Around the world, there are many stray cats living in alleys, wastelands, and backyards. Although harmless to humans, feral cats can disrupt bird populations. In addition, feral cats can also transmit diseases to domestic cats. To keep stray cats away, try removing food sources or items or objects that could serve as "cages" from your yard. In addition, you can also implement the KNP program (catch, neutralize, return) so that stray cats stop breeding.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Disposing of Food Sources and Objects That Could Become a Cat's “Cage”
Step 1. Remove food sources for feral cats
Start by making sure household waste doesn't pile up and out of the trash. After that, secure the trash can by installing a tight lid. Also make sure you don't leave organic leftovers outside. Ask neighbors to put tight lids on their trash cans to secure their bins.
- Keep in mind that cats can survive on very few food sources. Therefore, you may not be able to completely dispose of their food source in the area where you live.
- If you normally feed an existing cat, place the food within about 9 meters of the house. Do not place food in front of the door, unless you really intend to "collect" stray cats there.
Step 2. Remove or block objects that can be used as cages so that cats can't stay or nest
Cats will look for a warm, dry place to live and shelter from the heat and rain. When it can't find the right place, the cat will move to another place or area. Therefore, block small openings under the porch or deck, and make sure the barn doors outside the house are tightly closed. Remove piles of wood and cut thick grass to prevent cats from living in these areas.
- If stray cats seem to congregate at one point in your home, find out what the cats are living in. After that, block access to the "cage".
- Plywood and chicken wire can be an inexpensive and effective cover material. Attach plywood or wire using staples or nails in the openings / gaps so that cats cannot enter them.
Step 3. Spray cat repellent on the lawn
Several companies produce chemical cat repellent sprays. This product contains ingredients and odors (both natural and synthetic) that cats don't like. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging to find out how often to use the product. Spray certain areas in your yard that are frequented by cats.
- You can buy cat repellent products from a pet supply store or home supply store (eg ACE).
- These products are safe and non-toxic for both feral and domestic cats.
Step 4. Call an animal control service if you cannot control the feral cat population in your area of residence
If your yard or yard is frequented by stray cats, you may need to contact your local wild animal control center or service. The controller can take steps to repel stray cats. However, keep in mind that agencies or service providers like this will usually trap stray cats and kill them.
The eradication of the cat population from where they live actually causes a phenomenon known as the vacuum effect. The new cat population will move to an empty area and start using the available "resources" to survive
Method 2 of 3: Repel Cats from the Garden or Garden
Step 1. Install a motion sensor garden sprinkler to spray water on incoming cats
The “incompatibility” of cats and water is well known everywhere. This means that the cat will avoid the reach of the water and your yard. To prevent people passing through your house from being sprayed with water, activate the sprinkler at night and set it to spray when the animal is within about 1.2 meters of the appliance.
The added bonus of this cat expulsion process is that the grass and flowers in your yard are also watered so they can grow well
Step 2. Spread the citron peel over the garden soil
Cats dislike the smell and taste of citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit. When you later enjoy or squeeze the juice from one of these fruits, spread the skin of the fruit in the garden or park. Stray cats will definitely stay away from your home garden.
Planting citron trees does not effectively keep cats away from the garden because the smell of the tree is not as strong as the smell of the peel
Step 3. Spread chicken wire over a patch of soil that cats often dig
If your stray cat is digging a lot in the ground or nibbling on plant roots that are sticking out, you can block your pussy from accessing the area with chicken wire. Purchase a wire that is large enough to cover your garden soil. Place the wire directly on the ground, and place stones on all four sides of the wire so the cat can't move the wire.
You can buy chicken wire of any size from a hardware or home supply store
Step 4. Plant herbs or plants that cats don't like
This step or trick is similar to using orange peel. If you fill your garden or plot of plants with herbs that cats hate, there's a good chance that cats won't dig into your garden. Plant at least 3-4 cat repellent plants in your garden to keep stray cats away. Plants that can repel cats include:
- lavender
- Timi lemon
- Inggu (rue)
- Pennyroyal
Step 5. Sprinkle ground black pepper on areas where cats often hang out
Cats will be disturbed by the soles of the feet that feel spicy when they are cleaning themselves. If you regularly sprinkle black pepper in your yard, your cat will understand that your soil is causing the discomfort. Sprinkle ground black pepper over your front porch, barn floor, back porch, or any other place where stray cats often play or sleep.
