinster - it's best to ignore him!

Well Cindi multi name- the cat jumped a 6 foot privacy fence in broad daylight, landed in our yard to crap in our daughter's sand box as it had done repeatedly many times before, and as any 3 year old would do "wanted to pet the kitty" and got bit. It all happened in under 30 seconds with my wife sitting there in disbelief 'cause she isn't Wonder Woman like you to avert the issue in seconds. The local badges knew of this ongoing situation long before and shrugged it off. "Talk to the owners" they said. Right. Drunken retrobate renters with non-licensed pets. The whole reason I put the fence up. Now you and libtard childless Doofa can take up the cause of this s--t that keeps going many times over. I dealt with the problem. finis feline.

@$$andNonsense -

It's not that Hoffa's a "libtard," far from it in fact if you ever bothered to read any of Hoffa's comments.

It's just that Hoffa realizes that animals are innocent, while man is capable of betrayal, malicious behavior, back-stabbing, lying, disrespect, etc... basically evilness.

You admit that your problem lies with the cat's owner, and yet you killed the innocent cat. If you were any kind of a real man, you would have killed the negligent owners, as they're the ones who committed the harm against you and your offspring - not the poor cat!

The fact that you don't realize and apparently can't see the reality of this earns you a very special award:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h0rSTRrQeQ

Congratulations - douche bag of the year!

I agree. If they have a tag..LEAVE THEM ALONE.

I always chuckle when people who are losing the argument have to change the topic. I thought this was about cats and now Kathy says $and$ense is going to start attacking people!

The post is about feral cats. $and$ense just talked about killing a cat that turned out not to be feral. Strays and roaming pets are more likely to bite than ferals. Ferals are more likely to run away or not be seen in the first place.

Strays, when captured and taken to the shelter, are usually adoptable. Ferals -- probably not.

I am not going to debate over teminology used, he called the cat free running I don't know if it was someones pet or feral. The point is if you own a cat keep it indoors, then it will not bite anyone, kill wildlife, get attacked by animals, get hit by a car or be confused for a stray, wild or feral cat.

The terminology is very important. Ferals -- born wild to wild parents having no early contact with human beings -- are different from strays or outdoor cats that have owners. I can tell the difference in the cats that show up at my place. There are some that have obviously had homes at some point. The ferals don't want any part of me. The strays may cry at the door and ask for help, or they may be shy at first and take some coaxing.

The way they interact with human beings is entirely different, and that's why ferals are poor adoption prospects. I agree with you that cats should be kept indoors. It's too dangerous for them otherwise.

What $$andNonsense failed to mention is that his home and family life is much like the one depicted in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

Best to ignore him - he's a spinster that likes to think that he's always right and everyone else is always wrong. We're pretty sure that he's a transplant from either Cook or Lake County IL, as he comes off just like an arrogant, ignorant, and egotistical flat-lander!

Read my REAL story above Katty. My name is not important. No bold comments, not a coward, just facts. Love your cats, dogs, whatever. I do not care. Keep them in your yard, house, etc. I do not trespass on your property and cause harm, keep you pets out of mine and respect the same.

@Interesting -- Cats do not kill for 'amusement' any more than dogs do. It is instinct that serves their survival. It is also very useful for the removal of any mouse that finds its way into the best kept of homes.

On that score, cats prefer to eat rodents. That is what cats have always done for human beings, and they keep urban vermin in check. Birds are hard for a cat to catch, and any bird that does get caught is following Darwin's principle -- it's weak or it nested in a vulnerable place.

Anyone who lets an intact cat roam is nuts. just nuts. You'll get kittens and lots of them if your cat isn't killed first. As for spaying my cat? Please! After spending close to $900 spaying an adult cat (with complications) two years ago, that might have been a benefit of letting her wander. (Just kidding -- I never would.)

I probably don't feel as strongly as Kathy does. I just happen to know a lot about feline behavior. Cats are just one predator out of many when it comes to birds. In urban areas they keep the rodent population in check. I tolerate feral cats in the same manner as I tolerate the pack of coyotes that live in my woods. Just leave hem alone.

@Randy1949 -

Having the feral cats, coyotes, and other wild animals all around his house, Hoffa fully concurs with your 'leave them alone' mantra!

We have deer too, and one wild turkey, all of which may fall prey to disease, starvation and being hit by cars. That's life for a wild animal, so I'm in no hurry to trap them and have them put down as a mercy. I figure the cats can live whatever life they can eke out.

@Randy1949 -

Hoffa has deer in the yard almost nightly, as there's a large woods just behind Hoffa's house and Hoffa's is the only house within 2 square miles. Hoffa also has possums, coons, woodchucks, porcupines, etc.

