SOMETHING visited us last night!

[Jilly_in_VA]

I went down to feed the cats in their usual place this morning and the whole area was trashed. I'm talking TRASHED. The trash can had been dragged out into the yard and emptied, the former litter box likewise, a 50 gallon drum which was formerly a rain barrel had been rolled down to the edge of the woods, several logs had been rolled off the woodpile, the edges of the tarp that covers the "feeding station" had been pulled up, their water bowl had been overturned and stomped flat, and the double plastic dish they'd been eating out of was completely destroyed.

Spousal unit, when I told him about it, said he'd awakened about 4:30 to some noise and possible growling but he thought it was across the road or down the hill. Looking at it later today, he said he saw some large tracks that were too big for a bobcat and he thinks we were possibly visited by a bear. That makes me more than a bit nervous but I'm also a little skeptical in that although we're rural, the houses are still kind of close together. Still, bears have been sighted down in town and mast has been plentiful this year. I'm feeding the cats by the front door for awhile until the dang things hibernate.

[regnaD kciN]

1. We're in a regular suburban/exurban subdivision...

…outside Seattle, and we’ve had occasional bear sightings in our neighborhood. As their habitat continues to get wiped out by development, they increasingly take up residence in greenbelt/wetlands areas, even near human communities.

[ailsagirl]

2. What a drag!!!

[acantharchus]

3. Domestic cats should not be outside

They are one of the most destructive biological non-native species just behind rats and mosquitos. Put 'em inside or don't have them.

[Jilly_in_VA]

6. Knock it off

They are barn cats. We live in a rural area and they are for rodent control in the outbuildings. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything.

[TallMike]

8. absolutely!

I often shoot stray cats. At least 3 or 5 a month. They wreak havoc anywhere outside of the barn. Barn cats are cool though. However a good dachshund would do their job better and far less environmental damage to native fauna.

Note: I realize this will shock those dear D.U. ers who are so fond of cats. I understand also that I have a cousin who builds and sell "cat trees" out of scrap wood and carpet remnants on ebay and laughs all the way to the bank.
Ranch life life is a bit different than a 5th floor apt in SF or Chicago.
No offense meant.
Love your Life.

[chia]

9. Not shocked, just disgusted by your cruelty.

[Duppers]

13. Same here! Thanks!

Killing any cat (or dog) is heartless. Excuses (pissy reasons) don't matter to me.

[chia]

15. Glad to agree with you.

[Duppers]

16. Thanks. 👍

[FuzzyRabbit]

10. Some people have an irrational dislike of bicycles.

And some people have an irrational dislike of cats.

[Fla Dem]

4. But how were the cats?

[Jilly_in_VA]

7. They were okay

They have places to hide.

[TallMike]

5. Bear...

I live in a very rural area. We have some 800 acres of high foot hill (1850' +/-) ranch land surround by BLM land (different BLM...), national forest and a canyon called "Dead Mans Gulch", because from 1848 unil 1979 - ish thats where the bodies were dumped. But I regress.
As you might suspect we have loads of bear, mountain lion, coyote, opossum and skunk. I won't go into further deatail as there far too many to mention. However, the only one of the aforementioned beasties that would cause the damage you mentioned would be a bear.
Bears want food right now. A lot.
if you are attracting cats to your house you will have bear. Cats are warm and crunchy to a bear. So too small dogs, goats etc.
Buy a gun.
Best of luck.

[onethatcares]

11. you left out

they can be faster than you could ever realize.

I was hoping this thread was about Sasquatch.

[likesmountains 52]

12. I live in bear country too. Our town bought bear-proof trash cans for us.

That really made a huge difference in the number of bears attracted to the neighborhoods looking for food. If the bear discovered food at your place, he'll be back looking again. Here is a link to some information. http://bearsmartdurango.org/
Contrary to another person's comment to get a gun, you should be able to avoid another encounter with just a few changes.