Wanted: Mouse Killer

[Gonzo Gardener]

It dawned on me this morning, as I watched the sun rise over the wall of tasseled cornstalks that defines the boundary between my bit of ground from the fields and forest beyond, that it was nearly harvest time. Once that tall green barricade is removed the mice will invade seeking a warm place to hunker down for the winter. It will not be in my house!

So...

I'll be heading to the Humane Society of Indianapolis today in search of a good mouser to draft into my seasonal war. I'm looking for frisky and fearless!

We do have a dog, Rascal (Red Heeler/Shepherd mix), who LOVES kitties and is extremely jealous of other dogs. It will be important to choose a mouse killer who can easily adjust to his very enthusiastic and slobbery lovin' or submit to his "king of my castle" attitude.

A young frisky kitten might be the easiest option, but I've heard that some dog breeds can be just as good in the rodent control department. Also, I can rescue two mature cats for the price of one cute and fuzzy kitten... dilemma!!!

The biggest problem, for me, is that when I go to the "pound" I see all of those sweet, sad, or scared eyes looking at me and want to take ALL of them home. I become a blubbering mess if I don't go with some idea of what I'm seeking.

Loungerz, please, help me choose a new addition to our family.
(click on the Animal Adoptions tab. Clicking on a photo takes you to a "bio" page with specific info on each animal.)
http://www.indyhumane.org/

:hi:

[Sanity Claws]

1. My two cents

A kitten born to a feral mom was taught to hunt and will be a good mouser. A Maine Coon mix would also be a good mouser.
I looked at the bios of the cats and did not see enough info to make a decision. Talk to the people at the shelter and see if you can more info on the cats. I remember my shelter listed if they were "surrendered" by former owners and why. The former owners may say something about the cat's mousing instincts.
The only cat on the shelter page you posted was the Snowshoe mix. My gut tells me she may not be a good mouser; Snowshoes are relatively rare (IMHO) and the mother may have been too pampered to teach mousing skills to her kitty.
Good luck. Remember to post photos when you finally select your new furbabies.

[Gonzo Gardener]

3. Thanks for your two cents!

I'll be sure to ask about background on the animals to help make the final decision and I'll be spamming this board with fuzzy photos in no time!

[bertha katzenengel]

2. my thought --

Adopt a grown cat. Look into the eyes of the grown cats.

[Gonzo Gardener]

4. I'll be looking for that intense gaze of a true hunter!

The good news is, if I adopt a grown cat, they are priced at about half of what a kitten or pup runs. I may come home with two sweethearts today.

It just kills me to know that these little babes are facing a death sentence if someone doesn't adopt them. If I can focus on what traits I need in an animal I might not fall to pieces until I get out to my car.


Who am I kidding? I'm already teary. x(

[ThomCat]

5. I hope you find two adult mousers

that love you and your dog. :)

[Gonzo Gardener]

6. Even if the mice are scampering over my slippers and depositing their poo in my silverware drawer...

we will love him/her or them!

Thanks, ThomCat! :pals:

I'm off, now, to fetch me a new critter!!!

[JitterbugPerfume]

7. I have two cats

a 13 yr old and a four month old. I just cleaned mouse poop out of my kitchen cabinets and I am ready to FIRE both of them


not really . I love Tansy and Lilith!

[Gonzo Gardener]

13. Like moles...

warts, and liver spots... worthless, but they grow on you any way.

I've already fallen in love TWICE today!

[txwhitedove]

8. Jack caught a Texas Coral Snake right in front of the house this week...

and was determined to kill it til we pushed him off and sccoped up the poisonous snake into a big coffee can. Jack is 7-year old male, tough guy!

[Gonzo Gardener]

14. Amazing story!!!

:wow:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. Damn!

Give that cat a medal!

[Pool Hall Ace]

9. Crystal looks like she might be a good match.

Some of the descriptions are rather vague, and I realize that some of them will have unknown backgrounds.

However, check Crystal out.

[Gonzo Gardener]

15. She is adorable!

I've posted an update (post #12) and photos will follow tomorrow.

[meow2u3]

10. Adopt a grown cat

Cats have honed their mousing skills.

[Gonzo Gardener]

16. I think you're correct!

The older of the two we adopted today is a full fledged attack cat!

[Corgigal]

11. I vote for Razzy

I don't know why, I just like his face. Go see him

http://www.indyhumane.org/animals/availablecats.php?id=5684171

and while you're visting..adopt datoka too..lol

http://www.indyhumane.org/animals/availabledogs.php?id=5809656

[Gonzo Gardener]

19. Razzy was a wonderful cat!

He was one of the boys that really stood out. He had a bobbed tail and an extra toe on each paw. I met the man who adopted him today. They left the shelter a happy pair. :)

(I've posted an update on my adoption. See post #12 for the gory details.)

[Gonzo Gardener]

12. Update: I haz Kittehs!!

I'm thrilled to announce the latest additions to the Green Meanie household. We've adopted a 3 year old female, Marley, and a 4 month old male, Wyatt.

