I guess I am not much of a cat lover - they are an invasive species when running wild. Exterminating them humanly after checking to see if they are pets is the best solution. All cats should have an RFID tag, if not then it's feral. We would not put up with feral dogs running though out cities, why must suffer with wild cats? I enjoy the songbirds in our neighborhood, but unfortunately so do the feral cats who are decimating them.
2
When I lived in the city and there was a rash of stolen packages, a nearby business was designated as our UPS drop and if no one answered the door they delivered to the business. The USPS carrier was informed of the thefts and she left a notice and not the package if no one was home.
2
My neighbor has many cats that are finally fixed. They and others continue to fight and wail. I think you're wrong that spayed/neutered cats don't fight.
4
Although neutering cats will render them sterile, there is a timing component to changing mating behavior. Neuter very young and the animal is unlikely to yowl, spray, and fight. Once male kittens reach sexual maturity their body begins to change, the head is larger, for longer hair cats a mane-like ruff often becomes more pronounced. For both male and female cats, spraying urine is a mating behavior. If a cat is neutered after it has become sexually mature and experienced, its behavior is not so strictly hormone dependent.
Interesting...the smug property owners critical of someone acting in a humane way to alleviate suffering and starvation of abandoned cats. No scorn tho for the reprobates who abandon, neglect or their cats, or the idiots who have cats and open windows without screens to keep their pets inside? I suppose they get a pass because after all those people are the smug set of neighbors who fit into that lofty class, that of the ***Property Owner*** (voices in background: Angels singing...)
4
In regards to the lock keycard, perhaps the best solution is for the tenant to declare her keycard lost and purchase or get another one from the landlord, assuming that they don't deactivate old keycards.
With regard to the stolen packages, I have had the same problem. I recently had a package stolen during the Christmas season, when I thought I would be home to claim it, but was out when the delivery man arrived. I now have a sign on my door alerting all mailpersons and deliverypersons not to leave packages at my door, specifically stating that it is not a safe location for packages and that packages have been stolen from the door before and asking them to leave a pick up slip. Delivery services will leave the package if they deem it to be a safe drop point. My note makes it clear that my door is not a safe place.
With regard to the stolen packages, I have had the same problem. I recently had a package stolen during the Christmas season, when I thought I would be home to claim it, but was out when the delivery man arrived. I now have a sign on my door alerting all mailpersons and deliverypersons not to leave packages at my door, specifically stating that it is not a safe location for packages and that packages have been stolen from the door before and asking them to leave a pick up slip. Delivery services will leave the package if they deem it to be a safe drop point. My note makes it clear that my door is not a safe place.
2
The 100% effective and permanent solution. Guaranteed. Tested and approved.
You will find that it is 100% ineffective to try to discuss this with any cat-advocate. Do what I did after 15 years of trying to reason-with and educate the ineducable (at the loss of thousands of native animals that their vermin invasive-species cats tortured to death on my lands). Ignore every last thing that every last cat-advocate might ever say and you too will solve a centuries' old problem permanently in less than 2 seasons of your time, for a cost of only $0.003 (1/3-penny) to $0.04 per cat. Cat-advocates ARE the problem, they can't be any part of the solution. If you include them in the solution then YOU WILL FAIL. They now deserve and require the EXACT same amount of respect and consideration as they have shown and given to every other life on this planet, animal and human included -- that being, absolutely none. Then and only then will you solve this global ecological disaster that they created and are hellbent on perpetuating.
You will find that it is 100% ineffective to try to discuss this with any cat-advocate. Do what I did after 15 years of trying to reason-with and educate the ineducable (at the loss of thousands of native animals that their vermin invasive-species cats tortured to death on my lands). Ignore every last thing that every last cat-advocate might ever say and you too will solve a centuries' old problem permanently in less than 2 seasons of your time, for a cost of only $0.003 (1/3-penny) to $0.04 per cat. Cat-advocates ARE the problem, they can't be any part of the solution. If you include them in the solution then YOU WILL FAIL. They now deserve and require the EXACT same amount of respect and consideration as they have shown and given to every other life on this planet, animal and human included -- that being, absolutely none. Then and only then will you solve this global ecological disaster that they created and are hellbent on perpetuating.
