Posted on 05/21/2012 6:12:05 PM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
Last year our little household was forced to move from its home of 28 years to a new one. One thing we're having to deal with now that we've never had to worry about before is neighbors.
We have cats. Two of them are fairly settled, but one (the sweetest one of course) is a little spitfire who enjoys going to the neighbor's house and getting on his cars. One of these cars is very rare (only so many were made), and apparently this little cat has been getting on it.
Now our neighbor has no desire to be unpleasant or demanding, but he has told me that he has a live trap set for the cat and will only return it to us once. He will not harm it (or any animal, since he is an animal lover himself) but has said on catching him the second time in the trap he will simply carry him off.
You may perhaps imagine what this did to my day.
I am at my wit's end. The little fellow is running all over the house now crying and we're afraid to let him out. We're afraid to let the other two out to make him feel worse. I've offered the man a tarp to cover his car but he says a tarp can damage a car as well.
What do we do? It would take time and a great deal of expense to build a fence, and even then the cat could simply go around it. Keeping him in the house is the simplest solution, but it's very painful to hear him begging to be let out. I have no idea why he insists on going over there and getting on that car when he has a front and back yard (and a car) here.
I've been doing some research online about keeping cats off cars and have read conflicting claims as to whether cats can even scratch a car at all. I've read that citrus odor will keep them off a car.
Does any FReeper have any advice as to how our neighbor (who has never caused us any trouble whatsoever) can keep our cat off this particular car and solve this problem? Right now I am terribly upset.
Please help if you can.
Try giving the cat something high and defensible to lay on that is on the side of your house facing the neighbor’s house. Cats like cars because they are high, with no obstructions, easy to defend, and the metal is comfortable at night.
The solution seems straightforward: spray lemon juice all over the car.
Not to be rude, but....its your responsibilty to keep your cat off the neighbors car, not his. Communities have leash laws, and they apply apply to cats as well as dogs. Best advice, keep the animal inside (or get rid of him), and keep the peace with your neighbor.....red
Maybe a kitty kennel the bigger the better. Lots of large potted plants inside.
Invisible fence??
The only option I can think is to declaw the cat. They put the cat under and remove the claws entirely. But maybe then it’s no good to have a cat like that outside as it might get into a fight and couldn’t defend itself?
Probably that option is anaethemic to you anyway, since you are probably pretty angry at your neighbor for his threat that he would steal your cat.
I would imagine carrying the cat off would be illegal. I see his point, but I still think it would be illegal of him to steal your cat.
Anti-freeze or a .22... that was a joke. Lighten up. Talk to your neighbor and be honest if your feelings..
..he doesn’t sound like he cares that much about the car if he parks it outside uncovered....paint a big dog on the side of it!
I have a car he is perfectly welcome to lie on as much as he wants to. But no, he wants to get on the neighbor's cars.
Also I think if he wants a perfect car, he should keep it in a garage. Cats exist outside, unless they are banned by law or the condo association. And yes, they climb on things.
Cars are tools, not art. If he has art he wants to preserve, maybe he should pay the right cost for that preservation, rather than expect to steal neighbor cats as a cheap solution
Are you serious? Satire, right?
Keep your cat on your own property. You know that.
Invisible Fence:
http://www.invisiblefence.com/
Your kitten won’t think twice about running to your neighbor’s—especially since the collar will be too heavy...
We have cats who have never been outdoors, save trips to the vet as needed. They don't get fleas or worms and they love soaking up the sunshine on the window sill. They watch hummingbirds and we have no problem with them trying to get outside.
>>Not to be rude, but....its your responsibilty...
That’s probably why he’s asking what he can do to keep his cat off the neighbor’s car.
Tell your neighbor to do what normal folks do - buy a tarp in order to protect his car from wildlife and the elements. And that if your cat ever goes missing, he’s likely to see a lot more wildlife in the area, as you will fill the void of your missing cat by feeding pidgeons, squirrels and other critters which will miraculously find their way onto your property, and on a windy day, some of their food may find its way onto his car.
The car is under one of those portable carports.
He has already rejected the idea of using a tarp.
I doubt your going to have any success discouraging the cat from getting on the car. If the car is that special, I’m surprised it isn’t kept in a garage.
I think your only option is to keep kitties indoors from now on. I know that won’t make for a happy household. Ours go in & out at will, & winters (which are wet) are a real trial to all of us, as they are constantly asking for attention since they can’t entertain themselves outside. But lots of toys & games makes it easier - just like dealing with a bunch of little kids.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.