Stray Cat problem

We have a major stray cat problem. They sleep on our deck and our bbq and they are not friendly. There are at least 5 different cats.

Last summer we found a dead kitten in the back yard and a dead cat by the side of our house. This morning there is a dead mouse on our door step.

They just had a litter of kittens about 2 months ago - the next generation.

I have to do something about these cats. I don't know who is feeding them but it's not me and now it is just becoming unsanitary.

I have my own kitten and I won't even let her outside because these cats are so big and aggressive, I'm afraid they'll hurt her.

PLEASE - if you have any suggestions or advice let me know. I don't want them to be harmed, but they can't live here anymore!!!!

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Can you call animal control or some other agency?

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My sister and her hubby had this same problem, only it was like 20 cats! What they finally decided to do was get a Have a Heart trap and trap them all, take them to be spayed and neutered, then release them again. They found a place that spays and neuters them for free out east. They figured they can't get rid of them, but at least they can stop them from breeding. Actually, it turned out two of them were REALLY sweet, and now they stay inside.

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I am doing the same thing right now. You need to get a have a heart trap at home depot. You trap the cats. Then you decide to get them spayed/neuters and then release them back at your house or you can bring them to NY Animal Care and Control. They have locations in all five boroughs. THey will not turn any animal away, but they do euthanize. Since your cats are feral, that is most likely what will happen. But this is not necessarily a bad thing; if they are infected with a disease it will spread like wild fire to the other domestic cats in the area. Also, being a stray is not a nice life, especially in the winter. If you do release them back, you are responsible for feeding them and vaccinating them each year. If there are kittens, you could trap the kittens and get them used to people and then bring them to the shelter. If they are friendly, they will be adopted. Don't waste your time with NSAL or other animal organziations. They won't do the work for you and most are so overloaded with their own animals that they won't take them. If they are friendly, NSAL will eventually take them (you get put on a list) but if they are not, don't even bother calling. THat is why I like animal care and control; they are really working to control the population whereas NSAL is ignoring LIers and going down south to take theirs.

I have trap cats for years now in various neighborhoods. IT is good that you are being responsible. It is likely that you would have 20 cats next summer if you don't do something now.

Message edited 7/8/2006 1:24:36 PM.

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Message edited 7/8/2006 1:36:50 PM.

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I have been doing this long enough to know that different people have different philosophies on the issue. The reality is that a colony of unvaccinated cats is a health issue especially with the rise of rabies on long island. It is not uncommon for angry neighbors to poison strays, for them to get hit by cars, or to die from overheating or frigid temperatures. Also, if there are many cats in the colony you end up having territory issues; frequent fights between the members of the colony or domesticated outdoor cats. I have known a couple of pet cats that have been beaten to a pulp by strays.

I have no problem if people are willing to continually trap them, feed them, and provide shelter from the heat and cold. But that is a huge committment and expense that unfortunately most people are not willing to make especially given the length of a cats life.

I think it is critical that we commend anyone who steps up and addresses the stray cat problem in their area. They are unique and special people who are willing to help others even though they don't have to. There are many factors involved and we need to trust that they will make the best decision for themselves, the cats, and the community. The only wrong way is to not do anything at all.

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Yeah, I work with a stray cat population and we trap, spay/neuter, and release. Small kittens can be socialized and adopted out. We also have them vaccinated. The vets make a small cut in their ear so we know who has had shots.

Message edited 7/8/2006 2:24:47 PM.

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Message edited 7/8/2006 7:41:41 PM.

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my neighbor is a save a cat person. actually i helped today save a kitten. i will ask her is she knows anyone one in your area that could help you!

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We are in Mineola, but he's afraid that if we drop them off somewhere on LI they'll find they're way back to our deck!!!

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if you need to get some help let me know where you are and stuff like that i will talk to my neighbor tomorrow. do not release them anywhere at all!! if you do catch them them MUST go to a no kill shelter or to the northshore animal league. if anyone knows you do that it is a big fine and possible jail time. we just had a person pull up to a local business the other day open his trunk and 5 kittens ran out. this business was seconds from the highway. 4 of the 5 where caught 1 is still mia. the guy was caught and put into jail for 90 days. please fm me with your info and i will give it to my neighbor!

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Posted by janet

if you need to get some help let me know where you are and stuff like that i will talk to my neighbor tomorrow. do not release them anywhere at all!! if you do catch them them MUST go to a no kill shelter or to the northshore animal league. if anyone knows you do that it is a big fine and possible jail time. we just had a person pull up to a local business the other day open his trunk and 5 kittens ran out. this business was seconds from the highway. 4 of the 5 where caught 1 is still mia. the guy was caught and put into jail for 90 days. please fm me with your info and i will give it to my neighbor!

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I think Little Shelter has a feral cat programLittle Shelter

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