10
Feral cats are a blight on any neighborhood or rural area. Also 'free range' pet cats allowed to roam because 'He hates to be kept inside'. Cat advocates are dangerous people who care nothing for people or wildlife. Capture/spay/release doesn't protect birds, lizards, beneficial snakes or other small, wild mammals. Yes, the solution is absolutely cheap and effective.
2
So what's the solution (that you didn't mention)?
3
I detect a murderous streak in this and other postings, and it is very disturbing to me. Cats are intelligent, lovable, sentient beings. If you have compassion for any kind of animals, how can you not have it for cats as well. Why is a lizard's life more important than a cat's? When cats revert to being wildlife, that's what they have to do to survive - kill other wildlife.
If someone truly cares about animals, the only humane solution they need to support is to help make sure that strays don't reproduce, and that they live in well managed colonies -- but we have no right to take their lives. (Also, rodent control is something that cats do well, and it's important to prevent rodent overpopulation - nature seeks balance.)
If someone truly cares about animals, the only humane solution they need to support is to help make sure that strays don't reproduce, and that they live in well managed colonies -- but we have no right to take their lives. (Also, rodent control is something that cats do well, and it's important to prevent rodent overpopulation - nature seeks balance.)
9
Feral Cats: It is pretty ridiculous that an individual with an obvious nuisance issue caused by someone else is provided no opportunity to resolve the issue. If someone wants to feed feral cats, let them do so on their own property. And give the afflicted property owner the right to trap and remove these animals.
Why aren't we just treating cats like dogs? Feral cats already exist, ok, but we used to have feral dog problems too. Now, only rarely. Restrict cats to the owner's property and actively remove strays and ferals.
This isn't just an issue of property rights. This is also a major public health concern. Roaming feral cats, especially interacting with other wildlife like skunks and raccoons, are a serious rabies risk. Also, that cat feces is carrying more than just poop. Toxoplasmosis, which is spread through cat feces, is a crazy disease that may cause miscarriages, blindness, mental disorders, or death.
Rather than put the burden on the innocent property owner to repel cats from his/her yard, lets put the responsibility on those people abandoning cats or trying to feed these cat colonies on other people's property. You want to do TNR. Fine, do it in your backyard, not mine.
Why aren't we just treating cats like dogs? Feral cats already exist, ok, but we used to have feral dog problems too. Now, only rarely. Restrict cats to the owner's property and actively remove strays and ferals.
This isn't just an issue of property rights. This is also a major public health concern. Roaming feral cats, especially interacting with other wildlife like skunks and raccoons, are a serious rabies risk. Also, that cat feces is carrying more than just poop. Toxoplasmosis, which is spread through cat feces, is a crazy disease that may cause miscarriages, blindness, mental disorders, or death.
Rather than put the burden on the innocent property owner to repel cats from his/her yard, lets put the responsibility on those people abandoning cats or trying to feed these cat colonies on other people's property. You want to do TNR. Fine, do it in your backyard, not mine.
13
Get rid of the cats and you will be overrun by rats and mice.
16
More likely that the cat food is attracting rats and mice.
5
Feeding stray cats encourages them to congregate in numbers that lead to problems for them, and for local residents. Should the feeding stop, the numbers would dwindle as many would wander away for other food sources, and the remaining cats would feast on prey like rodents, which is a good thing for the neighborhood. Feral cats themselves aren't a problem - it's the ridiculous numbers that hurt. And, the open food attracts other animals and vermin. I wonder if the Sanitation department would have a stance on that. Since the writer is in Riverdale, a call to 311 might be in order.
My building in Chelsea has fobs also. However the building's policy is to give each unit a set number of fobs -- and since most condo rules allow for "roommates" this has allowed for easy entrance to all sorts of people. My neighbor has so many 'cousins' coming through using the fobs that it's practically a revolving door. Unsettling at times, but nothing we can do about it. I will readily switch situations with the letter writer.
As for stolen packaged, we had a spate as well. Luckily we have had ample security cameras for quite a while and were able to trace the same guy getting buzzed in after randomly ringing units from the keypad at the front door, or simply trailing behind someone who had just entered. We installed a large locked package box in the lobby - only residents have keys. The problem went away.