Marley was surrendered by her owner early this spring. She is a very feisty loner with attitude and attacks anything that moves. Her coat is snow white and she has one blue and one green eye. It will take us some time to adjust to each other and for her to get used to the other animals, but that's just fine because she may turn out to be the serial killer I was looking for.

Wyatt was born at a rescue and has never been free to play outside of an enclosed area. He moved at lightning speed as he explored the entire house... sliding around corners, banging into walls, and climbing onto and tumbling off of the furniture. His coat is black and tan tiger stripe and his eyes are ringed in gold and green. He showed very little reaction when I paraded Rascal through the house on his leash this evening and turns into a cuddle bug once he's expended all of his kitten energy.

It's been a long day and we're all exhausted. I'll boast photos tomorrow evening.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. Congrats!

Get some of those toy mice for them, and they'll be on their way!

[Gonzo Gardener]

34. Pfffft, toy mice...

We're going to tie catnip 'round the necks of all the REAL mice so the cats are sure to want to catch 'em!

:silly:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

44. If you start them on the toy mice...

they'll be extra-excited by the real ones scurrying around. No catnip needed!

[FloridaJudy]

17. I have a dog and a cat

And had mondo mice in my last place. The dog was a much better mouser than the cat. What you need is a small terrier - terriers were bred to get rid of vermin. Most cats I know are way too lazy to do the job.


Smudge: alert and on the job..............Chloe: napping while Smudge takes care of it

[Gonzo Gardener]

21. Oh my...

there is no way Rascal or my husband will agree to a terrier after the two babes I presented them with this afternoon, but I was tempted to adopt as many as I could fit on the visa! :P

Your Smudge and Chloe look like real sweeties!

[DS1]

18. My cat would be perfect for this

I didn't think I could fall asleep to the sounds of him crunching the bones of the chipmunks which lived in the attic I was living, but apparently I can.

This dude is a badass hunter, and also loves to invite himself into neighbors' houses. I can smell perfume on him when he returns more times than not.


wait. they want money for these cats? I was going to with Jedi
http://www.indyhumane.org/animals/availablecats.php?id=4842057

[Gonzo Gardener]

28. Luke Skywalker was scaling the large floor to ceiling enclosure...

in the cat area of the shelter when we arrived and Jedi was perfecting his flying side kick nearby.

Your badass hunter sounds like quite the tomcat. He's gorgeous!

[elshiva]

32. He looks like my Monty.

:loveya:

buffy/

[Haole Girl]

22. If you really want a mouse killer, I'd go with a tabby...

maybe "Marble"? For some reason, most Tabby cats are great hunters.

Edit: Oh, after I posted, I read up-thread where you got one already!!

[Gonzo Gardener]

35. Yes, we're thrilled and in love with them already!

[ashling]

23. Moose killer?

[ashling]

25. Sorry, I didn't know the picture was going to be that big

or that scary!

[Gonzo Gardener]

36. Wow, this craptacular photo should have come with a warning!

:spray:

This may be life sized, but she is NOT lifelike.

[Lorien]

26. Two cats are easier than one

one kitten will be on you day and night for at least a year. Two cats will still want your attention, but they won't drive you half insane with demands because they'll have one another. Believe me, two are much, much easier than one!

Personally, I like Stewie:



and Franky:

[Gonzo Gardener]

38. Integrating two more

into this crazy house has turned it into a ZOO!

We considered Stewie...

[1]

27. if you want a mouse killer, your best bet is this...

by all means, go to a shelter and bring home a kitty or two. i love kitties. but kitties are just about useless for catching mice within a home, because mice within a home hang out where kitties cannot get to them. in your cabinets, in you closed up food supplies... kitty can't catch what kitties don't have access to.


after you pick up the kitties, stop by the hardware store and buy a bunch of victor traps.

your kitties will be warm and happy. and the traps will kill the mice...

[Mugu]

29. How right you are.

[1]

30. ha! did that little cutie warm that snack on that burner first?

that is a great picture...

:rofl:

[elshiva]

31. SNAP!

buffy/

[Gonzo Gardener]

39. Victor traps and green cheese have been added to the list!

:rofl:

[bluesbassman]

33. I could lend you Puffball. You may want to get some thick gloves though.

Just sayin..

[Gonzo Gardener]

41. Your lynx would surely take care of my mouse problem...

and all of the neighborhood toddlers as well! :scared:

[baldguy]

37. Why?

[Gonzo Gardener]

42. Hey, if our new cats can tame the mice...

like the one in your photo, I have a pretty good chance of catching them!

:rofl:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

40. Good for you for adopting more kitties.

But remember -- dont tutch the but.

[Gonzo Gardener]

43. Ocelot, I just sprayed coffee all over my monitor!!!

My son informed me last night that Wyatt really liked being scratched behind his tail.

I promptly hid my favorite bamboo backscratcher!