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How can I Keep Stray Cats out of my Yard?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 255,836
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There are a number of humane ways for dealing with stray cats which will keep them out of your yard, ranging from establishing plants which cats generally do not like to working with your neighbors on a stray cat trapping program. In any case, it is important to remember that while stray cats can be very frustrating to deal with, you should not use extreme measures, as these measures can hurt people's pets and wildlife which lives in the neighborhood.

If you have stray cats in the area, the first step should be preventing more from moving in. If someone in the area feeds the cats, you may want to ask them to stop, explaining that the stray cats are causing problems for all of the neighbors. This will discourage more animals from appearing. Any strays which are currently setting up camp in the area should be trapped, altered, and vaccinated; you may be able to find a local humane association which will trap and relocate the cats for you, or at least provide grant money for altering the cats so that they will not breed.

There are also some steps which you can take to keep stray cats out of your yard and garden; these steps will also discourage neighborhood pets who may be making a nuisance of themselves as well. One way to do this is to make your garden hostile to cats, with no spaces to lounge or go to the bathroom.

You can plant things to discourage cats, such as geranium, pennyroyal, rue, lavender, garlic, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, and other strongly scented plants. You can also lay chicken wire in your flower beds, as cats dislike like walking on wire. In addition to chicken wire, you can use pine cones, nut shells, and short stakes to discourage cats from walking in your yard; cats also don't like walking on coffee grounds and eggshells, both of which happen to make great fertilizer.

Some people find that an automatic sprinkler does the trick when it comes to getting rid of stray cats. Sprinklers can be installed with motion-sensitive detectors which cause the sprinkler to go off when an animal walks by, and they can be moved around so that the animals don't learn to subvert the sprinkler.

When working on getting stray cats out of your yard, it can help to coordinate with the neighbors. Many people dislike stray cats because they are a nuisance and they are often unhealthy; in addition to killing wildlife and ruining gardens, stray cats also pose a health risk to pet cats and other neighborhood pets. Because of this, you may find that your neighbors are ready and willing to help out with making your area hostile for strays.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon1001607 — On May 22, 2019

People have rights to live in a clean and safe environment. I don't want that excrement in my yard or on my porch. There needs to be strict laws to make cat owners pay a high price for their cats' actions and they should have to clean the horrible waste up every time and pay hefty fines I was infected by cat urine when I was pregnant and it killed my son. He was born premature and that nasty cat infection killed him because I was exposed to feral cat waste on my front porch and garden. Clean up after your nasty cats and save human lives!

By anon999545 — On Jan 29, 2018

I hate outdoor cat owners. They've killed a several-$k garden and defecated and urinated in it. I have to stop through it to pick up our neighbors' crap.

I don't hate cats. I want to dunk the owners repeatedly in cat urine and feces. The laws are weird and ineffective. I had photos of cats defecating (didn't matter - thought I was OCD - I was not - cat feces carry diseases and I like birds and animal life that has been killed by cats).

Coffee grounds (doesn't work), cayenne pepper (up to 90k heat) doesn't work, moth balls are toxic even through animal control said to use it. The neighbors are beyond idiots. They have a trampoline for their daughter and friends with lye under it - it's their outdoor cat litter and their cats still come here and we don't want cats (we'd adopt cats again if we did). (Mothballs didn't work for us and it's toxic to groundwater.)

I'm looking for a rifle that shoots ping pong balls to scare, not damage the cats (even though I hate the cats). I walk out and scare them and if I can get shots off, I expect that will keep them away.

By anon998781 — On Aug 24, 2017

I live in an apartment complex, the tenant next door sits out food and water for whatever stray, alley or feral cat that comes along. Mind you, it will cost him $500.00 to keep a cat in his apartment, but the problem is, when he continue to feed them, they keep coming around.

All through out the night, screaming, peeing, pooping, early in the morning. I have told him about this, tried to talk to him reasonably, when ever they wake me up at 2 in the morning I have a bowl of water ready, throw it at them and they scatter. But they still come back, because these alley cats know that is where food is. I finally told the manger, and for 5 days, he took the bowls and water away, this morning he had the food out again.

I put a note on his door concerning the Feral Cats and told him again, I will be telling management

I am sick of these cats, pissing, screaming, fighting, mating in front of my apartment door.

I love animals, but I refuse to pay $1000.00 a month for rent, with alley cats, screaming around my door.

By anon994306 — On Jan 30, 2016

Install a roll of carpet tacks on top of your fence. Once their paws touch it, they will remember to not step there again. Cats are smart. This will work.

By anon990012 — On Apr 01, 2015

I have six cats indoors. For several years I have to put up with the noxious scent of other cats who are marking their territory in my yard, it drives my cats nuts! These strays are killing my plants as well because they are watering them with poisonous urine. How can I keep these animals out of my yard and away from my house? Lavender---hahahahaa! I had a little bush I purchased in 2009 that grew large and smelled wonderful and they almost killed it peeing on it in one summer. There are only a few twigs left of the thing. I don't know what to plant to keep them away. I will be putting out mothballs in hopes that deters them. I spend a lot of time and a little money on my flowers; I have in the past taken care of the strays but I can't do that anymore.

People who let their cats outside to roam the neighborhood may not realize how inconsiderate they are. If you take the responsibility to own a pet, take care of it. Letting it outside to roam can be harmful, as the cat may get hurt by someone or eat something it's not supposed to.

By anon961051 — On Jul 14, 2014

In the city where I live, there is a leash law for cats. I plan on trapping the cat or cats that come into my yard, and taking them to local shelter. Then the owner can pay to get them out.

By anon958103 — On Jun 25, 2014

Most towns have leash laws, although cats seem to be exempt from them. I personally am not a cat lover and therefore don't own any. I do, however, own a large breed dog that I responsibly keep in my yard. After just opening my front door at almost 4 a.m. to let my dog out to potty, I am blasted in the face with the very strong odor of cat spray/urine -- whatever.

It stinks and now someone else's animal has caused me clean up. I shouldn't have to do as well as being forced to smell the obnoxious crap. I'm ticked off. My dog doesn't come in your yard, and never has. It's bad enough that I have to daily pick up crap your kids drag over in my yard, and now I'm subjected to more crap.

By anon949472 — On May 05, 2014

It's funny that cat owner say their cats are never dirty. That's because you don't see it in your neighbor's garden, in the flower beds, buried in the gravel on driveways.

If you think they are so nice, clean and great company, then keep them in your house and don't let them roam the streets. I think the best place for a cat is on its owners property, coughing furballs up behind the couch leaving dead birds under beds.

I think it should be the same laws as for dogs in that you cannot let your cat out unless you accompany it, and have it on a lead, and pick its crap up after it. My neighbor's cat keep going in my flower beds. I just post it back through his front door. He doesn't like it, but I tell him every time the cat does it, I'll pass his property back to him.

By anon945741 — On Apr 14, 2014

We have worked hard for our home. Why should I have to pick up cat poo from my flowers? I choose not to own a cat. This is my property. I kindly asked my neighbor to please keep his cat indoors as it was killing all my plants. He laughed. I called animal control, he got a ticket. It's a respect thing, people.

By anon351109 — On Oct 10, 2013

Whether people love cats or not, they do not like someone else's cat running into their home every time the garage or front door is not open.

My house is clean as is my garage. The problem is the neighbor leaves his/her cat to roam and for some reason the cat has chosen our home. Being annoyed by this does not make a person inhumane; it just means they do not like to have to run around the house putting someone else's cat out. We who do not want a stray cat in the yard or the house are not inhumane; we are sane and reasonable.