My building in Chelsea has fobs also. However the building's policy is to give each unit a set number of fobs -- and since most condo rules allow for "roommates" this has allowed for easy entrance to all sorts of people. My neighbor has so many 'cousins' coming through using the fobs that it's practically a revolving door. Unsettling at times, but nothing we can do about it. I will readily switch situations with the letter writer.
As for stolen packaged, we had a spate as well. Luckily we have had ample security cameras for quite a while and were able to trace the same guy getting buzzed in after randomly ringing units from the keypad at the front door, or simply trailing behind someone who had just entered. We installed a large locked package box in the lobby - only residents have keys. The problem went away.
15
Hi, "Common Sense":
I would like to appeal to yours re: feral cats. If you simply kill the cats, there will be more in their place. The only viable solution is to Trap, Neuter/Spay, Vaccinate, Return. The evidence bears this out.
I would like to appeal to yours re: feral cats. If you simply kill the cats, there will be more in their place. The only viable solution is to Trap, Neuter/Spay, Vaccinate, Return. The evidence bears this out.
3
Feral cats: Instead of telling the cat lady to stop what she is doing, since in own way she is helping by feeding homeless cats, discuss alternatives. Don't stop feeding the cats - feed them at the same time everday. Work with the proper agency to chip, spay and neuter the cats as the come to eat... Don't just point out what someone is doing wrong when you're not doing anything.
Fobs for friends: Some of the suggestions are just wrong. Obviously the key wasn't given to a neighbor for a reason. Cloning the fob is iffy because if the friend had to use it, he/she could be arrested for trespassing.
Stolen packages: The assumption seems to be the thief is NOT someone in the building. Usually, theft in a building is someone in the building. All the buildings' inhabitants know about the lack of security, so I would start there with the landlord.
Fobs for friends: Some of the suggestions are just wrong. Obviously the key wasn't given to a neighbor for a reason. Cloning the fob is iffy because if the friend had to use it, he/she could be arrested for trespassing.
Stolen packages: The assumption seems to be the thief is NOT someone in the building. Usually, theft in a building is someone in the building. All the buildings' inhabitants know about the lack of security, so I would start there with the landlord.
9
Tens of thousands of stray cats!... if this were tens of thousands of dogs crapping everywhere...or any other animal creating a nuisance things would be handled differently. I don't understand why it's okay for cats to roam free. They spread disease, kill wildlife. It's simply not justifiable to allow their numbers to multiple unchecked. Cats indoors please!
21
I would agree but some of the stray cats have been abandoned by their owners. If it were possible to place the cats in private homes, it would be best, but these cats are sometimes not adoptable. It is not a matter of 'dog people' vs. 'cat people'.
1
For starters, cats don't chase people. They don't bite (unless provoked). They don't "crap" on the sidewalk, and always bury it when possible. They do kill rats if that's what you consider to be "wildlife" but that's a good thing. Lastly, I have never contracted a disease from feral cats, or any cat for that matter.
3
Complaining about skunks I get. Taking food that other people put down for cats is cruel and should be illegal because you're taking something that does not belong to you. Alley cats are a fact of life everywhere just like birds are. What a crank. I'm glad it's not illegal. Anyone that would take the food away probably approached the feeder in a smug, unfriendly way so of course they won't try to work something out.
Growing up in Brooklyn, every neighborhood had feral cats. In all my years I've never seen them regularly track mud onto cars. Sounds like a complete exaggeration.
To the package person: I can relate. I ordered mostly from Amazon when I lived in a building and after a couple of package went missing, I began having them shipped to my office. Amazon was great about replacing items that never arrived, but it did not help if it was a time sensitive shipment. Companies like Amazon should let the customer decide on the shipping page if they want the item left if no one is home rather than it be a blanket policy to just leave them.
Growing up in Brooklyn, every neighborhood had feral cats. In all my years I've never seen them regularly track mud onto cars. Sounds like a complete exaggeration.
To the package person: I can relate. I ordered mostly from Amazon when I lived in a building and after a couple of package went missing, I began having them shipped to my office. Amazon was great about replacing items that never arrived, but it did not help if it was a time sensitive shipment. Companies like Amazon should let the customer decide on the shipping page if they want the item left if no one is home rather than it be a blanket policy to just leave them.
14
The reason they are fighting and hurting each other is there are too many of them in one place. The woman feeding them is creating a situation where cats congregate in a way that is unnatural and frightening to them. Then they fight and hurt each other.
