JV> LT> The neighbors say that their animals running loose keep down the
JV> rat and mouse population in the neighborhood. This is total bunk.
JV> The big snakes do that.
JV> Well.... I'd call that a mixed blessing.
JV> LT> The cats are too well fed to want to hunt anyway, and the dogs
JV> are too into tearing up everyone's flower beds.
JV> I dunno about well fed cats down here in Palm Bay. I'm Ok, but the
JV> woman across the street walks her dog (on a leash) down to the
JV> condos every day. While there, she feeds the stray cats. She's told
JV> me that the people down there don't exactly have her on their
JV> Christmas list. I get lots of birds around my feeder.
JV> My mother's neighbors feed stray cats too. There are at least 5
JV> strays hanging around. _No_birds_. The cats can be seen laying in
JV> wait under the picnic bench. Some day, I'm gonna catch one of 'em
JV> doing his duty in one of the planters and it'll be all over.
Amy's right, if you feed the cats they don't eat the birds. Too fat and 
happy! We used to have a big problem with strays but in the last two 
years it has dropped down to only two. And one of them is taken very 
good care of by me and my neighbor. We both feed her and my neighbor 
lets her sleep in their house on bad nights (lately most nights). My 
cat would have a fit if I let the stray in. And this particular stray 
now has a name (the neighbors call her 'Whiskers') and is fairly 
affectionate.
JV> Yesterday, I saw a NEW cat watching the birdfeeder. Small adult, so
JV> I guess no one's bothered to fix any of the ones that are running
JV> around out there.
I'll see what I can find out about natural cat repellents that don't 
hurt plants or birds.
JV> We called the County to bring a trap one time when we were having a
JV> raccoon problem. They called us back almost 4 months later to tell
JV> us that it was ready. I've heard that the humane society is quicker.
Katie
---
 þ RM 1.31 0723 þ Bad day: When the bird singing outside is a buzzard.
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
---------------