By anon342744 — On Jul 23, 2013

@post 137: Everyone has a right to their opinions and feelings. Do you know anything about feral cats, or cats that run wild only to return home for food? People take pride in the homes they live in and is their right to have a polished lawn.

First, a well maintained home is healthier to the environment than cats running wild. People who own cats are selfish not to keep them indoors. Cats that are outside pose a risk to children and our environments by spreading germs and fleas. Pet owners have a responsibility to their beloved pets. Keeping them safe, clean and loved means loving them enough to keep them indoors. Just like children need guidance and our care to keep them healthy and safe, so do our pets. There is nothing wrong with anyone who doesn't want others' animals on their property.

I keep members of my family safe and healthy, and sometimes that means controlling their environment. Humans are evolved. We are supposed to know enough. Cats need their owners as much as children need their parents to use their knowledge and sometimes tough love to keep them safe, healthy and respectful of others.

By anon341799 — On Jul 15, 2013

Sociopaths will milk you for everything you are worth, but typically will not hurt you physically. Psychopaths will hurt, if not kill you. When people intentionally cause harm to animals it is a big indicator that you’re dealing with a psychotic individual. When children are harming animals, it’s almost always a sign that the child is being sexually abused. They feel powerless in their situation with the abuser. The victim feels powerless and has no control. The victim may often re-create what is happening to them and by harming something smaller than them. Now they are in control.

If you see an adult or child hurting an animal, you should alert the authorities. It doesn’t matter if it’s on private property or not. In a civil society it is wrong and often illegal to cause harm to a possum, raccoon or feral cat. Don’t be fooled by people who use cruel practices as a “deterrent.” My neighbor used a BB gun and shot a feral cat’s eye out. The cat’s name is Elizabeth. Ironically, the reason that she was named that was for her violet colored eyes like Elizabeth Taylor. I had to administer antibiotic medication to a feral cat every day for two months. This poor cat would never let me touch her before this happened. I trapped her and had her spayed when she was younger, using the TNR method. Elizabeth had never let me even pet her even though I fed her every day. Elizabeth did not trust humans -- and for good reason. It was a human somewhere at some point in time who left her to this abandoned life of a feral cat in the first place. It’s the saddest thing in your life to see a cat who is homeless because of humans in the first place, and is intentionally harmed just for simply existing.

TNR [Trap Neuter Release] is the only way to control the feral cat population. If you witness someone hurting an animal, you can be sure this is a warning sign that you are dealing with a dangerous psychopath capable of anything. People know the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong. I don’t care how you justify it. Evildoers do evil things and it is evil to cause pain and maim an animal. A reflection of a civilized society is how we treat our weakest members. Spread awareness and help protect the ones that need to be protected. Do that and you’ll be a hero.

By anon341512 — On Jul 12, 2013

This is hilarious but also so shocking. What's wrong with this picture? Just get over it. They're just cats. My cats smell beautiful and I love them.

I've never smelt or seen their poo around. Cats are very clean animals and dig holes to bury their poo and bury it, unlike dogs. They clean themselves, unlike dogs.

Maybe if people weren't so obsessive, the problem would go away.

By anon334356 — On May 12, 2013

I live in the mountains in Northern Virginia, and I have always and will always use moth balls around the home. Not only is it a great repellent for other cats, but also for other animals that I don't want in my yard (especially skunks, mice, possum, deer, rabbits, cats, dogs, hedgehogs, etc.). I love animals, but I really don't care about other animals crapping, peeing, and tearing up the gardens in my yard. I have a dog and a cat and both are kept inside.

For those who say it dangerous, oh well, maybe you should keep a better eye on your own animals. I see more dead animals on the roads because of cars. And for the record, I have never had a dead animal because of the moth balls. It's the smell they can't stand.

By anon332995 — On May 02, 2013

Thank you anon244485 for your great info. I also have a neighbor who feeds cats and they come and use my yard as a litter. I have five children and three of them are younger than seven years old. It is very annoying because the cat pee smells horrible in the summer. Every time I go out to my yard I have to smell it.

I never let my children go poop in other people's yards, but I am actually thinking about it now. Also, one of my neighbors already told me there is a foul smell in my yard. You would not think so since I am one of those people who keeps a tidy front and back yard with flowers and everything. I am so annoyed. If I wanted poop in my yard, I would get a dog or cat myself, but I do not have a pet and I also acknowledge that keeping pets is a great responsibility. So I choose not to be a pet owner.

By anon328120 — On Apr 01, 2013

You should get a cat that will keep the others in line. Cats are predators and have freedom to roam. To say you "have a right" is just stupid. You have no right to that, none. Their congregating is social/breeding behavior. Having your own killer in the back yard will keep the rest away. You should also know that they never poop in their own garden! Problem solved.

By anon327716 — On Mar 29, 2013

Moth balls will kill a cat so keep that in mind because if I see mothballs and one of my cats get sick, you will pay the vet bill and the police will come for animal abuse. You are not allowed to intentionally poison someone's animal just because it is in your yard. That is against the law in all 50 states.

By anon324581 — On Mar 11, 2013

Everyone here is on the right track. Some love all cats, some love their cats and others just want the problem to stop. There is no right or wrong answer here. If you have a cat and you let it outside, my question to you is, why? If you have a cat and keep it outside, why? If you didn't want the cat then, don't get one. And for those of you who had cats and left them outside and they were not fixed, shame on you! That is why we have the problem we have today.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and what they like but please, be responsible as a pet owner. If you get the pet because it's cute as a baby and then get rid of them when they get older, you don't need a pet! period! This goes for dog owners and cat owners -- all living things!

I have the same problem now with stray cats and I am doing the only thing I can do: taking them to spca. The ones I can catch. For the others, I'm using natural stuff like lemon juice, garlic, etc. which will not hurt the cats. I'm hoping that my pool cover is not damaged now from all the cats that have made it their play room. Sigh. Sometimes you have to wonder where the common sense is.

By anon310254 — On Dec 20, 2012

It saddens me that the world today lacks empathy and that's why so many catastrophes are occurring nowadays. Please try on the other person's shoes for a change.

If I had a cat, I wouldn't let it freely roam around other people's private property and not only cause diseases, but also ruin people's brand new cars and also outside furniture that costs a bundle.

How dare some say people have no heart about animals. Excuse me? They are animals for a reason. Let me distinguish this. I'll bet you wouldn't like it if I pooed all over your freaking property and you stepped on human poop and made your environment all stinky. I always feel these people must be pigs to let these things happen. They must enjoy living in such a disgusting, infested smelly house with so many cats. It's gross. Gosh, get only one cat and take care of it. It's not the neighbor's job to do. People should be ashamed for having no empathy fpr their fellow human beings.

By anon288164 — On Aug 28, 2012

To the anonymous poster who thinks people are selfish because they went to all the trouble to buy or rent a house and actually believe in private property rights:

Okay, I am with you. I will be happily releasing my rabbits, chickens and hogs in the neighborhood. You, of course, will not mind because you are a nice person. When you child gets sick from the chicken feces, no problem. We are all in this together.

If the hog threatens your child, well, you need to teach your child to deal with this. And the kid that's super allergic to rabbits? You'll gladly pay for the trip to the ER so the bunny can enjoy your vegetable garden.