Instead of feeding them, if she really cared about their health and well being she would put her money towards neutering the existing strays. That would control the population, and allow the cats enough room to find their own foor (which, conveniently, is mice and rats). The woman feeding them is literally harming everyone one and everything involved--ESPECIALLY the cats.
Instead of feeding them, if she really cared about their health and well being she would put her money towards neutering the existing strays. That would control the population, and allow the cats enough room to find their own foor (which, conveniently, is mice and rats). The woman feeding them is literally harming everyone one and everything involved--ESPECIALLY the cats.
13
Feral cats are NOT a fact of life like birds are. Birds are our native wildlife and are legally protected under federal law. Feral cats are just victims of the neglect of stupid humans. The cats need to be removed and if some are adoptable, great - get them adopted. The others need to be humanely euthanized.
3
Stolen Packages - what is a landlord to do when it is some tenants of the building who continually subvert the building security.
9
Subverting security is typically a lease violation that could result in eviction. Landlord should take action.
Look on the web for cloning fobs.
1
Regarding stolen packages, perhaps if the tenant paid a rent near market rates the landlord would be able to afford additional security. So I suggest you either pay a market rent, use your ample savings from rent to hire a security man or just move to a safer neighborhood.
5
Here we go again.
11
Landlords are investors. If some landlords can't afford to provide adequate security, they can sell the property and "suffer" with the profit from the sale. If they need to sell at a loss, well, unfortunately, that's how markets work. Sometimes investments don't return a profit. But remember, all investments are voluntary.
On the other hand, housing is a necessity. Compared to a voluntary investor, tenants deserve the most consideration.
On the other hand, housing is a necessity. Compared to a voluntary investor, tenants deserve the most consideration.
15
Stephen, housing is necessary; housing in a specific building is not.
Put cayenne pepper all over your garden, the cats can't stand the smell.
7
Re: Feral Cats
Excellent advice. TNR does work and, if you're going to feed a colony you have to properly maintain the colony. That means spay/neuter and rabies vaccination. Try working with the feeder towards these goals. As for the garden litter box, try spreading a single layer of black river rocks over the soil. The cats can't dig through them and will find another place to do their business. Plus, they look nice and help keep the soil moist.
Excellent advice. TNR does work and, if you're going to feed a colony you have to properly maintain the colony. That means spay/neuter and rabies vaccination. Try working with the feeder towards these goals. As for the garden litter box, try spreading a single layer of black river rocks over the soil. The cats can't dig through them and will find another place to do their business. Plus, they look nice and help keep the soil moist.
8
What to do about feral cats? Feed them.
8
"Once neutered, they will no longer spray, fight or mate, so over time, their numbers dwindle."
That's only partially correct. I have two neutered cats, a male and a female - and, yes, they were neutered young. They both spray, and they get into the occasional spat. If a cat who's not part of our human-cat family enters the backyard, they full-on fight with that cat and force it out. They do not, however, mate. So neutering is no panacea.
That's only partially correct. I have two neutered cats, a male and a female - and, yes, they were neutered young. They both spray, and they get into the occasional spat. If a cat who's not part of our human-cat family enters the backyard, they full-on fight with that cat and force it out. They do not, however, mate. So neutering is no panacea.
9
The reason cats fight is proximity. Neutering solves this by controlling the overall population, thus the existing strays can stay out of their way.
The sick person feeding them is creating a situation that encourages many cats into close proximity. This inevitably leads to them fighting and hurting each other.
Her ignorance is cruelty.
The sick person feeding them is creating a situation that encourages many cats into close proximity. This inevitably leads to them fighting and hurting each other.
Her ignorance is cruelty.
7
Where we live, we have non-for-profit groups that trap, spay, vaccinate, microchip and release feral cats.
We have two such cats that live in our yard.
We have two such cats that live in our yard.
13
Amazon has a system where packages are delivered to boxes in convience stores, and there are companies that deliver after hours.
3
As do some supermarkets in Manhattan.
2
"Once neutered, they will no longer spray, fight..."
This is not really accurate. When the cat is neutered as an adult, he likely will continue spraying and fighting out of habit or as a reaction to stress.
This is not really accurate. When the cat is neutered as an adult, he likely will continue spraying and fighting out of habit or as a reaction to stress.
