Donna, I don't think there are any specific guidelines that govern topics and, as far as I'm concerned, this is an important topic for birders. Have you contacted Animal Control or attempted to trap the cat?
Kathy

Yup this can be a real problem. However I have a BAD way of getting rid of stray cats I am sure you don't want to hear about.......I bring them in and make them MINE :) one is purring on my lap right now! LOL I am done at 4, I ended up with 2 extra because nobody was accepting cats in foster care or no kill shelters this fall. I had intended to get them to a safe place to find their forever home, I guess Im it. Just remember it is not the cat's fault for being a cat. It is PEOPLE that let their cats run loose that are the problem. This is a very hot topic on any forum. Whats going on with this cat , maybe we can help.

Maybe this link will help :

Here is a link that might be useful: Cats Indoors

Here it is...months ago, I saw a cat sitting on my privacy fence. None of my neighbors own a cat, so I figured it was a "wild" cat, probably living in the large wooded area behind my house. She or he would show up for a few days, disappear for awhile, then back again. If I walked into the yard, it would jump off the fence into the woods.

Well, about two weeks ago on a very cold night, I was out on the breezeway and heard a "meow" across my driveway. There was kitty kitty, and what did I do??....FED her! She walked right up to the bowl with me standing beside her. Fast forward...now this cat seems to have made a home sleeping on my outdoor furniture and has grown very comfortable with my presence. Admittedly, I have fed her a few times which in retrospect, was a big mistake...I think! I know nothing about cats and have never owned one, and I suppose my heart got the best of me and I couldn't stand the thought of her freezing or starving to death.

Yesterday morning, underneath a bench on my breezeway, I noticed feathers and discovered a dead bird...it broke my heart! Now I realize that I'm to blame! Birds and cats don't mix and neither would this cat and my 14 yr. old peek-a-poo.

I want her to be safe but I fear for the safety of my back yard birds. She seems to have made herself at home...what can I do at this point? Your suggestions will be most appreciated.

Donna

Forgot to mention that I have not contacted animal control for fear they would euthanize her and that, too, would break my heart.

ok Donna you have a cat. LOL keep feeding it and start to try to pet it, in the mean time look for local rescue groups. You may have a cat foster group too. See if the dog will tolerate the cat, not that you are going to keep it but for info for the rescue that takes it/i.e. is the cat good with small dogs. I would strongly suggest a trip to the vet if you can afford it for this cat. Look at lost/found and post at nearby vets offices and in the paper.
Remember the cat is just doing what cats do and does not deserve to die because some stupid person lets it roam. HOWEVER you have the right to have a cat free bird sanctuary
Animal controll will likely put it down after just a few days especially if it is a black cat or orange tabby...any of those that are plentiful. I can help you find a rescue group if there is one, your job right now is to gain the cats trust so you can capture it and get it to a safer place and away from your birds! These 2 bird killing strays I ended up with are the sweetest girls ever. They will never step foot outside again and my birds are safe. Please give this cat and your birds a chance!

Donna, I have 4 cats all indoor cats and all dump offs. I am like you, I can't stand to see an animal starve to death. That is the worst way to die. I also have a dog and they all get along fine.

I knew if the cats stayed around they would kill my birds. You have 2 choices. Adopt it or bring it to the animal shelter. You can not blame yourself for the actions of irresponsible cat owners. If they do put the cat down at the animal shelter, I think it is better than running around in the freezing weather and starving to death.

Wishing you luck.
Karen

You need to make a decision, one way or another. If this is truly a wild feral cat, you do not know if it has gotten rabies vaccination shots, etc. Either adopt the cat and get it to a vet for proper care, or contact someone who will. If animal control is the only other option, it is better than feral cats multiplying in the area, only to live a life of suffering, not to mention their effect on the other wildlife.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rabies and Feral Cats

It's very rare for a stray cat to freeze or starve to death, so I'd have to disagree that getting put down at the animal shelter would be better than the life it has now. If the cat is friendly, see if you can find a home to adopt it.

If she is able to be around you comfortably then she is not feral. However, you don't know how long she has been living in this manner nor what she's been exposed to. I agree that if you don't plan to adopt her and make her an indoor cat then you need to contact animal control. A co-worker of mine lives on a farm in an area of our town where people frequently drop off their unwanted cats and she seems to adopt a new one or two each year. The first thing she does is get them to the vet to be spayed or neutered. It's unfortunate that there are people in the world who dump their responsibilities on others, but there it is. You have to be the responsible one so that your birds don't suffer.
Kathy

Hey, gang. Thought I would add my story. Years ago my son wanted his own pet. I found a stray kitten out in the middle of the woods, brought him home, took him to the vet, and he became ours. A great cat...only about 12 weeks old. But in a week and a half he killed three birds at our feeders. My wife said he could not be an indoor only cat. So, we found a great home for him and that was the end of us having a cat. Hope this helps.

Harold

Many thanks for your responses...great suggestions, advice and info! This cat situation is all new to me! I have a couple of ideas and I'd like your input.

Having an indoor cat is just not an option for us. My dog would NEVER accept her as a household member.

I do know a volunteer with the Humane Society and will call her to seek her help. This organization sponsors several pet adoptions each month at PetCo and the Mall.
If she can help, I will be glad to pay for a vet visit, spaying, shots, etc.

Also, months ago, someone "dropped off" some kittens at the Country Club. The golf pro and another employee took them in, so to speak! They are permanent residents at the club, sleep under a huge deck and are well fed. The cats never leave the club house area, have grown accustomed to the golfers and vice versa. If I can figure out a way to transport this cat, I feel confident the golf pro would have no objections.

If I were not an avid bird watcher/lover, I wouldn't have a problem having her hang around my place, but that's not the case.

You're right...now it's my responsibility to find this cat a home and this won't be an easy task! BTW...she (or he) appears to be a mature cat, med. gray with white paws and white neck.

Thanks again...I can always count on this forum for help!

Donna