I will bet you would even welcome my peacock, rats and mouse colonies and the cockroaches I raise. If only I knew where you lived, I could move next door and share with you. As for moving if you don't like it, let's hope you're a renter and have a couple of thousand lying around for first and last month at the new place and moving expenses. If you bought, it might take a little more cash to move.

By anon287948 — On Aug 27, 2012

To all you people who claim your cats are "members of the family": do you let your toddlers play in the street? Do you feed your kids cat food? Do you let you 10 year old out at night unsupervised to roam the neighborhood.

Your cat has no more survival skills than a toddler and you claim you love the thing yet you let it get hit by cars, terrorize the neighborhood, etc. So again, do your children play in the street and eat cat food?

By anon283151 — On Aug 02, 2012

There are some seriously selfish people in this world. It sounds like everyone who commented is either a crazy cat lady or a self centered jerk who thinks everyone should bend their lives to make themselves happy.

Killing someone's cat? Really? That is a member of someone's family. No one cares how nice you want your lawn to look and everyone hates that neighbor who tells them what to do. It never works and you sound like an idiot. You chose to live in that neighborhood (obviously filled with crazy women who feed cats day and night). Move to a better neighborhood or get over yourself.

By anon279553 — On Jul 13, 2012

Here's my situation. We spend lots of time and money on flowers and plants, and keep our yard up. My neighbor has a few cats that piss and dig on our property. In fact, I never see them in their own yard. I put a large area of mulch down in a picnic area, and yep, they are using it like a litter box. it's frustrating, to say the least. We don't want to cause trouble or have hard feelings between us, but I don't really know how to let him know we dislike dealing with this. It's not that I don't like cats, I just don't like them ruining my yard! I have tried this dog/cat repellent that is oil based and safe, but it doesn't seem to last.

I'm going to try the coffee grounds and see if that works.

By anon277802 — On Jul 02, 2012

Sounds like there might be a few "crazy cat ladies" posting on this board. I have a right to not have 16 cats using my yard as their personal toilet. Perhaps people should let their kids wander onto your property and destroy it? Hey, they're just little kids, they're bored, if you were a more compassionate person you'd allow them to have fun and rip up your yard! (sarcasm).

The woman next door feeds up to 16 stray cats. They have several of their own cats that wander outside along with the strays. Neighbors have complained and the town has send officers out to investigate. Unfortunately, they show up at midday when all the cats are hiding from the summer heat. Then the neighbor's adult son lies to the officers and says there aren't a lot of cats in the area.

The woman's own daughter has a baby and won't visit the house unless the neighbor stops feeding the stray cats. They poop, pee, mark their territory, and fight up and down the street. Well, the neighbor chose the cats over her daughter/grandchild visiting.

By anon266599 — On May 07, 2012

Cats are not native in the wild and thus do not belong to roam free. Pets should be kept inside. I have issues with feral cats living behind and under my shed. They are vermin and will be treated as such! People need to spay or neuter them.

People, be responsible keep your beloved pets inside. I don't allow my dog to roam free!

By anon266010 — On May 03, 2012

We tried selling our house a few years ago because of the dozens of feral cats who occupy our yard and leave their feces from one end of our property to the other. We have three neighbors who feed these cats and they are all fat and arrogant.

We have very likely seen 300 or more cats on our property in the past three years. They wake us at 2 or 3 in the morning constantly and mate and create new generations. Our neighbor feeds them and ushers in the next dozen. These people could care less about us.

The cats' territorial wars are often fought on our property. They have broken two of our living room windows. People who love cats apparently love them more than other people because my complaints have gone unanswered.

The local animal control refuses to lift a finger and the local "humane shelter/cat lovers expect me to trap a large angry diseased feral cat and put it in my car for transport. Sure.

By anon244485 — On Feb 01, 2012

Here are some facts that will hopefully settle the debate over stray/outdoor/indoor-outdoor cats. While I can only hope that this information will be viewed in the logical way they will presented, I know that there always be the “crazy cat ladies” out there who will continue with wanton disregard for these facts and the law, continue to argue their “point” of how cats should be able to do anything they want. Common sense puts them in the category of what they are, lonely trolls, while the rest of us use our brains to see things as they truly are.

First we will start with the description of vermin. The following description can be seen at various sources from dictionary’s, encyclopedias and wiki’s.

Vermin is a term applied to various animal species regarded as pests or nuisances and especially to those associated with the carrying of disease, through transmission of larvae in their feces, direct contact, and the transmission/transportation of fleas.

Now, for those with common sense, you will now realize that cats are vermin. They carry diseases such as mange, rabies, plague, zoonotic diseases, ringworm, strep, salmonella, campylobacteria, Pasteurella, and the list goes on and on. In addition, their feces carry and transmit a plethora of diseases known to cause serious illness and even death to humans and canines. Cats also carry fleas, and are as suspect as rats for the transmission as spread of the numerous plagues that have decimated human populations throughout time.

Any cat, whether a stray or a cat that is allowed to wander outside of a strictly controlled indoor environment, has the potential of carrying diseases that are spread through direct contact, spread through their feces, or through the fleas and ticks that live on them. It only takes letting your cat out once to come into contact with these diseases or parasites, and then from that point on they will spread them wherever they go.

I personally have lost two beloved family pets because of cats. One came into contact with feces left in my fenced yard, and the other with fleas carrying disease. In both instances, they died because even though I kept my pets strictly confined in a controlled environment, neighborhood “indoor/outdoor” cats had easy access to that environment, and contaminated it. Whether a “pure stray” or a cat that is let outside for short amounts of time, they cannot be stopped from spreading disease wherever they go. Simply put, if you have contributed to a cat that is loose in the environment, even if it is only by feeding strays, you are guilty in turn of contributing to the contamination of that environment, period. This means all you people out there that want to plea about being kind to animals, wake up. You are actually hurting it.

Moving on, as cats are a non-native species to 99-plus percent of the areas they are currently found in, we must consider what damage they have done to those environments. Just like any other non-native species, such as the African bee, rats, mussels and the list goes on, it is a simple fact that introducing a non-native species will in turn cause unbalance and severe damage to the natural habit of those species already there. In the Hawaiian Islands alone, the introduction of cats into the environment has directly caused the extinction of many entire species of rare birds and other animals. Cats in these environments have no natural predators, so they breed unchecked and destroy the native species of those areas. This problem has gotten so bad that programs were developed to pay “ransom fees” to those providing proof of killing feral cats. Knowing this, and claiming yourself to be an “animal lover,” are you still willing to deny the facts and defend cats that are let out of a restrictive environment? I am sure there will be, because some people are so blind as to their own ideas, they will continue to defend cats no matter what proof of the damage they are causing to all the other wildlife in the area, as if cats should somehow be the only animals on the planet with the right to live. I personally find it disgusting that people could blindly and without any regard, make such an argument.

Every year, more and more cities and local towns are coming to realize the impact of having cats run free, and like my city, have finally taken serious steps to counter the out of control cat situations. Jacksonville Florida has such a severe problem with cats running free and being supported by people feeding them that they have passed laws that declare anyone who feeds a cat as its legal owner, and therefore legally responsible for anything it does. Along with this, laws were introduced to subject “owners” of cats that were allowed to wander out of their yards into another to be subject to severe fines. In addition, there are large fines for that animal not being tagged, not being leashed, allowing cats to defecate in others yards, and so on.