7
There's something psychologically wrong with people who feed feral cats.
17
Yes, showing kindness and compassion to hungry abandoned pets or offspring of such that was caused by callous, cruel and indifferent humans is "psychologically wrong".
Okaaaaay. Invest in a mirror dude.
Okaaaaay. Invest in a mirror dude.
9
There's something wrong with people who don't have their cats spayed or neutered, and then abandon them outside. Humans are the problem to begin with, not the person trying to help them.
12
would the same logic apply to a pet cat who somehow got loose and was on the street? what about a cat abandoned by an owner on the street?
1
The neighbor who is feeding the cats should provide your correspondent with motion sensing sprinklers. Also, neutered cats still defecate and urinate, and their feces and urine smell bad. Neutering the cats won't solve the cat problem.
2
"Neutering the cats won't solve the cat problem."
Yes, it will, because the population will dwindle.
Yes, it will, because the population will dwindle.
12
As long as owners keep abandoning cats, the problem will continue.
12
Reader's Digest has several suggestions to repel cats (and other animals): http://www.rd.com/home/5-ways-to-keep-cats-and-dogs-away-from-your-garden/
Personally, I've found that mothballs worked great for cats (also raccoons and opossums) when I had a home outside of the city.
Personally, I've found that mothballs worked great for cats (also raccoons and opossums) when I had a home outside of the city.
3
Mothballs do work great, but then I've understood they are very toxic and likely to leech into the water supply. Picture me gathering up mothballs from my yard in gloves and a mask.
2
Sounds like NYC badly needs to update its bylaws to penalize feeding feral animals and wildlife.
5
Keep many gallons of tomato juice for the skunks. Get a high powered bb gun and have at the cats. I lived in Massachusetts, (and had a step mom who loved Siamese catsd which sound like babies crying). I too got used to the wailing as s anormal sound of living in a country area, where the biggest house had three stories. I had a cat and had to chase huiim and treat his wounds after hed fight other toms. He was a terror-as are all cats-to birds and small animals and even peoples fish and frog ponds.My ai\unt from Australia puts a sign on her car"Shoot a cat today". They have such awful problems with "kitties" going out and killing several near extinct birds each and every day.
Learn to live with it and remember-the skunks will move into cities even more if there are no cats. . .this is a result of human population increase and increased heating due to oil burning.
Learn to live with it and remember-the skunks will move into cities even more if there are no cats. . .this is a result of human population increase and increased heating due to oil burning.
Shooting something to injure it is cruel and lame. Either kill it or not. Don't maim it with your BB gun.
12
The answer to problems with animals need not be shooting to injure or kill. There are several excellent ideas discussed here amongst the comments and which may be found online. I hope you and your aunt will consider finding gentler ways to handle problems with animal rather than violence towards them.
12
Advising people to use a BB gun on cats is positively repulsive. How can a human being even conceive of such cruelty?
5
The landlord may be attempting to prevent tenants from illegally renting out their apartments on AirBnB, an action I sympathize with. Having said that, I too have given a spare set of my keys to a local friend. Cultivating one who actually lives in your building may contravene the NYC habit of not knowing your neighbors, but you never know: they may be nice people!
On stolen packages, I would make friends (see above) with a local business, to whom you could have packages delivered. Or you could arrange to receive them where you work.
On stolen packages, I would make friends (see above) with a local business, to whom you could have packages delivered. Or you could arrange to receive them where you work.
4
Is robbing your neighbor a crime in New York City ? Most people seem to view your possessions as an 'opportunity'. You need a private mailbox company to gather your mail and packages. It's just another cost of living increase for wanting to live in NYC.
3
Here is the best way not to get your packages stolen: Don't let the carrier leave your packages in the hallway. Have them delivered to work or at another location that accepts packages. Problem solved.
11
Before going the TNR route, see TNRrealitycheck.com and abcbirds.org/threats.
Long term, a mandatory spay-neuter/microchip and "Cats Indoors!" ordinance will do more to help cats, people and wildlife.
Long term, a mandatory spay-neuter/microchip and "Cats Indoors!" ordinance will do more to help cats, people and wildlife.
4
In the islands we simply euthanize strays. Occasionally the authorities will round up a batch and then, well, gone kitties, and the problem is under control. IS that too common sense for NYC?
