I feel your pain....I have been known to call "here kitty kitty" and take it to the Animal rescue league. Another neighbor takes the cat about 10 miles out into the country and lets it out at a farm.
Not the right thing to do....but neither is letting YOUR pet destroy the property of others....oreven BE on their property.
Borrow a lab....take it over to poop in front of their door every day. Tell everyone you know with a big dog to bring it to the cat owner's house daily to go potty.
Or you could suspend chicken wire over your beds....but why should you have to?
Linda C

Do you know whose cat it is? If so, talk to the owners and explain that not only is the cat causing damage to your property, but that cats are much safer inside than outside. They can get into fights, get diseases, be hit by cars, or be the victims of cruel neighbors. Inside is always the best place for a cat, no matter how much the cat may disagree.

Please don't be mean to the kitty itself, it just doesn't know any better. Cats don't have an appreciation for gardening. Pepper sprays might work as a repellant, but you have to reapply it after it rains. And if you can find a motion-activated sprinkler setup that might scare it away for good.

The owners are to blame of course. The motion activated sprayer works great, but it's also expensive. I have one I've used for cats and more so for deer, to tell you the truth it irks me to have to spend on someone elses pet.

Havahart (the pet friendly company) makes an effective granular product called Critter Ridder, and there is another by someone else that is green jello like cubes that smell mostly of wintergreen to my nose...also works, called Get Off My Garden.

I haven't had any digging cats for quite a while (and I find that especially digusting to clean up), but our more recent problem has been spraying cats...too many in the neighborhood and marking territory? On a lighter note, I went in to bed a few nights ago and it seemed DH was sleeping too warmly. I went to the window and raised the blind to open window a little, and saw a cat walking across my deck. Instinctively, I yelled Shoo!!! and clapped my hands while stomping my feet. You have never, ever seen a 210 lb soundly sleeping man shoot out of bed that startled :)

morz8, thanks for your words and your humor. That one made me laugh out loud!
Since the first time it's happened the cat has returned two more times to exactly the same spot of course since it's claimed it as it's own now! ugh! I really resent having to clean cat-doo out of my garden beds.
But with that said, my husband is beginning to think he's married to a lunatic. I came home from work last night only to find a fresh pile and I went beserk. I marched right out there shoveled the stuff up and promptly flung it on the owner's property. I didn't care a bit where it landed. I realize I'm close to getting out of control with this thing and I've got to reign myself in.
I have actually used a spray called liquid fence and while it does seem to work, it's expensive and it has to be re-applied often. I really resent having to spend money on someone else's "pets".
I've entertained the idea of just giving up and then I get mad all over again...because frankly, I LOVE to garden so why should I have to stop and have an ugly yard just because other people are so clueless...or is it careless?
Thanks everyone. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this battle! :-)

This topic comes up often -- it's a problem for a lot of folks. And I agree, the owners are the ones responsible. Cats are just doing what they're made to do. I know many people don't agree but considering that most of us have close neighbors it's just plain inconsiderate to let pets of any kind roam -- and there are a host of other reasons for not letting them run besides that. But it's hard to change the mindset of those folks. Worth a try, however, if you can approach them in a friendly way (leave the cat poop at home that day) :)

Do a search on the gardenweb forums and you'll find all kinds of posts. There are some ideas on the link below... scroll down a few posts to the one with the long list. I've had poor luck with most home remedies but some of those might work well for you. Chicken wire laid just under the soil line is a good one but a pain to put down.

Now, I have to step on my soap box... so please bear with me. Please do NOT take any animal to the country and dump it at a farm (I know, it was listed as a bad idea, but I just have to say this). I lived on a farm for 18 years and had more animals dumped there. Yes, I lived on a farm, but that doesn't mean we had room or money to care for yet another animal. And most farmers don't. And most of the city pets dumped there lived short, unhappy, hungry lives or got sent to the humane society. When I could I caught them (the ones that weren't hit by cars and killed first) and took them to the humane society. I had to see animals maimed by tractors/cars/machinery. I watch a poor animal with crushed back legs dragging itself across my back yard. So please don't ever consider this an option. It broke my heart over and over.

Thanks for bearing with me. I know you weren't considering that option, but I had to post my thoughts in case someone thought it was a possible solution.