Cities, towns and states are finally coming to realize that simply capturing, neutering and releasing cats is doing nothing for the environment, and is only placating those against the euthanization of the out of control cat populations. One of my neighbors recently was fined a total of $6,200 for seven violations of these laws by just one cat. This came after years of our neighbors making complaints about her cat terrorizing the neighborhood, incidents ranging from the cat attacking their family pet while being in their fenced back yard, to several cases of disease spread to pets, damages to personal property such as window screens to paint on cars. These things happen all the time, and for some reason are defended by so called “cat lovers” everywhere.

Tell me this: if a dog were running out of control in your neighborhood, would you allow it to happen? Would you defend its “rights” to do these things? I’ll bet not. Cats are no different than dogs, (or humans for that matter) in that they have no inherent right to run free and do as they will, period.

Several of my neighbors and I have worked diligently over the years to curb this problem, because it got to the point that, in addition to the problems stated above, local housing prices went into the dump just because there were so many cats running around loose, that potential buyers wouldn’t even consider moving here, no matter what the price. Many have joined in the effort to trap and remove the cats to the local animal control, where they are euthanized. We now have a neighborhood relatively free of free-roaming animals, and a safe place to live for our children and pets. Stand up and do something to defend your rights to protect your family, pets and property from vermin of all kinds.

By anon239344 — On Jan 08, 2012

I have a neighbor who feeds my cat and then complains that the cat is hanging around her porch. Well, stop feeding it. I like to let my cat our a few hours a day because it howls if not (it's fixed). This neighbor has the nerve to show up at my door at 9:30 on a Friday night, to fight over this and my cat is sitting up on her veranda just minding his own business. I guess they don't want the animal invading their space. O.K., I get it, but why do you feed it?

You know, my cat, in no way looks like she's undernourished; she's fat. And then the neighbor realized that we had a another kitten that my 16 year old brought home, and had a flip attack.

So I am going to keep the cat in. The kitten has never been out. He's been here two days, with no issues but then I am back to work tomorrow and my son doesn't care one way or another. He will let the darn thing out again.

By anon224500 — On Oct 23, 2011

I'm an animal lover myself but I find it extremely rude that my anti social neighbor with no life, no friends or family has nothing better to do but keep feeding stray cats that use my yard as a bathroom! They are like gremlins that keep multiplying.

If you are an animal lover who feels the need to feed stray animals go buy a damn farm so you're not destroying other people's property.

I don't think it's fair that me and my family have to suffer because she feeds these cats! my daughter can't even play in our yard. I will do whatever it takes to get rid of these cats. So for all you animal lovers that love the smell of cat pee and poo, shut up unless you plan on coming over and cleaning up after these cats all day!

By anon223844 — On Oct 20, 2011

no, there isn't such a law.

By anon223781 — On Oct 20, 2011

is there any law that can prevent us from having to deal with these neghbours' pet pooping problems?

By anon221728 — On Oct 13, 2011

a couple of days ago, a stray cat that we used to feed came home in bad shape. since it came to my home, I felt it was my duty to bring it to the vet instead of letting it suffer and eventually die. it was in such a bad shape that it had to be put to sleep. like most people, I could not care but that's not how the world should revolve. I wish more people would be open minded when it comes to animals.

By anon221158 — On Oct 11, 2011

We, Humans, created the feline over-population problem, so if someone is doing more than their fair share, be friendly and work together on solving the problem.

I live in a TH community, noticed a few stray cats with babies, notified the HOA, got permission to trap, vaccinate/test, alter, ear tip and release. A lot of what is posted on this thread are untrue myths that support euthanasia, which simply does not work. TNTR, or trap/neuter/test/release, allows these cats to live their life cycle without reproducing. I have winter shelters complete with heated water bowls and feeding stations in my backyard. I reach out to my neighbors and address concerns, I educate about how to stop them coming into yards, walking on cars and getting into garbage. Trust me, cats would much rather eat cat food than garbage!

Community relations are important, so be proactive and alert/educate your neighbors about your efforts, ask kindly for donations. However, if you decide to take this on, *you* are accepting the responsibility and not anyone else. If you are simply feeding them and not altering them, you are causing more of a problem! Most areas have low cost/no cost spay/neuter programs for feral cats. And it is not a stray cat's fault their family dumped them without getting them fixed and they only know they are hungry and want to eat.

By anon218491 — On Sep 29, 2011

A lot of you talk about catching these cats and having them spayed or neutered, but why should I have to pay for someone else's cats' problems. Our neighbor's cat wakes us up at 2 or 3 in the morning with another cat right outside our bedroom window and believe me, that is not a sound you want to hear at that hour.

Moth balls, coffee grounds, whatever it takes these cats will get the message. If you love your cats so much, keep them in your house or yard.

By anon212602 — On Sep 07, 2011

Well yes, I do feel it's inhuman to cause harm to animals. They are urinating, but not doing any harm that can hurt you or your family. It's not like they do it on purpose.

By anon210275 — On Aug 29, 2011

You guys are all cruel and cold hearted. Instead of helping hungry cats and doing the humane thing by helping them, not calling animal control which will euthanize them.

Anyone listening to this cruel article, I hope you and your family walk around hungry and everyone shuns you. Sick people.

By anon209889 — On Aug 28, 2011

Moth balls are deadly not only to cats, but also to dogs, children and any other wildlife! Please try something more humane/

By anon209888 — On Aug 28, 2011

Post #13: How dare you take a pet cat and drop it off in an abandoned area? Why not just take it to the shelter! Maybe someone more responsible will adopt it. It is very hard to keep some cats indoors. They, in general are much more wild than dogs.

If your neighbor is so irresponsible that she lets her cat get fleas and does not treat it and makes no efforts to keep her cat out of your yard after being asked, then she does not deserve the cat. But, how dare you make the poor cat suffer because of an irresponsible human being? That cat won't have a very long life living in the wild like that! If you have already taken it to an abandoned area, please go try and get it and take it to a shelter or a rescue. Please, please have some compassion.

By anon199073 — On Jul 21, 2011

I was sick of an inconsiderate neighbor feeding stray cats, and made no reasonable response to my complaints. I found urine, crap and up to 15 cats at feeding time. I bought a trap, hid it and caught all of them over time and took them to animal control. I let her "inside/outside" cat go though.

My advice to those with this problem: say nothing and trap them and remove them.

By jennosop — On Jun 24, 2011

I'm almost on the same page here. I have a few cats, about three, and I support stray cats as well. Got them sprayed and vaccinated and all, still the neighbours complain that these cats do potty in their yard.

At first, I was embarrassed but then it came to me that not only am I feeding these stray cats, I didn't ask for a cent from these neighbours. It gets a bit annoying especially whenever these neighbours have any kind of problems and they ask us for help, we don't even think twice about taking a huge amount of time out to help them. Still they complain.

I mean, if i happen to spot the poop I would go over there and clean it myself, but I guess being nice these days doesn't count for anything.

By anon188465 — On Jun 20, 2011

I don't know where i heard this, but it works and is not harmful to the cats. I had cats that would use my garden as a bathroom. All you have to do is sprinkle pepper over the ground! Once they get a whiff, they won't be digging any more holes there. You will have to repeatedly spread the pepper out though due to wind, rain, etc.

By anon184424 — On Jun 08, 2011

I have lived in my neighborhood 20 yrs and everyone has a cat but me. I have tried everything and nothing works. The cats now have started pooping on top of my day lilies! Any ideas?

