I'd suggest keeping the kittens/cats indoors at all times. Build a cat run if desired.

Hi BirdFellow, I'd suggest throwing the kittens into the Air and seeing if the Wedgey can pick them up while in flight, save him having to swoop down to low to the ground.What great sport, helping keep nature going while this drought is on, he should be given an award for helping nature. Peter R.

Sorry about the mean comments on the kittens, seems like it's macho to make jokes about killing cats. Yes they can be an environmental nightmare but keep them inside from dusk till morning (especially when full grown) to stop them from killing animals, especially if living near a National Park. If you let them out during the day you will have to watch them or build a cat run as suggested.

Thank Marie. Apart from the silly suggestions, I was really looking for something they could do to make their backyard unattractive to eagles like you do with other birds - silver paper, whirring fans, chimes etc. The problem is the eagle seems to rule.

Thanks,
David

IMO your friend is acting in a most irresponsibe way by having cats running free in the vicinity of a National Park. My suggestion is to do as the others said. Either build a cat run or get rid of the cats. If the cats are protected from the Eagle, it goes to follow that the rest of the native inhabitants will be protected from the cats. One live native creature be it a lizard, skink or Eagle is worth any amount of cats. ATB teddy,J

I think eagles hunt over a very large area, I don't know that it would be possible to keep them out. Also, the cat run idea is for protection for the cats AND for the native animals - I don't know what the rules are in NSW, but over here if a cat is found in a National Park it can be destroyed immediately, pet or not. Which is fair. If the cats are still young it should be possible to have them get used to being inside or an outdoor enclosure only. The cat runs can be a bit expensive, though.

I have heard people make 'unsubstanciated'claims that cats can be reared so that they don't/won't hunt wildlife. According to everything I have read it is in a cats natural instinct to hunt, play and kill. They are born with this need/instinct and so no amount of training (or lack of parental training) will stop them from being the hunter/killers they are. If a person can't or won't provide the right facilities to keep a cat under control properly, then they should not be permitted to have cats. ATB teddy,J

What unsubstantiated claims were written in this post? Can you quote them?

Don't forget to get the kittens desexed - very important.
I do believe that there is the odd cat that can be trained (to do tricks) but I don't know if they can be trained not to kill/hunt. I don't think I'd trust a cat that much - they're generally sly little things.
You could always build your own enclosure - yes the commercially produced ones are expensive.
Don't forget cats sleep something like 20 out of every 24 hours so they won't mind being restricted by an enclosure.

Hi Marie K, I simply said
"I have heard people make 'unsubstanciated' claims that cats can be reared so that they don't/won't hunt wildlife".
Nowhere in my post did I indicate that the claims were made on either this thread or this websight.
The claims I refered to are those I have heard in various places from cat fanciers who have put forward a theory that if a kitten is removed from its mother very early (less than 4 weeks) the mother will not get the chance to teach its young to hunt and kill thereby ensuring the 'future cat' will not be a killer. ATB teddy,J

Cats are probably OK in a high density suburban area or in a high rise building but cats and National Parks are not compatible and are a inappropriate pet for the area. As many suggest keeping the cat in at night. How misguided. A cat will hunt when it feels like it not when you say so. All that happens here is we simply change the cats' diet from nocturnal animals to dinurnal ones.
If someone wants to own a cat then a cat run is the only answer.

I have nothing against cats, they are only doing what comes naturally but one must ask; Is it an appropriate pet for your area?

Doug.

a cat park is the best solution. My two thoroughly enjoy their park, for sunning, sleeping, bird watching etc.. every body is safe and happy this way. It was quite an investment (about $3k) but well worth it.... mine is from catnip, but there are many suppliers, or build your own - Kat :-)