Humanely Discourage Feral Cats from Moving In
After receiving several complaints of feral cats roaming into yards or taking up residency on private properties, Las Cruces Animal Control is passing along a list of techniques to humanely coexist with our non-domesticated feline friends.
Feral cats are resilient creatures and are not necessarily picky when it comes to finding a potential home so long as it provides shelter, protection and reasonable access to food and water. Abandoned buildings, culverts, abandoned vehicles, firewood heaps and overgrown areas are perfect nesting areas for feral cats.
To deter feral cats from setting up residency on your property, humane habitat modification is a good place to start. Animal Control suggests plugging holes to places a cat might be using as refuge. Of course, all the humanely necessary steps to ensure cats are vacated from the area should be done before plugging holes.
These tips provide humane alternatives to coexist with feral felines:
• Coleus Canina plants, strategically seeded around the yard, are natural deterrents to cats.
• Cats tend to dislike the scent of citrus, so scatter orange and lemon peels around the yard.
• Rue, an herb, can be sprinkled or planted in a garden.
• Cayenne pepper is said to act as a deterrent to cats and dogs.
• Commercial manufactured repellents – some that are motion-activated – are available such as Critter Ridder, Repels-All, Silent Roar, Havahart, CatStop and ScareCrow.
• Rough-hewn rocks or large river rocks can be used for landscaping to redirect feral cats.
• Lattice fencing, chicken wire or poultry fencing can be used to keep feral cats from entering areas where they are prohibited.
In no way should feral cats be shot, injured or treated inhumanely. It is illegal to discharge a weapon – even a BB gun – within city limits. Any abuse or harm to an animal – domesticated or feral – is against the law. Perpetrators can be charged with a crime that punishable by a fine, imprisonment or both.