We have cats and wouldn't be without them, but they stay inside all the time. One was an outdoor cat when I lived on the farm (she was born in the milkhouse, a stray cat appeared one day and had babies the next) but for various reasons (health and safety of pets, primarily) I converted to an indoor-cat person long before I moved out west and she made the transition fairly easily. It can be done. She and her buddy run around the house like a couple of horses for exercise, and window-watch all the squirrels and birds for quieter entertainment :)

I do battle with neighborhood cats all the time (I use a spray from the garden hose on ones that don't run off when I pound on the window or yell at them) and although spring seems to bring them back out in abundance, I think some of them are starting to get tired of trying to spend time in our yard.

Keep flinging :) or at least trying! and good luck! Oh, and welcome back to GW!

Here is a link that might be useful: cat deter

Taking stray cats that are sickly, starving or obviously don't belong to someone to the humane society or shelter is one thing but taking your neighbor's beloved pet is another.

Dumping animals in rural areas or on farms is just plain evil. I can't believe how often it happens. I have many friends who live in rural areas and they are flooded with dumped animals.

Having cat carp in one's flowerbeds is no fun but there are ways to deal without trapping and removing someone's cat.

It is perfectly legal to allow a cat to roam outside. While it may not be in the best interest of the cat, the practice of keeping cats indoor only is not very widespread in the US . Many feel it is cruel.

My biggest animal pet peeve is barking dogs. I work from home and have to hear multiple dogs yap and bark all day long as they are stuck outside and alone while their owners are at work. Most bark at night too. I don't understand why people would have a dog if it is outside 24/7. My new neighbor behind us has two Yorkshire Terriers that bark hysterically every time I open my back door. They don't stop either.

Dog owners who walk their dogs down my street and allow them to defecate and urinate on my garden right in front of them also tick me off. Loose dogs are also a problem. Dogs are at least much easier to control then cats as far as keeping them home although both are much easier to keep home if neutered.

Here is a link to instructions for making a DIY motion sensor sprinkler that may be helpful for whatever animal is causing you garden distress.

Here is a link that might be useful: Johns Heronizer

I remember when I was young, a cousin of mine passed by a house where a Siamese cat was leashed in the front yard. She freed the cat and considered it a noble deed.

Many people, most of my family among them, lived in a time and an era where cats were considered to be outdoor animals. You didn't spay them unless there was a medical reason, and it was natural for them to be outside doing their thing -- killing mice, having kittens, whatever.

Of course, when I was young, I lost many feline siblings to cars, rat poison, and whatever else, which is why all of my cats have ALWAYS been indoor cats.

My point is that a lot of these people who let their cats roam aren't slackers or abusers or plain rude. They come from an entirely different mindset.

I have a fair-sized yard, and stray cats wander through now and then, and I've never had them mess with my plants or, for that matter, just, um, mess. Don't know why.

But if it were me, I'd consider, for one, a fence of some sort for the garden; some sort of citrus or alcohol scent to repel them (cats hate perfume); maybe an area of their own containing catnip and cat grass that isn't fenced in.

Please don't take someone's cat to the shelter. Some shelters have a three-day limit before the cat's put down. If the cat roams, it may take that long before the owner realizes something might be amiss, and by that time, their beloved feline friend has been killed.

To buyorsell888 : In many towns and cities across America, it is NOT perfectly legal to allow your pet cat to roam about, unleashed. In my town, within the city limits, there is a leash law which includes cats. My neighborhood is in the city limits and cats are required to be on a leash if outdoors. My neighbor with the cats doesn't seem to think the law applies to HIS cats. The cats have killed many plants in my garden. I have considered presenting him with the bill for the dead plants and what it has cost me in materials to keep his cats out of my garden beds.
And as for hauling off the neighbor's "beloved" pet...if the pet cat was so beloved, the owner would not allow said beloved pet to repeatedly get pregnant, having litter after litter of unwanted kittens. Those kittens grow up and roam the neighborhood, pooping in everyone elses yards, and have litters of their own.

Cat Owners: If your pet cat is truly beloved, please have it spayed/neutered, so it can't make generation upon generation of unwanted cats. These cats aren't properly cared for - are too numerous to take to the vet for routine checkups - are often hit by cars or maimed/killed by dogs - and live short unpleasant lives, plagued by disease or festering injuries.

