Interesting development - actually TRICKY interesting development on the feral front

[Siwsan]

My neighbor stopped to talk with me, this afternoon. This is the neighbor in whose yard the ferals shelter. She is NOT an animal lover and she said that the situation, in her yard and on her deck isn't good. The conversation was very friendly and I totally understand her concerns. I should have mentioned that if they'd actually trim up those bushes, it might help take care of the problem, right there.

Strangely enough, I spoke to her husband about the cats, last Summer. He didn't seem to have an issue with them. Oh well. Like I said, I do respect her position.

So between us now we are going to work to not only trap and neuter, but maybe try to relocate. She said she already trapped and gave away two. Maybe that's what happened to Tuxie? That's my hope, anyway. Meanwhile, I've moved the dishes to the other side of the yard. I'm going to look up some ways and work with her to 'encourage' them all to vacate that shelter.

I'd definitely keep Mittens the Kitten and Scooter, hopefully getting them to move to a shelter in my yard. Mittens might adapt to inside, but I seriously doubt Scooter will.

And I even talked to her about me being able to come into her yard to cut down some trees that are on our property line.

[Karadeniz]

1. Not everyone has a big soul...

[tanyev]

2. You could point out that cats would help keep less desirable critters away.

Trap and neuter is definitely a good thing, though.

[Siwsan]

3. I did mention that. Our groundhog population has dropped, drastically.

There was a massive family of those living under those shrubs, a few years back. They almost destroyed my herb garden and I was constantly looking for breaches in my garden fencing. Since the ferals arrives, I've only seen one or two.

I've got a big tub that we can transform into a shelter. It can be located far from the shared property line. And I've been reading up on things you can use to encourage them to leave a particular area - coffee grounds, citrus rinds, etc. So I'll start saving both.

Hopefully I can socialize Mittens the Kitten enough to bring her in.

[niyad]

4. Keeping my fingers crossed for lots of good news.

[Siwsan]

5. We're thinking if I have a nice structure shelter, 'baited' with catnip and food, they might move

I've been searching on line for an affordable wooden cat shelter, but might just cut a door flap in a big plastic tub and put straw on the bottom, for now.

[2naSalit]

6. Friends of mine...

Collected styrofoam shipping boxes from a clinic, cut entry holes in them and put warm fabric collected from the thrift store. The kitties like them a lot. Whatever works for the moment is the best answer though.

[Ziggysmom]

7. Possibly the neighbor is worried that a handful of un-neutered cats will turn into dozens.

I'm a cat LOVER, but can understand her anxiety about that. My daughter's block was once home to over 50 strays and it took 2 years to trap, neuter, rehome or release them all. They would urinate on her porch and the smell and stress made her indoor cats crazy. It was not good for cats or people. Hope your neighbor will be understanding and helpful. Is she a bird feeding type? Sometimes bird watchers hate cats because they fear they will kill songbirds. That usually won't happen if the cats are being fed though.

Good luck 🍀

[hamsterjill]

8. Relocating is very difficult and should be a last resort.

Please check out alleycat.org for information. Alley Cat Allies is considered THE source for feral cat information.

[Siwsan]

9. I will!

I've moved the dishes to the far side of my house.

Truth be told, this issue actually developed because they let their back yard shrubs grow wild. They've been harboring groundhogs, for years, that have caused a LOT of damage to my herb, flower and veg gardens. Once the cats moved in, the groundhogs left.

If they'd trim up the bottoms of those shrubs and make it less hospitable, they might relocate themselves. I'm FINE with them being in my yard, although I tend to my shrubs and bushes. I've found a couple of possible shelters I can buy but I can't put them up until the ground settles. Then I think I've found the perfect spot.