Is it OK to throw shoes at cats?

[Chree]

OK, don't get me wrong - I like cats. The problem is we live in a fairly built up area and next door have two cats. Next door only have a small garden which they do not maintain at all and is very overgrown - hence their cats can't "chill" in their garden. As a result, these two cats have taken a keen interest in our garden which is nicely maintained and has lovely plants etc.

When I say keen interest I mean they crap all over the place, dig up any newly planted shrubs/seeds and replace them with a soggy stinky turd, knock over the bird table and kill birds and leave them. I understand that this is completely natural for a cat but clearly I don't want it to happen; they are costing us money by ruining plants and costing us time when we have to clear up their turds.

I have tried plently of tactics which have incurred expense and affected how we use our garden, namely:

1) Installed 3 sonic deterrents in tactical positions (said cats most prolific dumping ground) at a cost of �35 each - these are harmless and emit a high pitched tone when a beam is crossed. These rather expensive items seem to have been rather ineffective; rather than scaring them, they seem to have some laxative power and induce the cats into curling one out right by the deterrents.

2) Applied a cat repellent in soiled areas. At �4 a bottle this stuff should work and to be fair was slightly more successful than above mentioned deterrents. However after following the instructions on the reverse, a few days after the course has been completed the cats strike back. To use the repllent continuously would cost �8 a week so isn't an option.

3) Applied a pint of water to cats when opportuniy arises. This is certainly the most effective treatment to date it would appear; upon application, the cats do a Usain Bolt back to their gaff, and economically it is the best option so far. The problem is, I can't spend my entire life waiting

[Chree]

know-noknow - tbh I wasn't expecting all this great feedback. I think opinion is split but so far catmines are the way forward I think.

But on a serious note, I still don't know if it's OK?

[Nosha123]

Sticks and Stones Mrs O.... Grow up... as if you have really got upset about it!!!

ANyhow - you find it acceptable to harm cats (and potentially other animals) by leaving nails sticking out of wooden plant pots and hiding carpet gripper in your soil.. Me thinks you do more harm than I!!!
If you deliberately go out to do something that can harm an animal wild or domestic.. you deserve all the abuse you get!

Maybe you need something REAL to worry about than cat poo!!!!

[Chree]

YEAH - Shoes off in houses people - get some slippers - lovely

[Chree]

Nosha,

The pen is mightier than the carpet gripper

[Prangy]

the only person resorting to violence is you Chree, by throwing shoes at cats you great big mallowbrain.


Touche pt. II

[Nosha123]

Funny Chree!!!
The pen doth not draw blood though!

I just cant bear to imagine... some poor little hedgehog or baby fox come into Mrs O's garden for a bit of nosing around.. catch some slugs or eat a mouse.... and then OUCH.. tread on the carpet gripper and go away yelping with bleeding paws!

How cruel that someone can put it there to knowingly hurt an animal....

[CAJ1]

I have the same problem Chree, next door have 2 cats that jump over my wall, dig up my flowers and cr*p and then if I leave the back door open while I put the washing out etc they sneak on in! I found one of them on the bed once - talk about making yourself at home! Not sure about the catmines and carpet grippers but maybe I'll try lemon/orange peel and moth balls!

[Chree]

Chill Prangy

So far it is only one small shoe (but a good shot nonetheless).

[Prangy]

Yes triiperhippy, should i be happy? Anyone touches our cat, ill mess them up.

[mrs_overall]

N = no
O = obvious
S = sign of
H = head
A = activity

Sticks and stones etc. lol

[Chree]

Yeah CAJ1 - nightmare hey - these two came into our house when the door was open.

And his owner said they were timid.

I'm going for mothballs and citrus peelings and when triggerhappy gets his catmines sorted I'm giving them a bash- I'll let you know how it goes.

[Nosha123]

When I was 17... I went with a bunch of friends down to the river (at night) with a bottle of cheap fizzy plonk.. and popped the cork off to pour a drink.. but it hit a bat flying by with a high pitched "EEEK".. then plopped into the river! I felt sooo guilty.. poor thing! It was a complete accident.. but I hope it survived and just got a bit wet!
I dont like slugs - but I cant bring myself to ever hurt them!!!! I just dont buy plants they like!!!

Live and let live I say!

[Chree]

Prangy, are you advocating violence against a human?

You can get in trouble for that.

[what..the?]

only if the cat can throw it back!

[Nosha123]

Hey Mrs O.. plenty of head activity going on here.. Member of MENSA dontcha know! he he he

Still.. at least it was a non-pornographic p**ss take of my name.. unlike some people I have come across!

[Chree]

Nosha, don't get me started on slugs...we have a slug problem too.....let's save that for another day though........on second thoughts......

IS IT OK TO THROW SHOES AT SLUGS?

[Sachs]

Hi Chree, just wondering whether a revolving water sprinkler on a timer would do the trick?

[CAJ1]

Ok Chree - so to keep everyone happy we'll test out the safe option of citrus peelings and moth balls before we take drastic action. Let me know how it goes. The old ladies that lived in the house before me had egg shells crushed over the mud, I'm wondering now if that was to deter them?