RENEE

We've had quite a few stray cats and dogs on our property. Many are quite friendly some are feral. If the animal has a tag and is friendly I call the owners. It is a $500 fine to allow a dog to run loose where I live. If the owner does not pick up their animal or if I see it again, on my property, I call the Humane Shelter. Sometimes I even take it down there myself. Ours is a no kill shelter I'd never take an animal anywhere else. They will also contact the owner. If the owner doesn't pick up the animal they put it up for adoption.

I live in a rural area. Not once have we ever had a cat or dog roaming around that wasn't either dropped off or mistreated. We called one woman who refused to come and get her dog. She said she didn't care. Pet owners have a responsibility to make sure that their animals are well cared for and safe. Safe does not include their cats and dogs running in the street and damaging property. During hunting season some hunters will actually shoot a stray dog who tries to run down an injured deer. I know because we were told to tie our dog up during hunting season. Who told us....the hunters did.

Cats are especially a problem for me because they kill birds, chipmunks and baby squirrels.

Mariann

a friend of mine has the perfect method of getting rid of stray cats and dogs. he has one of those toy BB guns that shoots the yellow rubber BBs. they sting a little, but will not break teh skin. after a couple times of popping and animal in the flank, they do not come back in his yard. similar to the sprayer method, but cheaper and more fun!

i used this method on my own dogs once. they had a habit of going to my neihbor's flower bed to poop. he never said a word about it, but i felt that my dogs should stay out of his beds. so i would shoot them in the butt with a toy gun and after the second or third time, they stopped going in his yard. they "know" it is fine to go behind the fence into the next lot, but not his.

How awful! To take a neighbors pet and give it to a shelter or drop it off in an unfamiliar location far away from it's home! Try getting shot with one of those little bb's they sting more than a little! And unless your a crack shot you could hit it in a more vulnerable spot like an eye! That is heartless. Why are you taking your frustration out on a defenseless animal, that is only doing what comes naturally. And these are peoples pets. Although more and more people are keeping their cats inside like their dogs. This has more to do with our crowded urban life and the dangers it possesses for your pets than what is natural or right. Mine are both inside animals. They are not more naturally inside creatures. Anyone who has a dog or cat knows they thrive at anytime they are let outside even if it's just for a quick potty break or a walk. I let my cat outside when I am working in the yard (ours is fenced in) He lays in the fresh grass, chews on it, chases bugs, birds and has a wonderful stimulating time. cats as well as dogs become bored and listless with only indoor activities. It's not impossible to stimulate them but any cat would rather chase a bug than sit there while you tickle them with a string. I feel bad that I cannot let him roam (that is his natural instinct) but I keep him inside other times for his own safety. Growing up in the country, no one kept there cats inside. It is more convenient for us humans but not natural for them. You need to get some perspective and realize that this world and your yard are part of nature and as much as you'd like to believe that just because you own it you can control everything that happens on it, you can't and you will drive yourself crazy trying to. Animals can't read your ownership papers. Flinging the cat poo into your neighbors yard without ever letting them know about the problems their cat is causing you is sneaky and vicious and does not promote good neighborhood living. It's possible they have no idea that you are having this problem. If they do, it may be impossible for them to get rid of their pet or to change it at this stage from an outdoor animal to an indoor one just to accomodate you. Instead try to be a little less controlling and find a way to keep the cat from going in your flower bed, without injury or cruelness to the animal. there are many suggestions and solutions on this and other forums. You will be a lot less stressed if your not freaking out every time something doesn't go just the way you think it should. Take a deep breathe that might help too.

I just had the same problem. I think that there are just a lot of wild cats around. I read a book for garden tip and quick fixes. The author uses GARLIC for repelling a lot of critters and animal. Although repelling cats is not mentioned in the book, I figured that I could try it too. I chopped fresh garlic and spread it on my flower bed. The cats have not visited ever since. Good luck.

chueh said:
I CHOPPED FRESH GARLIC AND SPREAD IT ON MY FLOWER BED. THE CATS HAVE NOT VISITED EVER SINCE.
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That really does work. Also, plantings of Society Garlic have the same effect. That stuff is really pungent...even the roots smell awful. I had several clumps located in one of my beds, and it kept all sorts of critters away...even cats. So, if you have cat problems and can find some Society Garlic, plant it...it works. Bugs hate it and cats won't go near it. It will keep your beds virtually pest-free.