One night, Hoffa had watched too many horror films. As Hoffa's house is so isolated, that night, he dreamed that a guy wearing a hockey mask carrying a large ax was coming out from the foggy woods. Hoffa woke up and his sheets were drenched in sweat! Scarey stuff!

I never saw a deer for the first forty years we lived here -- when it was really country. Now that it's urban sprawl, my woods and back yard are the only place they have left. I've seen everything you have, other than the porcupine -- raccoons on the roof, possums on the window-sill, and a skunk in the recycling bin once.

@JRH -- about too many horror films and nightmares about men in hockey masks, Randy confesses to a similar reaction after a Walking Dead Marathon and a re-reading of World War Z. We aren't exactly in the middle of nowhere, but we're isolated. When twilight would fall, I'd find myself getting rather jumpy, locking the doors and closing the blinds. LOL

@Randy1949 -

It's really rather amazing that despite our ages, we still get 'scared' by stuff like that, isn't it?

@JRH -- I think it's called having a vivid imagination.

@Craig -

If you can prove that the cat is owned by someone, you can bring civil charges in small claims court against the owner for the damage that the cat is causing to your screen. As long as all of your proof is solid, you should win and be able to recover all of your court costs against the negligent owner. Thus, it would only cost you a little time and effort to rectify your problem.

JRH: The cost is minimal- $30 four times over ten years- hardly worth it except for the satisfaction of eliminating a headache.
The police can't do anything unless I catch the cat (humanely), and the owner admits to it being his cat. Then they can issue a ticket for animal at large. If the owner does not admit ownership- the cat goes to HAWS. Either scenario would be fine with me, but there is no way I can catch this bugger! He even started to piss on my door. It caused Craig to enclose his deck and patio doors with a three season room. So far this has worked well, and I have not had yowling in the middle of the night.
Craig tried to be a good neighbor and talked to the people. He was told a cat is an outside animal by nature and they would not keep it inside. In the past year Craig now has 5 strays running about the neighborhood.

Hmm, Craig. Sounds like your neighbor hasn't neutered his cat either (although sometimes neutered males will spray too.)

Randy: You would be correct. They see cats as a tool to keep vermin out of the garage. Cleaning up the trash in said garage would also work and would eliminate the need for a can of paint to hold the door open for the cat. Every couple years they get a new cat, and do not get shots for it, no distemper, no rabbies vaccine, nothing.
Craig doesn't hate the cats, he hates the people who lack respect for their cats.
The problem has grown, now several people have free roaming cats that are not spayed or neutered. This I know because there was a litter recently, and have seen kittens in the road at midnight.

@Craig -

Hoffa agrees - you've been a stand up neighbor and your neighbor who owns the cat refuses to be a stand up neighbor in return. That's exactly why Hoffa prefers having no neighbors ;-)

If you pursued a civil small claims case against the neighbor who owns the cat, once the bad neighbor realizes that it might start costing him some time and money, the neighbor might actually start showing some respect towards others in how he cares for the cat. Remember, in addition to the damage caused by the cat, you could also recover nominal damages for the trespass that the neighbor's cat commits against your private property.

As all of the other options you've tried failed to produce the results you seek, your neighbor is really leaving you with no alternative.

I guess it depends on how much of a problem the cat poses to you. Just remember that it is an option that you do have in case it starts to become overwhelming or unbearable.

Craig

Just be discrete and one or more of the options you mention do work.

@$$andNonsense -

OK Dr. Mengele, whatever you say!

$$: I thought about it a few times, but it ain't worth doing time over.
JRH: I try to be a good neighbor most of the time. In Winter I get my tractor out to do my driveway, and wind up doing 10!
By the way...I know authorities were searching for you. Looks like maybe they found you under a cement slab???

@$$andNonsense -

That's right, it is time to go - back into your trailer, as your wife/sister is calling for you!

Holy hell guys, it is almost like a cat fight in here.
Keep it up and someone is going to get neutered.

Really? Not if you need a mouse killed or your lap warmed. Along with dogs, cats have been the allies of Humankind for a long time.

No, this is really about the best way to deal with a societal problem in the most economic and ethical way possible.

Is it less expensive to catch, spay, and release feral cats who will never have the prospect of becoming pets, or is it not? Some people see them as vermin. others see them as wild animals that serve a purpose (controlling rodents) with a place in the urban ecosystem.

EC: Soooo I guess you will not mind when the neighbor's Saint Bernard takes a gigantic crap in your flower garden, pisses on and kills your lawn, and walks on the top of your car?
Dogs should not be allowed to run free like a wild animal and the same should apply to cats.
FYI: the other night was quite cold....neighbors cat was caught by a serpentine belt, how humane is that? This should be viewed as animal cruelty, on the part of the cat's owner.