By anon180739 — On May 27, 2011

no 13 and no 29: What I find hilarious about this is that what 13 proposes is, in fact, illegal. Your daughter has asthma, so whose responsibility is it to ensure her safety and well being? is it your neighbor's? nope, that is your responsibility.

From the neighbor's perspective, why should she listen to you? I doubt you confronted her in any sort of pleasant manner, probably coming over all huffy about the cat in your yard. She probably doesn't believe you that your daughter has asthma or is allergic to cats. Why should she? You're the crazy lady across the way that came jogging at her one day and started gripping about her cat.

Also, it's one cat. People in here have problems with multiple cats and you're complaining about one, lazy even, cat. It can't be that hard keeping one cat out of your back yard. You just don't want to lift a finger to stop it, and that is why your husband is taking the cat into the abandoned part of town and why you want your neighbor to keep his one cat out of your yard, because you aren't willing to lift a finger to keep the cat out of your yard. Seriously, it isn't that hard. Now 29 has a real problem.

By anon180730 — On May 27, 2011

If you want them gone, just trap them and haul them off. Reasoning with your neighbor may work, but if they identify the cats as outdoor cats they aren't going to police their cats for you. considering it is way too much of their effort for your benefit.

And for you "why should I have to pay for blah blah blah" people, they aren't doing anything illegal, why should you expect them to do anything about it or pay for anything? Yeah it's their cat and their responsibility, but only to the extent the law requires and the only person with a problem in the situation is you. You have the problem, so you fix it.

To use the ever overused child argument in this thread, plenty of parents only look after their kids to the extent the law requires, and many parents will boot their children out the door the minute they turn 18 regardless of if they are ready or not. If their child becomes homeless or a drug addict, well not my problem. If they are capable of doing this to their own children, what makes you think they are going to give the extra time or money for stupid cats?

They feel they aren't doing anything wrong/illegal so they only see it as your problem, and given that most people are selfish, they don't care about your problems.

By anon179462 — On May 23, 2011

Feral cats are dangerous vermin. They kill indiscriminately and carry diseases. They destroy wildlife. They are worse than rodents. I shoot on sight.

By anon177448 — On May 18, 2011

I don't hate cats but when they leave dead baby rabbits all over my yard, and the owner just shrugs it off I have a problem. now last night it had a run in with a skunk right under my open windows. Suffice it to say I will spend the day trying to get the smell out of my house. I blame the pet owner just as much as the cat--maybe he should be cleaning my house.

By anon176875 — On May 16, 2011

You should all grow up.

Fact: *Humans" are the problem: Wahh wahh. Cats this, cats that. your pet has a problem? Take it to the vet! Cats crapping in your yard? Get a life! Who cares? Animals were meant to be outdoor creatures, not your possessions. Animals don't trap people in doors like greedy savages? pathetic humans.

By anon176099 — On May 14, 2011

Trap them and then take them to the local animal control. My local office will take cats and dogs, spay or neuter them, and then hold them until the owner reclaims them.

Hopefully they also bill the owners for the surgery, room and board instead of using my tax dollars to address a problem they created.

By anon175283 — On May 12, 2011

I am six months pregnant with my fifth baby and all my kids play in the back yard. I noticed five baby cats and six adult cats around my back yard.

The other night I walked to the laundry room outside of house and one of the cats jumped on me. I almost fell back but was able balance myself and I was not happy because I was afraid of getting scratched or getting hurt myself and my unborn baby or my other kids. Who knows what kind of diseases they have. I will have to call animal control for help.

By anon173549 — On May 07, 2011

i still like the mothballs but i am concerned that it will harm the cat, so i sprayed vinegar and black pepper. We'll see if that works.

By anon171413 — On Apr 30, 2011

Our neighbor's cat keeps jumping in our yard and then we notice our dog has fleas. I get bitten occasionally, every three or so weeks on the leg (not sure if it's from fleas or another insect) which turns into large water filled blisters the size of half a golf ball. As an advanced society, is it all right to allow one's cat to do as it wishes on other people's property? Do all lawmakers own cats or something? Something needs to be done. Dob in and fine people who leave their cats outside. sounds good.

By anon170806 — On Apr 27, 2011

I like several ideas that I heard. I am thinking of putting two tips together for a very effective solution. I will shoot mothballs at them with a slingshot. Sick of the pooping, hairballs and "gifty" dead birds on my porch.

By anon170553 — On Apr 26, 2011

My neighbor feeds 14 cats and then allows them to roam the neighborhood. They come into my carport and sleep on the hood of my car. There are scratches all over my car. I've talked to him and all he does is smile and say "at least there are no more mice." Well now he's ill and can't feed them anymore and they have become a nuisance to the neighbors. I will take whatever means to rid them from my yard, humane or not. I'm allergic to them and am constantly sick from them.

By anon166708 — On Apr 09, 2011

For quite some time, i have been pestered with stray cats coming inside the yard, leaving the place reeking with urine and feces. I'll try the tips here to get rid of these unwanted animals. I haven't tried these yet, but I say, thank you.

By anon164112 — On Mar 30, 2011

If a cat pooping in your yard or lying on your furniture is your biggest problem in life, well aren't you the lucky one?

Why don't people stop griping on public forums about what a rotten time they are having and do something positive and selfless instead.

By anon162795 — On Mar 24, 2011

Many years ago we had a problem with stray cats coming under the house in the early hours during the dark. Apart from the smell of their urine the used to be quite noisy. So wondering how I could deter them without actually hurting them I went out and bought an Audi sub machine gun (Only a toy) it had an electric pump and would spray water up to thirty foot.

Knowing cats have a strong sense of smell, I filled the gun with cloudy ammonia. Then early one morning I lay in wait for them. As they came under the house I fired the gun at them. I missed the cats, however the ammonia soaked into the ground and the house foundation supports. This kept the cats away for over 18 months then I simply repeated the exercise. No more cat problem.

Then the property next door was bought and cleared, ready for the new owners to build on. As they cleared all the scrub and bush. many rabbits started to come on our property. They were digging holes in the lawn and decimating the vegetable garden. So I thought if ammonia worked for cats, why not for rabbits. So I used my water gun to simply spray the boundary of my whole property (Not the whole area, just the boundary line) and we have never seen a rabbit on our property since that day.

It is quick and easy and really works. Regards, Peter (aquaman)

By anon161804 — On Mar 21, 2011

Every house surrounding me me has at least one cat, some three, and they use my garden as the toilet. I want to throw their 'doings' back into the neighbor's gardens but they have children playing so it isn't right as it could be harmful to them.

I need some suggestions as I have tried sprays, plants, repellents, sonic guns, water. My options are gradually dwindling to a few hand held items.

As for the people saying catch them and spay, what the hell are you on about? I pay enough as it is for the scum of the society, let alone paying for their pets too! There should be the same laws as dogs, leash it or lose it!

By anon160514 — On Mar 16, 2011

I too have a cat problems in my yard. I would have trapped them and dumped them but my wife will not forgive me. People who love their cats should not let them loose to do what they want. We wouldn't allow dog owners to do it.

Homeowners should be allowed to trap them and turn them in at no cost. Perhaps cats should be banned as pit bull dogs are. Enough is enough.

By anon158493 — On Mar 07, 2011

I have tried black pepper, pine cones and vinegar. I just want to grow a garden and have it left alone. Not used as a large litter box.

