Neighbour's Cat Killing Birds

[primula]

Can someone please tell me how to deter my neighbour's cat from killing the wild birds which I feed - not on the ground - I have spoken to them and asked they put a bell round its neck, but this has not deterred it.

Any suggestions? - Thanks to all who reply.

primula

[DJHawkes]

well if it's not your cat buy it cat food to eat it's obviously underfed.

[FiverDay]

Cats can be lovely pets but not when they visit other people's gardens. They have a habit of leaving their calling cards in inconvenient places and this can be at best distressing and at worst the cause of disease. This can especially be the case where children are playing in a garden visited by roaming cats.
Cat owners please take note! I don't know what you can do about it but I would suggest that it is your responsibility to ensure that your cat does not become a nuisance. I do not consider that it is every householder's responsibility to make his (her) garden "cat-proof".

[Eve]

Cats are classed as wild animals to my knowledge.

It has little to do with how well they are fed. Many cats have a natural hunting instinct and will go after birds for the hunt/catch/play etc...

Many cats will not eat birds/animals that they catch.

[Gizmonster]

When you say "not on the ground" do you mean you're not feeding them on the ground, or the cat isn't killing them on the ground ??
I'm assuming you're feeding them in feeders, but the cat is killing them on the ground.
As already mentioned "I do not consider that it is every householder's responsibility to make his (her) garden "cat-proof" ..... however, sometimes this is what you must do.
I don't know the set up of your garden, but have you considered them strips that you can put along the top of your fence with little spikes on them - virtually impossible for a cat to climb on or walk along ??
Have you considered getting a dog, or even borrowing one for a week or 2. We've 2 Yorkies that can come and go through the cat flap as they please ..... absolutely NO cats come in our garden !!

[daffy654]

Have the cats actually killed any of the birds? I ask because not all cats will hunt the birds, some (like mine) will sit on the wall/fence and watch them for hours but won't actually venture into the garden.

I recommend a well aimed water pistol with plain cold tap water in it (not the hose attached to the hot tap that my neighbour uses).

[Hopkirk]

Don't worry Daffy, by the time the water gets through the household pipes, through the entire length of the hosepipe, and flies through the air it will not be hot enough to hurt.

[wildwood]

Those electronic audio devices don't appear to work. We got one of those motion sensors that turn on the hose for a few seconds. That works but you have to remember to turn the tap off in the morning or you'll get soaked yourself. :-) I think we got it on Ebay and it came from USA.

[janbee]

I have the same problem with neighbours cats. I bought 2 ultrasonic cat repellant things. They were pricey and 100% useless, the local cats LOVED them. Seemed to give them a sort of tingle and thrill as they walked past and they just came back for more. I've now tried pepper spray, orange peel etc. Short of throwing a brick at their heads, I don't know what else to do. I LOVE birds and do all I can to attract them into my garden but nearly every neighbour has at least one cat. I am NOT a cat lover.