We just went to plant our garlic, but as we had harvested there a month or so ago, the soil was nicely broken up and, guess, what?......the whole row is full of cat poo. My partner has leukemia so exposure to toxoplasmosis found in cat feces could kill him. Most of our yard is in shade so we are limited as to where we can plant. I'm planning to excavate the soil, but what to do with it? I admit to having had evil thoughts about returning it to the cat owner. I reviewed a few old posts about cat poo in people's gardens and there are some good tips, such as using chicken wire. Must remember to apply that immediately after harvesting next year. Just want to vent about cat owners who let their pets wander and poo anywhere...not to mention, killing birds. I found a maimed migrating bird recently. I carefully collected it and place it high up in what I thought was a safe place, only to see the cat "cute kitten" come back and finish it off. Last time I looked, there were over 20 jurisdictions in Canada with cat control bylaws. Please help spread the word about cat control, if only to help our dwindling bird populations--and the return of lost cats to their owners. Our local Animal Control folks tell us they are receiving numerous complaints, yet, as cats do not require a license, there is no flow of funds to adequately address the number of cat complaints. Here is one article from McLeans: The problem with cats - Macleans.ca
I agree this is a vexing problem. I have to be very careful to cover my garden beds with wire, sticks, whatever to make it unappealing to the roaming cats. It is disgusting, especially if you want to grow any root crop. I used to have pet cats. One was very headstrong and insistent on exploring outside. I let her out a few times, but it did not seem to make her happy. She acted strange and discontented after her outdoor play sessions. I found her outside, just sitting in a bush, seeming stressed and scared. She just stayed there the whole time she was out. After she came in another time looking like she had been involved in a fight, I decided to stop letting her out. She seemed more stable after that. The time outside seemed to have actually been making her stressed. A lot of people think they have to go out, but it exposes them to a lot of potential harms and pathogens. Cats kept indoors live much longer on average.
Thanks for your thoughts Eric. I was just out in my garden and found more cat poo where I was going to plant. :( Remember the days when dogs used to roam free around the neighbourhood? Now we wouldn't dream of doing that, and when it occurs, Animal Control will come within minutes of a call to collect the dog. If only for the sake of dwindling bird populations, we should limit free-ranging cats. CBC did a good documentary titled Cat Crazed, which featured Calgary's successful cat control programme. You can probably find it on the internet. And yes folks, cats can learn to walk with a leash!
Here is a photo posted on Facebook that could be said to support your position. I hadn't realized that it's co-opting a phrase that's already a meme. ICanHasCheezburger?
This is something that drives us crazy! We have sprayed them with the hose (not always convenient) but most that get sprayed know to stay away! They hate water and learn our yard is not worth it. Our landscape garden is a sanctuary for migrating birds being just S of lake Erie. We make the effort to keep them safe and our soil safe. Everyone has the right to have a pet, I have the right to have a property free of other people's pets. As a pet owner it's their responsibility to keep their pet under their control at all times! You would think they would love their pet enough to keep it safe. Safe from cars, coyotes, disease/pest that is transferred when they attack wildlife that can be transferred through blood and brought into the house; much of which is harmful to their owner or anyone who comes into contact with their poo. Pet owners need to wake up and take responsibility for their choice to have a pet. Their choice to have a pet should not impact my life or the lives of people living in their neighborhood. Their choice is their responsibility, not mine. They have a legal responsibility to keep the animal under their control at all times. My garden is not a pet daycare or pet park. Common sense is not that common anymore! Take ownership of your pet! With all that said, great pet owners exist and I appreciate those who do take care of their pets! They are great neighbors to have in our community!
Thanks for your thoughts JT. I couldn't agree more. If everyone contacted their municipality and complained we could perhaps join the other 20-plus Canadian jurisdictions that have cat control. Actually, here cats are not supposed to be off the owner's property, but apparently cats can't read, and their owners don't care about birds and their neighbours' health. And how many cat owners insist that their pets don't kill birds. Sorry, it's hard-wired in them to do so.