By anon157221 — On Mar 01, 2011

when we moved into our home, the neighbors were feeding at least 30 feral cats. They were pooping in the yard because the house was abandoned for about six months. We used paintball guns just to scare them out of the yard. Our own two cats learned that when they heard the sound that it was not meant for them. Only one time did we actually hit a cat as he was hidden in the tall grass. We just point and shoot the general direction. The splatter washes away and is nontoxic but did the trick in a few days. They learned fast that our yard was not for them and they would stay out. I also used spray bottle of vinegar to get rid of the spray smell and to deter further spaying. It worked great.

By anon156357 — On Feb 26, 2011

i am somebody who deals with an irresponsible cat "hoarding" neighbor. I live in an urban environment so we all live very close together.

I support those at the point of doing whatever it takes to fix the problem. I don't even mind when someone has a lot of cats (like six), but my neighbor has 30+ in and out of the house all day and of course they use my yard as a toilet. People need to understand that there is a difference between a cat enthusiast and a hoarder.

By anon156144 — On Feb 25, 2011

Can anyone tell me the best way to get cat piss off the interior of a car? There are stray cats in my neighborhood. I left my window down today in my own driveway, got into my car,and it smells of cat piss. I'm pretty pissed off as you can imagine.

I wanted to shoot it, but my wife talked me out of it. Any help would be appreciated.

By anon145472 — On Jan 23, 2011

Again, I come home to find the cat has used my garden as its bathroom. I have been using moth balls it seemed to help for a while but not today. So I scooped up the poop at throw it in front of the neighbor's garage. Let them clean up their cat's poop.

I swear I am going to catch that cat and take it too the shelter. I have had enough of this irresponsible neighbor. Her kids are noisy, too. maybe I need to catch them and take them to a shelter too.

By anon144678 — On Jan 20, 2011

In response to post #57:

"And what would your suggestion be in what to do with stray cats?"

Well, all the stray cats of the world can live with you. That way, you can have a real hands on in getting experience in humane population control. You're going to need a front end loader for all the litter.

My neighbor has a steady stream of female cats in heat and males are constantly spraying the area as a result. Very frustrating. Basically, he/she is a hoarder and works with a local no-kill shelters to populate the planet with cats. Cats that should have never existed but do because of some sick person's obsession.

Fix all of your cats as I have done with mine and keep the mind on the up and up: animals belong on the floor, not on the counter tops.

By anon143947 — On Jan 18, 2011

I have two cats that come in our yard every night around 2-3 am. They continue making noise throughout the rest of the night so that I can't sleep. Don't know who owns them, but am very tired of them. I have owned cats in the past and never were they bothersome to neighbors.

I may try the moth balls that anon35018. I'm looking for a cheap way to get rid of them.

By anon143843 — On Jan 18, 2011

I'm a pet mom of five (four cats and a dog). We have so many stray cats in our neighborhood. Currently four or five are constantly on our porch. Tonight four of them attacked my small papillon (who is no bigger than a cat). I'm at my last straw. My husband shot at one with an airsoft rifle. I'm all for having pets, but people should not have free roaming pets. You wouldn't have a free roaming child would you?

By anon139500 — On Jan 04, 2011

Anon, get a life. I just want cats to quit pooping in my yard when my Great Dane thinks the poop is dessert!

By anon138224 — On Dec 30, 2010

I have a strange problem with cats; it seems that my neighbors cats find some sort of enjoyment by hanging around my house. I get SO tired of coming home and as I am pulling into my driveway I can see a cat lazily walking across my new patio as if I am disturbing its slumber.

I do not have cats or dogs so I am clueless about what attracts them to our house. Recently I noticed a cat strolling in my backyard and a few minutes later I noticed another cat relaxing on my windowsill -what is that about? The deal breaker for me was one evening I was listening to music in my living room and as I proceeded to open my front door there were three cats chilling on my stoop. I am sick of this.

Does anyone know what might be attracting to my house? I hate to hurt them but this is too much!

By anon135920 — On Dec 20, 2010

If the cat owning neighbors don't respond to your request, I assume they don't care any more for the cats than they do you.

We live trap chronic offender cats and animal control will pick them up. If they are pets, they have collars and tags and the owners are notified(and pay a fine for reclaiming them). if not, they are put up for adoption, and/or are put to sleep.

We have coyotes here in our crowded urban neighborhood. I have found the front half of a cat in my yard. I don't feel so bad about sending them to a quiet death; that is a more humane end than being torn apart and eaten. I know, I was awakened by the sounds in the middle of the night, and I hope to never hear that again.

Please, cat lovers (i am one) keep your pets inside. The birds and I will thank you!

By anon131581 — On Dec 02, 2010

I live next to a crazy lady. I know there are 15 cats roaming around my front and back lawn. I can't feed the birds any more. they crap in my flower beds and berry patch. She told me I inherited them when I moved here. The cats drive my little cavalier spaniel crazy and I know cats spread diseases. I am getting me a slingshot. City Hall won't do anything and said do what you have to do. It has to stop. My little dog is leashed. why not cats?

By milagros — On Nov 16, 2010

To anon127180:

I am shocked that you would mention cats, dogs and children in the same breath.

Yes we need to be kind to animals, and yes, children can be loud and annoying sometimes, but to put humans and animals on the same level is frankly so misguided.

On top of that, no child comes into my backyard and leaves a mess behind, while my neighbors cat chooses to mess up my yard over and over again.

And what would your suggestion be in what to do with stray cats?

By anon127180 — On Nov 15, 2010

We all live in this world. I like dogs, others like cats, and others like children. I can complain about screaming kids, here or there. But honestly, we have to respect each other's interest and be able to resolve things.

I cannot believe people that feel they have the right to take someone's cat and drive it away? Have you thought about the pain the owners feel? I would love to get rid of the children next door, but you know what? I bear with their constant nuisance, noise and harassment against my dogs. Be peaceful people, regardless of what feelings you may have! Because, in the end, we only have this world with all different people and creatures!

By anon121997 — On Oct 26, 2010

I am so annoyed with the cats in my yard. When the weather is nice I open the windows and smell nothing but cat urine. I am not going to catch them and pay for them at the SPCA. There needs to be a law to keep this situation under control.

By anon119372 — On Oct 17, 2010

My neighbors complained that my four indoor-outdoor cats were killing birds, so I built an enclosed "cat porch." Now, they can go "outside" without roaming the neighborhood.

Next, another neighbor's cat started hanging around my house, crapping and yowling and teasing my indoor cats, causing them to spray in my house. I complained to the neighbor three times. No response. So I rented a trap, trapped the cat, and took it to the county animal shelter. End of problem.

By anon118629 — On Oct 14, 2010

In my flower beds, I use pine needles as a mulch. I either get the pine needles from my neighbors or buy a bale at the local feed and garden store. I like the way the pine needles look and smell.

It seems that the prickly nature of the pine needles deters the cats from pooping in my flower beds. Maybe they don't like them needles sticking their behinds. I need to find something for the other areas. Maybe this idea will help someone.

By anon116604 — On Oct 07, 2010

I have cats. one stays indoors and the other one is more like a dog and he stays where i am when I'm outside. I go in and he goes in.

Where i live we have to buy a tag for cats and dogs and i guess the people around feel they can leave their cats out 24/7. Just recently one of those cats have started leaving feces on our front porch and i need to know what is the safest way of making sure that it will not happen again without endangering my cat or the others.

I don't care about the garden as much as i do the front porch. Please help.

By anon113713 — On Sep 25, 2010

any of you people saying kill the cats are screwed up in the head. You think cats are a problem? stop having all these kids. We are overpopulated with people, not cats. that's all i got for you.