You can also keep cats away from grass with black pepper. However, you will need to re-sprinkle it frequently, especially after heavy rains
Method 3 of 3: Implementing the KNP System (Capture, Neutralize, Restore)
Step 1. Catch stray cats that enter your land to be neutralized and returned
The most effective way to exterminate a cat in the long term is to catch it first so you can take it in for neutralization. Purchase a plastic or metal cat box with a door (make sure you use a secure device), and put tuna, sardines, or cat food as bait in the box. Place the trap box in an area where cats frequent to eat, and cover the box with a blanket.
- When the cat is caught, do not let the cat out of the box. Cover the trap box with a blanket to soothe it.
- You can purchase a safe cat trap box from a pet supply store, animal shelter, or household supply store.
Step 2. Do not take the cat to an animal shelter
Most shelter centers do not accept stray cats because stray cats are usually not adoptable. Stray cats are often shy and unsociable and therefore cannot be brought home. In addition, stray cats sent to shelter centers are almost always killed.
However, you can contact an animal shelter or animal rescue organization for advice. They can give you advice on how to safely trap the cat, avoid its claws, and prevent you from injuring the cat
Step 3. Take the cat to a vet who can neutralize and tag the cat
In some regions or countries, most veterinarians have programs that allow them to neuter cats free of charge as feral cat populations are a fairly well-known problem in those regions/countries. Contact your veterinarian or wild animal shelter in your box to find a program that fits your situation. Explain that you will be bringing in a stray cat to be neutralized. Most vets will also like to cut or clip off a cat's ears as a sign that the cat has been captured and neutralized.
- Make sure the vet you're visiting knows from the start that you're bringing a stray cat as he or she may not want to handle a stray animal.
- Cat neutralization is a safe (and friendly) way to prevent cat reproduction and control the cat population in your area.
Step 4. Bring the cat back home and allow her to recover
After taking him to the vet, it is your responsibility to take care of his health in the short term. Bring him back home and make sure he has recovered enough to live in his habitat once the procedure is complete.
Never release a stray cat into the wild when the cat is injured or sedated
Step 5. Release the cat in the previous trap
At this time, the cat has experienced trauma so that it can only adjust to the environment that it has previously recognized. In addition, male cats usually repel other male cats that are not known from the colony. This means that female cats that have not been neutralized have no other chance to mate with other male cats so that the cat population can be controlled. The ultimate goal of this catch-neutralize-return strategy is to prevent continued breeding in cats that are often roaming free.
- For this method to control feral cat populations more effectively, most or all of the cats in the population must be captured, neutralized, and returned. In a short time, the feral cat population will decline because cats cannot breed.
- If you use this method, you will be able to safely feed the stray cat after bringing it home, as the cat will no longer be able to breed.
Tips
- The term stray cat in English refers to a cat that is separated from its owner, while the term feral cat means a wild cat that was born and survives in the wild.
- The capture-neutralize-return (TNK) approach should only be applied to truly feral cats. Feral cats that have been tamed but no longer live with their owners need to be taken to a shelter so they can be bathed and re-adopted.
- If the cat that frequents the yard is a registered cat, contact the owner and ask him to take care of him in the house. If the cat owner is uncooperative, contact the animal control center or the police to file a complaint.
- The most effective way to reduce the feral cat population in your area is to apply the KNP method. If you don't want to catch a stray cat yourself, enlist the help of an animal control center to implement this catch-neutralize-return method.
- Trash cans outside restaurants are often a source of food for pet cats, especially since they are usually left open and only emptied when they are full. If the restaurant bins in your area seem to attract stray cats, talk to the restaurant owner about strategies for securing the bins.
- Try reading a book or asking your friends about cats. Maybe you will start liking cats or stop hating them.
Warning
- Never try to hurt a cat that walks past your house. Apart from being cruel and evil, this act is also considered illegal in most areas/countries.
- Do not try to trap or corner stray cats as they can become quite vicious. If you are bitten or scratched by a stray cat, seek immediate medical attention to ensure you have good immunity to any viruses or bacteria that cats carry.