5
19 years ago, a friend of mine visiting the Virgin Islands rescued two young stray cats just before the authorities were about to kill them. He jumped through all the hoops to import said cats into the US, and gave them to me. They're still going strong, and have provided us with affection for all these years. I'm very glad they escaped the Virgin Islands' "problem solving".
7
It certainly is cruelty to animals.
5
The Caribbean should never be a model for how this problem is resolved. I say this as someone who has Caribbean ancestry. Life is cruel to both man and beast down there.
4
The advice on the feral cats basically suggested waiting for a generation of cats to die out, so 5-10 years easily. And that's provided no new ones appear. While TNR is worth pursuing it's little help in the short run. I would suggest talking to the Russian mission about the issue to end feeding on their property. And if the cat feeder is leaving bowls of food around the neighborhood you are welcome to pick them up and throw them out if left on public property. You should not need to bury mesh in your backyard to make it useable, but buy or make some cat repellent. The column does not mention this but do keep in mind it is illegal (and cruel) to poison the cats.
6
I'm appalled that NYC allows residents to feed theses feral cats. I pity the poor Riverdale resident who has to put up with this nuisance.
15
So, you would prefer to see starved cats or cat carcasses on the street?
1
We had a similar situation in the suburbs. The local animal shelter provided cage traps, which we baited and set. Each time we caught a cat, the animal shelter folks would pick up the cat and bring it to one of several local vets who would neuter the animal free of charge. The shelter folks then released the cat back to its home turf. It took a while but over time the feral cat population shrank to zero.
21
Exactly. Several of my neighbors belong to a network that have substantially reduced feral populations and helped the city reduce the cost of trapping, killing and disposing of cats. Also, thanks to neutering, the number of unborn kittens have been reduced as well which works toward reducing future populations.
18
Do not feed feral cats. I did, here in NW Georgia, and the problem got huge. Then coyotes moved into an wooded area near my house and the problem was partially solved. This also made cat owners keep their cats inside which allowed us to enjoy our outdoor furniture again without smelling like a cat in need of a litter pan.
9
There are friendly sprays one can use around your yard to discourage animals from visiting. The most successful one is called Bobex. I think the "bob" is for bobcat smell they've replicated.
There a many many many groups you can become involved with who have positive projects to help feral cats and their neighbors. Simply google: feral cat help.
Fire Island has become a dumping ground for cats. Visitors bring cats with the intention of abandoning them. At some point the community associations must control this inhuman practice by requiring a seasonal permit that includes credit card info to discourage the sub-humans from inflicting the tortures of predators and climate upon cats who they cruelly and knowingly turn their backs on.
There a many many many groups you can become involved with who have positive projects to help feral cats and their neighbors. Simply google: feral cat help.
Fire Island has become a dumping ground for cats. Visitors bring cats with the intention of abandoning them. At some point the community associations must control this inhuman practice by requiring a seasonal permit that includes credit card info to discourage the sub-humans from inflicting the tortures of predators and climate upon cats who they cruelly and knowingly turn their backs on.
8
I can attest to the value of TNR. 12 years ago, I had a couple dozen feral cats hanging out in my yard and my neighbor's yard, mainly due to one very productive female calico. Over 2 years, I did TNR on 24 cats. (Yes, paid out of my own pocket, but did get a discount from my vet.) The kittens stopped arriving, thank goodness. (That calico was the toughest one to trap, but I am very persistent and patient.) Over time, the population has gone down. We are down to 4 elderly cats now. They are still afraid of me, but will run out when I put food out. Ferals can be trained to eat when the food is put out, so that the food can be removed promptly and the skunks won't be able to get it when they forage at night. It takes a little work to re-train their habits, but they catch on: "hmm, if I don't eat that food now, there won't be any food later. Got it."
In addition to the organization recommended in the response to this question, you can also check out Allied Cat Allies, which also has a lot of helpful information.
I am sympathetic to the frustrations the writer has experienced. But talking to the neighbor about the problem AND suggesting solutions (TNR, feeding only at specific times) is the best way to go.
In addition to the organization recommended in the response to this question, you can also check out Allied Cat Allies, which also has a lot of helpful information.
I am sympathetic to the frustrations the writer has experienced. But talking to the neighbor about the problem AND suggesting solutions (TNR, feeding only at specific times) is the best way to go.
25