RENEE

that this thread has regenerated itself after an entire year.
Thanks to all for your comments whether they were for or against my beliefs and behavior. I've got some great ideas from this thread and have given many of them a try.
Thankfully, most of the roaming cats have disappeared and NO, I didn't have anything to do with it but I'm NOT sorry either. Everyone has their opinions about animals and mine is simply that responsible owners do not allow their animals to intrude on another person's property in any way, shape or form.
Cheers!
Stephanie

Stephanie, you got a good thread going. And let me put in my 20 cents.
Having been a pet owner for all of my life, and now having lived in the city for the last 20 yrs I have seen how careless people can be with pets. Sometimes to train an animal one has to use measures that might seem extreme to others. The soft BB's worked and it was his pet that he was training. I doubt he is that bad of a shot that he would miss a rump. And, it worked with little harm to the dog. And the neighbors garden is the winner.

I have put rags soaked in a vinegar solution in areas that I want to protect from the countless stray cats that wander thru my yard/garden. We have indoor cats and two of them spend time outdoors on a leash. They are happy to lounge in the sun and watch me work. Or they explore in my jungle of plants/rocks/and garden junk.

My illiterate neighbors (they are such, believe me, and from the number of 'guests' either they are very popular or do some kind of selling business. To keep their younguns happy they got them a kitten for Christmas a year and a half ago. Once the kitten got old enough to fight back against the mauling, it was soon let outdoors for longer and longer periods. Now, it is a pest. But they probably don't care. Last year I was friendly towards it and felt sorry for it and even set out food for it (and still do). But it has become an unwelcome guest and will even come up and fight with my leashed neutered cats.

So, now I keep a spray bottle with a 10% vinegar solution.
The first time I got it wet and even a bit the second time. Now, all I have to do is hold the bottle and it turns tail. Same thing happened with training one of my indoor cats from bad behavior. All I do now is make a 'swish' sound holding my hand out and it knows to stop doing something. There are rules that they must follow.

Now in the garden where I don't want that neighbors cat at night (and to all the other countless feral cats around) I place a small piece of rag soaked in that vinegar solution from the bottle. I have noticed that they avoid this area. I can't stop this cat or the others from 'cruising' my yard but I seem to have been able to prevent them from lingering in the front or in newly planted areas. The back I don't care about. And in the alley is where I put some food occassionally. (My elderly neighbor has been doing this for years, especially in the winter).

I have noticed a lack of birds this year. And my favorite cat got out a torn screen once and spent 3 days 'lost'. He came back the third morning while I was out (late eve's and early a.m.) searching the neighborhood. I never knew there were that many B&W cats (Tuxedos I guess) around this area. My guess is that many started from the playful kitten that soon got let out or outright abandoned. They bred and there is enough abandoned sheds, garages,etc for them to breed more litters. Probably keeps the mice and rat population in check but they also kill birds and other mammals. Such is city life for them and me.

Flinging the liter over the fence makes about as much sense as me flinging the occassional beer can back over. It don't work so now I add them to the recycle bin but I still fling the bottle back. The worst offenders moved a year ago so this hasn't been much of a problem since. And, I found that giving tomatoes to the top dog (The big Mamma) kinda keeps the peace. She's ok but her kids are rather feral themselves. BTW, the ones that moved left their beloved pet kitten (then a cat), behind to fend for itself. It disappeared a few weeks after they abandoned it. I don't know why, perhaps it lost a fight? Animal control don't patrol for feral cats. There are too many.

What progess have you made? If you are still flinging the poop over the fence, I would add that if you would add it to some clay cat litter and place it (perhaps in the dead of night) in one location near your property line, the cat might start to believe that this is where it is supposed to go. Then just keep dropping the poop there, no need for more litter. It might just get the hint that probably escapes the humans.

Does anyone who is here and not a fan of cats have dogs? Because in our neighborhood while the cats are pretty well behaved we listen to a lot of late night and incessant barking. So by all means don't forget about all the irresponsible dog owners out there.

Kate