16 (edited by z3n3rg 2007-03-15 14:25:57)

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

There is some kinda electronic fencing that you bury in the ground.  Not sure the specifics or anything.  I know they have things like that for indoors to keep cats off furniture, just not sure how the outdoor fence works.  Some sorta feline frequency fence.  All you would need is enough for the area around the habitat.

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

z3n3rg...good idea, I will check that out!

In man's analysis and understanding of himself, it is as well to know from whence he came as whither he is going.   Edgar Cayce

Beliefs are tools for social conditioning, rather than expressions of inner realization or inner truth.   unknown
Ad Verecundiam

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

I think there's something deeper to this boundary respecting thing.  Like your neighbors, for example.  They've made it pretty clear that they don't respect yours.  And I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon, but many kids these days don't seem to know about boundaries either.  I've analyzed this to see if I'm being unreasonable or materialistic to expect others to "stay off my stuff," but I think there's more to it than that.  I think it has something to do with  my being vigilant about my personal space on all fronts:  etheric, mental, emotional, and physical.  I think it's important to have those boundaries and that space.

Anyway-- back to the cats, I think you can take a multi-faceted approach.  Put those collars with bells on yourself, since they won't do it.  Plant rue and other plants around your "boundary" area.  Plant pleasing plants to lure them AWAY from your area, etc.  It'll be a lot of trouble, but I think it's the best you can do for now.  But also-- try talking to them mentally and asking them to go elsewhere, just as I'm going to have to talk to this little girl.  You obviously know how to communicate with cats, since you have two of your own.

I've decided I'm going to tell my little "problem girl" about the flower seeds, the new grass, etc., and explain to her why it's important to keep bikes and stuff off of it.

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

It sounds like a multiple-tactic approach would work. Bells, whistles, tech toys, netting, and a feeding perch where the birds are out of reach and have a good view of the yard. One sign of a cat and the birds can send an alert. Designing the pond so that the fish have a good hiding place under rock ledges and deep basins. Maybe you could consult a pond designer--they might have some suggestions.

I was joking about the piranhas and coyotes. big_smile

Lono--I find that it pays to talk with the neighborhood kids in a cooperative manner. We've never had problems with kids when we build a rapport with them. I know this doesn't work in all cases, but they'll respect you more if you respect them. They're kids, is all, and they like to please people who treat them well--this is my experience.

Talking with the neighbors is always a challenge, but a good idea if you can keep a respectful  attitude. I've worked in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the SF area and never had any tools stollen or vehicles damaged. Respect goes a long way--backed by a sincere smile and a safe bit of prudence.

Fun fact: Great Tits are common in Europe

To know love is to know trust; to know oneself is to know truth
~~carefulcarpenter


1+1=1

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

I love the idea of the "cat area" with catnip...to distract them from your sanctuary...also the bells to prevent them from killing your creatures. If the owners refuse to pu the bells on the cats, I would just call the city and see if they would intervene... Sometimes they can enforce rules for vaccines or cat bells...
Here where I live...we have a similar problem but with coyotes eating the cats and small dogs. So my babies are kept inside...no wildlife for them.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress...

Cassie

β€œIt is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure. ~ Joseph Campbell

21 (edited by lyra 2007-03-25 13:33:13)

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

Timekitty wrote:

I love the idea of the "cat area" with catnip...to distract them from your sanctuary...also the bells to prevent them from killing your creatures. If the owners refuse to pu the bells on the cats, I would just call the city and see if they would intervene... Sometimes they can enforce rules for vaccines or cat bells...
Here where I live...we have a similar problem but with coyotes eating the cats and small dogs. So my babies are kept inside...no wildlife for them.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress...

Cassie

Totally off topic....but are you *the* "Cassie" from Texas?  The one who wrote for the Universal Seduction series??  I figured you most likely were, then clicked on your website link and see that you have the Universal Seduction series advertised on your page.  Is so, then Wow!!  Pretty cool!  If not, I'm a goober, and just ignore this!  big_smile

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit ... what a ride!"  - Anonymous
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"I get by with a little help from my (higher density) friends."
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Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

Thanks Timekitty.
Acually, I have been visualizing a "no cats allowed" invisible fence around the perimeter. So far, so good! Somebody had also mentioned planting rue, as the cats dont like it. I had some on another part of the property, so I moved it. So maybe its been a combination of both.

In man's analysis and understanding of himself, it is as well to know from whence he came as whither he is going.   Edgar Cayce

Beliefs are tools for social conditioning, rather than expressions of inner realization or inner truth.   unknown
Ad Verecundiam

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

Funny you say that, Treehugger.  Something similar has been happening for me.

Background:  I have a screened in back porch that I love.  We've propped the screen door open so that my dog can come and go as he pleases, but that means wasps can, too.  I'm allergic to their stings, so I always get scared when I see them despite the fact that I know better than to respond that way.  It's just a body-thing.  So this one wasp keeps coming into the porch, and then it gets stuck in there, not being able to figure out how to get past the screen.

I just can't bring myself to kill things just because they're inconvenient for me, so I have a trick wherein I cover it with a cup, slide paper underneath, take it out and fling it madly so as not to have it blow back on  me.

Now to the meat of the story:  I started watching him try to come back in a couple of days ago, and I was mentally saying ,"No.. no.... no...."  I saw him almost passing the threshold, then he'd pull back.  He did this several times and flew off.  About the third time this happened, I realized I must have been communicating with him on some level!  He was actually feeling the barrier and either respecting my wishes because I hadn't killed him, or he didn't want to get stuck in there any more than I wanted him to.

Pretty cool.

Re: Have a bit of a cat problem. Any suggestions?

Lono,
Ive been doing the same!  The wasps just love building their homes on our house. I have been using the same technique to keep them away. Ive told them they could build on the house as long as its nowhere near where we sit or frequent. And that they cant harass us. Works for me, but they do like to buzz my hubby. Especially those huge European hornets.  big_smile The ants though, well, they dont listen too well. hmm I guess I will have to figure another angle with them.

In man's analysis and understanding of himself, it is as well to know from whence he came as whither he is going.   Edgar Cayce

Beliefs are tools for social conditioning, rather than expressions of inner realization or inner truth.   unknown
Ad Verecundiam