skip to main content

Name This Animal

Who steals feed and the dish too??

18 years ago

I have only recently become aware of this forum and hope that someone of you knowledgeable folks can clue me in on an odd happening. A young feral cat has made her home on my small farm in south-central PA. Last winter when the weather turned bad I began to feed her. She is still quite wild but comes to find me in the barn or garden if she needs to be fed. I don't have any cats of my own. I suspect that other feral cats or other critters share her bounty based on the quantity of food that is consumed. In the last week not only is the food disappearing but the entire dish is gone in the morning. I've walked around the area and find no sign of the dishes. One of them was a fairly large metal dish--say the size of a soup bowl. I have seen skunks and foxes in the area and there are coyotes but I don't see them. I feed the cat near a feedshed that has enough clearance that she can go underneath it. A few feet away is the sheep barn that is on a concrete slab. I imagine my dishes have disappeared under the feedshed and I am really curious about what critter would do this. I feed her only dry food. Any thoughts?

spiderwoman

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

IanW Zone 5 Ont. Can.
18 years ago
Might be racoons...
spiderwoman
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, I forgot to say that I also have racoons here but I only see evidence of them at the pond which is far from where this problem is occuring. My pond is full of crayfish and they are huge this year. That is where I see the little racoon tracks in the mud. I also have fat furry woodchucks hanging around tormenting my dogs.
spiderwoman
Related Discussions
Blue Herons Stealing Fish from Pond---Help
Q
Comments (24)
I too had to go with a net after losing two koi.. the floating aligator didnt work for me.. anyone know where I can get a clear net?? I would like to swap the black one out for clear as I think it would look better.. I hate having to net the pond at all but I dont like losing koi either.. I checked pondnets.com and they look to only have black and their nets are a bit pricey too..
...See More
Roses to stop thieves from stealing air-conditioner?
Q
Comments (29)
"If someone REALLY wants in, there isn't a lot you can do to keep them OUT. Kim" *** That's the truth. Our little Lane used to be so anonymous, folks who'd spent their lives in this city didn't realize it was here. Then, some homes changed hands -- one new owner bringing in every jack-leg contractor around; And the son of the woman at the end of the Lane tried to kill his mother, began doing drugs and (we're pretty sure) dealing. Now, I think our little Lane is far too well-known to the wrong people. A neighbor had his Garmin device stolen, out of his pickup, parked on the street. It would be impossible to make this house inaccessible, and our three Dalmatians certainly wouldn't bite. I know things are very different for many of you, but we long ago decided not to worry about it over much. If I wanted to keep out evil-doers, I'd likely go for Mermaid. My concern would be that mentioned above: Lack of access for repair. Jeri
...See More
Anyone have a SCUMBAG steal their plants?
Q
Comments (13)
I don't understand what makes people think stealing your car is wrong, but stealing your plants is okay! I heard my apartment neighbor (a college girl) outside my bathroom window one day talking to her friends say "I want to get some pink flamingoes, a frickin' GARDEN" then she whispered "I want to get one of their plants, you think they'd notice?". People actually think its NOT STEALING!?!?!?! And that you might not NOTICE?!?! I had someone (another neighbor, different apt) swap one of my plants out for another one too. I didn't worry about it then, because I considered the swap acceptable, but really, people shouldn't do that without asking. Why not just ask? Probably most of us would offer them a cutting. They never know how much you may care for a certain plant. I never put any plants I care about in the front, its just way too common, and if someone did make off with a bunch of my stuff, I'd absolutely call the cops.
...See More
Who Feeds The Birds?
Q
Comments (30)
My entire family has always fed the birds and gone on bird watching weekends, etc. my sister also raises chickens, and introduced me to live meal worms as a source of protein for birds (and fish and pet reptiles and even humans). But, they are especially beneficial for nesting birds raising chicks. As I read about the precipitous drop in the numbers of pollinators, it only makes sense that other insects might be threatened as well. And, if there are fewer insects, there might be less food for the birds to feed their chicks. Plus, I need another hobby, right? So, I raise live meal worms in my basement and feed them to the birds. Now I have robins looking in my window each morning wondering when breakfast is coming. I'm looking forward to when the babies start to fly and can visit the feeders themselves. Martha
...See More
esofva
18 years ago
Raccoons do this all of the time. When we were doing field research in a forest with small live traps, the traps would often be moved around. We have even lost traps completely only to find them inside of a hollow tree after the tree was blown down after a storm!!!
jemdandy
17 years ago
Racoon is a good guess. A bear will haul away small containers too.
aquawise
17 years ago
Dogs are notorious for carrying off large food dishes. Ask some of your neighbors if they have found some dishes around. Coons don't take dishes to far just far enough to eat it all then go back to look for more.
jemdandy
17 years ago
Bears will scatter food containers.
ok_wildlife_control
17 years ago
If you lost the dish also ... I'd say Raccoon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oklahoma Wildlife Control, LLC
sora_dart
16 years ago
did you see any proof that it was an animal? It could just be a homeless person. But for animals raccoons would be the most likely culprit.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN 7 Metal Tubs That Steal the Show

By Jennifer Christgau-Aquino

Industrial-style metal tubs offer lightweight, unique alternatives to porcelain. Could a metal tub be for you?

MOST POPULAR 99 Ingenious Ideas to Steal for Your Small Kitchen

Make the most of your kitchen space with these storage tricks and decor ideas

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Fresh-Brewed Ideas to Steal From Your Local Café

By Yellow Front Door

Bring elements of your favorite coffee shop into your home and make it a place you’ll want to relax in for hours

HALLWAYS 10 Neat Hallway Tips to Steal From Tidy People

Too laid-back to be truly orderly? Here are some practical ideas for managing a messy entry while embracing the lived-in look

HOME TECH To Feed and Protect: Care for Your Pet From Afar With New Devices

You might miss the nuzzles, but your dog or cat won't miss food, water or monitoring with these high-tech feeders and cameras

KITCHEN DESIGN Pet-Friendly Design: Making Room for the Dog Dish

By Mary Jo Bowling

In a dog’s life, you eat on the floor. Except in kitchens like these, where pets are factored into the design

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Designer Dishes

By Kristin Guy | Dine X Design

If presentation is everything, these dishes alone will be enough to wow your dinner guests

0

Let's Dish! Did You Watch the Flipping Out Premiere?

By Becky Harris

Contemporary Remodel Kicks off Design Show's New Season. What Did You Think?

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Creative Ways to Give Your Kitchen a Boost

By Laura Gaskill

Give your walls, storage and furnishings a dash of this and a dash of that for a cooking space that feeds your soul

DECORATING STYLES Gypsy in Your Soul: 10 Steps to a Bohemian Bedroom

If your inner boho is clamoring to be released, feed your fantasies in a gorgeously unconventional bedroom

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Remodeling Company in New Albany, Ohio