If they put a bell on the cat (not a cosmetic thing that doesn't gingle or ring, but one that makes nose with the cats every move) it would at least give the birds a chance! A neighbor of ours has a cat and loves birds. She makes sure the cat has a collar with a bell and puts a leash on the cat that attaches to a runner/ close line so that the cat can only be in her back yard and is restricted to the length of the line. Anyway I can't expect anyone to make an effort these days to be considerate of others. But a collar with a working bell goes a long way to save birds. It works because I asked one of the irresponsible cat owners in our neighborhood to get one and I saw how the birds could get away in time. It's still upsetting that most are not willing to do the resposible thing, but it's at least a start in the right direction. I agree that if more people would speak out it would make a difference. In the past any time we needed to make a change to address a problem in our community, we worked with our city council. The key is having facts, like the health concerns and supporting documents, and documents that supports the need of migrating bird conservation. The other is getting people with the same beliefs like gardners that want to enjoy healthy food grown in their gardens and people that enjoy conservation of song birds and migrating birds. Get organized and approach your elected representative. Ask them to take charge. Invite them to a neighbor meeting. You can also get results on the eve of an election year. Ask for action or say you and your group will attend a city council meeting and raise your concerns. They will almost always act to avoid a public spectacle, especially if the mayor is up for reelection. Since other areas have cat control you are not reinventing the wheel. Use them as a resource! Also many professors and specialists are willing to help a cause that lines up with their field of expertise through public outreach/education, use them as a valuable resource! Here is a great video when you have time, about migrating song birds. I find it incredibly enlightening and brings a better understanding of the need for conservation of migrating birds. In some ways they impress me more than monarchs migration, which is hard to fathom. I don't think enough people realize that the birds we see locally come all the way from S. America! This video (by far one of my favorites) covers their amazing journey: Gulf Crossing, The story of Spring Others: Saving Songbirds | Saving Songbirds Bird Tales | Bird Tales
I agree with the OP - it's disgusting. If that was the neighbor dog - it'd be a goner. on a brighter note - it's fun to google "catio" and see the various outdoor play zones people have built for small pets (dogs / cats) there's a man in Sechelt BC who organizes a "catio tour" (like a garden tour) to see the great projects people have created. Sunshine Coast Catio Tour I think he started the Catio Cause because he likes to have wild birds in his garden - and the darn neighbor cat would leap out of his flower beds and kill or fatally injure the birds - hummers included. He became so energized by the wrongs of the situation that he put up a wildlife (security) cam and has footage of neighbor cat attacking in his garden - I'm not sure if the situation is resolved (ie if the cat owner has taken proactive responsible measures) - however, the garden-bird man is now a proponent of "catios" here's an upcoming tour in Vancouver BC Vancouver Catio Tour | BC SPCA
Thanks Georgia Straight! That sounds like a very positive direction for cat owners, and the 'catio tour' is a great way to publicize it. There is a great business idea there for folks to make these enclosed environments for cats. Animal Control as asked us to photo document cats in our yard. Easier said than done, cuz by the time I get my phone out the cats are gone or in the shrubs.... Meanwhile, I planted some of my garlic in pots, then excavated 8 x 2 feet of soil that was full of cat poo. Got all new soil, planted more garlic, and covered it all in chicken wire--no mean feat for a gal with a very sore back. It was tempting to deliver the cat poo to my neighbour, but then what? You guessed it, I would be the one in trouble. My hat's off to the Vancouver SPCA for sponsoring the Catio Tour. Here is the link, Vancouver Catio Tour | BC SPCA
... yes it's a nasty situation to say the least. at this time of year - gift season and all - often there are sale prices on "wildlife cams" that you can put in your window ... similar to a security cam that homeowner DIY install ... i'd start by looking at London Drg ... then I suppose Cdn Tire would be next you want to be able to SAVE the footage - so some are with a memory card that you just put in to your computer - but be warned you often have to check to see if you have captured footage that is helpful before the memory runs out - and it starts to "write" over itself on the card --- of course, some connect with your phone and alert you to certain movements etc ... we have raccoon issues - and they p**p all over our one and only lawn - that is also disgusting ... I assure you (and disease ridden) careful with the wildlife cams because sometimes those have to be OUTSIDE (out of the rain in our climate) with electric plug or battery. They are motion activated usually whereas the security cam - the are usually just "on" at your front door or wherever you place it - anyway - lots to think about - I think that pet parents don't believe that their fav little fuzzy cute companion is actually not as innocent and adored by those who have to live near it ... and I say that being a life long pet owner !