By anon112075 — On Sep 19, 2010

Trap and relocate! That's the only way to get rid of the problem! If your neighbors don't care that the cat is is a problem to you then they care enough for the cat, eliminate the problem!

By anon110487 — On Sep 12, 2010

Do the humane thing? yeah, i think natural instinct says to trap and eat them but this isn't a third world country. There are more than enough cats in the world and the strays pooping in my yard is the last straw. I wish there was some type of domesticated animal that would eat them. How's that for humane.

By anon109749 — On Sep 08, 2010

Love the idea of collecting cat poop and putting on the owner's porch. Perfect. After all, the cats do what nature tell them to; the owners have a choice. I scare the living daylights out of all of the (very well fed) cats owned by neighbors. Does not always work, but running at them, hissing loudly, etc. does scare them. I have also used Shakeaway with some success.

What I could really use would be a fox or wolf. Those little bird killers need a predator of their own. Truly, those of you who let your cats crap endlessly in others peoples' yards and kill birds should be publicly flogged.

By anon107695 — On Aug 31, 2010

Spaying the cat at *my* expense isn't going to stop it from turning my kids' sandbox into their personal toilet. I'm also allergic to cats and I won't own or handle them. Why should I have to bother with trapping and relocating them?

I think moth balls sounds tempting about now. As for the people who turned this into a cats vs. kids topic: get over it. You were a child once too. My kids don't ruin your sandbox.

By anon106255 — On Aug 24, 2010

I cannot stand cats. Where we used to live, they hung all around the dumpster. Now where I live the neighbor has a cat and I threw water on it when it came over in my yard.

I know that cat poos on my patio so i spray bug spray around the area. If it does it again i will come up with something where it will never come in my yard again.

By anon105758 — On Aug 22, 2010

I'm so tired of hearing, "do the humane thing ... these cats are creatures, and they hurt." Well, rats are creatures, too, and they feel pain, yet I don't think anyone has any problem with trapping and killing rats, or feeding them rat poison. I stepped in cat crap today while playing with my young daughters in our fenced-in yard. I'll be damned if I'm going to trap them and then pay out of my pocket to have them "fixed." If you're contemplating "permanent" solutions, don't let others make you feel guilty -- you do whatever it takes.

By shadowpup — On Aug 11, 2010

Anon35018: You should know that moth balls are toxic, harmful and deadly to any type animal and human beings. Respectfully please go online and do some research on moth balls. I wouldn't be surprised with the cats were dead. Moth balls should not ever be around children in any amount at any time. Please, please look into this "deadly solution."

By anon102017 — On Aug 06, 2010

black pepper and vinegar will be a tremendous help so try it. then you'll see the result.

By anon100629 — On Jul 30, 2010

Just bought my first home. I have invested time, sweat and lots of money to beautify my new home. It is the pride of the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, I live next to the crazy cat lady. She has two indoor cats and she feeds about 10 stray cats. I asked her not to feed the cats. She seemed to turn a deaf ear. I have tried every thing I have: geraniums, put down shake away, citrus peels, coffee grounds you name it. I am getting desperate. The county and city won't help. My son suggested other methods. I don't want to get to this point. Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. Has any one ever used an ultrasonic cat deterrent? Did it work?

By anon95185 — On Jul 11, 2010

Happy(?)to see that I am not alone. My garden is a mess; the time and money I spent to beautify my yard for my enjoyment was a waste. These cat owners are extremely selfish individuals. They can't be bothered with the responsibilities that go along with owning a pet, so let someone else clean up the mess.

Cats are property, but the city obviously doesn't see it that way. Otherwise, it would not be okay for one neighbor's property to destroy another's or to interfere with the enjoyment of their property. Although a leash law doesn't exist for cats, there is something called "consideration" that should be practiced, especially in such close communities.

By anon91779 — On Jun 23, 2010

OK, I'm going to have to agree with comment #13. When I pull up in my car and get out, all I can smell is cat crap in our yard. Most days when I come out of the house the porch is wet with their pee. It smells terrible.

These cats are constantly in heat. There is a free kittens sign out front of their house. Since the last litter, we have counted 14 cats in all, and believe another cat is now pregnant.

My husband and I are both disabled and we don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on spaying and neutering cats who don't belong to us.

At first I tried to use a spray bottle, then a water hose, and then my husband got a airsoft gun that shoots little plastic BBs. It doesn't hurt but they don't like it. We can't seem to be fast enough to catch them, or don't have our ammo on us at the time.

I have told my neighbor we are shooting at them and she doesn't care. I have made it clear that we are fed up, and she does not care. We cannot afford all of the sprays, powders, and motion sensored sprinklers. We can afford a cage trap, but we cannot afford the shelter fees.

I also have a pitbull and a lab, and the cats outsmart the two dogs. I don't know what else to do other than trap them. The city won't help us either.

By anon90830 — On Jun 18, 2010

Fox urine isn't near as effective as coyote urine, wolf is even better. You can buy it as a spray. Hit the top and bottom of your fence and all around the perimeter.

By anon89967 — On Jun 13, 2010

I had the problem of my neighbors cats using my kids sandbox as a toilet and I found the best way to keep them away is with a motion activated sprinkler. It doesn't have any strong smells and I didn't have to worry about chemicals where my kids play. To get more info look online.

By anon88802 — On Jun 07, 2010

I am a cat owner and five of the cats we have we inherited because people didn't get their "pets" spayed or neutered. It's a very simple fix and can be prevented. There are low spay-neuter programs out there.

We are responsible and did the right thing and they are all fixed. Four of them are outdoor pets but they stay in our fenced in yard since they are all declawed.

My philosophy is if you want to have a pet then take care of it and do the right thing. Why should your lack of responsibility become my issue? That's ridiculous!

As far as comments about trapping them and taking them somewhere else like an abandoned part of town, that is not right at all, and is inhumane. Remember these are creatures, as annoying as they are, and they do hurt and suffer like us, and it is not fair that they suffer because of human stupidity.

I understand the frustration but come on. My suggestion is to trap them and find a low cost spay-neuter program. I found one that did them for under $15 per cat. While I know it shouldn't be anyone else's problem, this is the only way to solve the problem.

If the humane society won't come get them, then trap them yourself and take them there, even if it costs you money. Do the humane thing guys.

By anon87859 — On Jun 01, 2010

i have a very big garden and used to enjoy working in the garden. Now i am awfully scared as there is cat poo all over the garden, even on the car port that is concrete.

I didn't know had trampled the cat poo in my drive way and had brought it all over the house. i am getting frustrated and feel as if i am living in a unit. can someone help me?

By anon87611 — On May 31, 2010

I've read that citrus smell will deter them also. Cut up some lemons and oranges and throw them under your porch or around barns, sheds, etc.

By anon86980 — On May 27, 2010

i hope some of your solutions work for me. My neighbor has so many cats i have stopped counting them.

i have only lived here six months and am trying to be a good neighbor, but i don't like cats and they have turned my flower bed into a toilet. There are flies around my front door and the pee and poop smell is driving my family crazy. People who own cats should have to keep them in their own yards like those of us who have dogs. i keep house dogs, so the cats are not afraid. my dogs are inside and my neighbor's eight or nine cats should be, also.

By anon86726 — On May 26, 2010

If you want to keep your cat then keep it in your house and away from mine. You may not care if they get under your house and tear it up, but I do. I care about my home even though you don’t care about yours.

I also know you don’t care about the piles of crap on your lawn that they leave. You must like the flies and the smell. Keep them where they belong- in your house.

By anon81892 — On May 03, 2010

I have a nice backyard with lots of flowers and I enjoy feeding the birds. I am sick to death of my neighbors' cats coming over to my yard to do their business and eat the birds. The Humane Society and city have not been any help!

Why do the cats love my yard so much and how do I get rid of them? I bought a live cage trap last year and caught 14 cats in a few weeks. The problem is what to do with them once I trap them! Help!

By anon81382 — On May 01, 2010

Okay guys, I have sat here and read all these tear jerking solutions for taking care of pee smells and covering up all of your cat poop.

I, for one, do not like your cat peeing or pooping in my yard. If you are attached to this furry creature, then keep it inside and put it on a leash when the urge hits and walk him.

Oh yes, the way you get rid of the nasty smell of fluffy is spread a little bit of baking soda on it. My yard and I do not need anyone telling me what to spread around to keep their cats' smell down.

Your cat has a home. I suggest you keep him there.

By anon80989 — On Apr 29, 2010

Shut up all you people griping about the neighbors feeding the cats. As long as the neighbor is being responsible and getting them spayed/neutered, it's not a problem. I find obnoxious, snot-nosed kids to be much more annoying running around screaming all day. I'd much rather have cats on my lawn than a bunch of children.

By anon78540 — On Apr 19, 2010

dear everyone with the problem of cat poop in your yard, pick it up put it in a bag, and put it on your neighbor's front porch. it's their problem, they are feeding the cats, so it should be their responsibility to take care of the poop.

By anon77498 — On Apr 14, 2010

I am with you all about the cats! I have a neighbor that feeds the wild cats and they like to come to our backyard to poop! I have two small children and we play and run around in our yard. I am sick of stepping in someone else's cat poop. I have to watch where the kids step as well.

Why can't I have a choice, it is my backyard. Get a leash! Dogs have to have leashes, so I don't see why cats can just roam around!

And all you cat people, if you love them so much, please keep them inside with you. And don't get me wrong, I like cats but not the poop in my backyard. Help find a solution!

By anon76078 — On Apr 08, 2010

I have three neighbors in a small circle that harbor wild cats. They feed them, let them run wild, leave their garage doors partly open and do not care. I have talked to them and they are not going to change. I cannot walk outside without smelling cat piss. I cannot open my windows because all I smell is cat piss. What can I do?

By anon75070 — On Apr 05, 2010

My neighbor's cat is in my yard 20 hours out of 24. Under my seven-foot high deck, in the kids' sandbox, digging holes to get under the wood shed, curling up in the sunny window of my kids' playhouse.

My oldest daughter has asthma and is allergic also to cats, horses, and seasonal allergies.

My neighbor is not willing to keep their cat inside, or in their yard, or get rid of it, so I guess my husband will be taking the cat for a ride into a deserted part of town.

And I don't mean for him to leave it there as someone else's problem. Unfortunately, cats are sometimes a pest because of the owners. So we have to take measures not suitable to some.

Maybe some of the rest of you just need to hear this in order to take care of your problem cat.

By anon70860 — On Mar 16, 2010

If people were more responsible about getting their cats spayed and neutered, there would not be such a huge feral cat population.

I had 16 cats spayed and neutered on my block and it cost me $800. In order to trap them I had to feed them first and get them used to coming to my house.

I still feed them but under controlled conditions. I do not leave the food down all day and night. My neighbor across the street gets angry because she is used to letting her dogs out to roam around on the front lawn and they eat the cat poop. Well, I also have three dogs and they are walked on a leash just like everyone else in the neighborhood does.

Cats are loving animals and it is not their fault that humans are irresponsible. I found that sprinkling baking soda in the dirt gets rid of the smell of urine and it is not harmful to the cats at all.

By anon70693 — On Mar 15, 2010

Me and my husband feel desperate with the whole bunch of cats using our front and back yard as a toilet, this is amazing, we do not want to hurt them, but we are sick and tired to clean our back yard every day.

my neighbor in front of our house feeds them up, and then they use our yard as their toilet. I am reading all the suggestions, to see if we can get them away from us, it's really frustrating. We are using the mothballs, and it helps a little bit, also we bought some granulated product but very expensive and did not help so much, cats are very smart, but I will try some of the ideas you people give, and I hope it will help.

By trela — On Feb 22, 2010

There are several cats in my neighborhood which I always see on my lawn, but they haven't caused me nor my puppy any trouble yet.

By anon65685 — On Feb 15, 2010

My problem is that my neighbor's cat comes into my large fenced in back yard to vomit.

I have a dog that is allergic to most commercial pet food ingredients and it poses a health problem because she eats the cat food. How do I keep these cats out of my large yard? I thought about spraying bleach or ammonia around the fence line. (?) If I can catch the cat and bring to the local shelter one weekend, I will. At my wits end.

By anon55409 — On Dec 07, 2009

A neighbor's cat has actually attacked me. I had to get stitches and shots --Ouch! I told him his cat was attacking my rabbit and he said to keep my rabbit inside.

This cat is now coming in my doggie door. I have contacted Arizona ASPCA and the local shelters and they all say I have no rights? What can I do to stop this cat from attacking my animals and coming in to my home.

I hate cats and they smell so bad. I should not have to put up with this cat, but I have done everything short of killing it.

I won't do that but now my little one pound Chihuahua can't even go outside alone because I fear she will be taken. What can I do? Anything new would be a help.

I have done auto sprinklers, got a huge pit bull who chases but never catches her, talked to the owner, put out lots of eggshells, coffee and other stuff, thrown rocks and hit her pretty hard. Anything else?

By goingcrazy — On Nov 25, 2009

We've been living at this house for more than 10 years, but cat poops just happened the past couple of years and we have no idea why these neighborhood cats like to poop in our front and back yards!

For the front yard, we don't know their route to our front yard to poop. We've tried fox urine powder and black pepper powder, but we still see their poops somewhere in the lawn. Well, it's impossible for us to cover all areas with black pepper powder, though it's less expensive than the fox urine powder (cat repellent).

It's very annoying to hear them climb on our side gate. Sometimes they walk on the top of fence (the other side is your neighbor)!

We hate cleaning their poops already because we feel our whole body filled with the smell of cat-poops after cleaning.

These cats walk everywhere! How do we keep them away from our house area, including our yards? We're afraid that we'll have mental problems if we clean the cat poops so many times.

By anon42250 — On Aug 20, 2009

My cats poop on my grass. Everywhere on my grass. How do I discourage them from doing this? I chopped a piece of grass out in the corner of the garden, for them to poop there, but it seems they've become lazy and just poop on the grass!

By anon38140 — On Jul 23, 2009

I have a German Sheperd dog that a neighborhood cat torments every night and makes him bark by hanging around my yard but he stays just out of reach of the dog. bad thing is I am losing sleep over the barking four to six times a night throwing rocks at the cat to get him to leave. What can I do?

By anon35018 — On Jul 01, 2009

I don't like to use chemicals, but a couple of neighbor cats were always using the pots by my front door as a bathroom. Mothballs did not hurt the plants, and the cats never came back. I did not have to replace the mothballs after they deteriorated either. A desperate move, but it worked.

By motherteresa — On Sep 17, 2008

The coffee grounds do help some. I have started using them and noticed an improvement.

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