Communities across the country are participating in TNR as the most humane approach to addressing overpopulation in outdoor cats. By fixing cats and returning them to their outdoor homes, TNR improves the lives of cats, addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle. TNR is a simple, effective way to help save the lives of outdoor cats everywhere.
While TNR helps to reduce the most commonly unwanted natural cat behaviors like reproducing, fighting, and spraying, there are other natural behaviors that can be disruptive. Thankfully there are multiple simple, safe, and effective solutions for deterring unwanted behaviors in outdoor cats.
While TNR helps to reduce the most commonly unwanted natural cat behaviors like reproducing, fighting, and spraying, there are other natural behaviors that can be disruptive. Thankfully there are multiple simple, safe, and effective solutions for deterring unwanted behaviors in outdoor cats.
What are Community Cats?
The “community cat” title includes any outdoor cat whether the cat is feral, friendly, born into the wild, and even lost or abandoned pet cats. Some community cats are routinely fed by one or more community members, while others survive without human intervention. Whatever a cat's individual circumstances, the term "community cat" reflects the reality that for these cats, "home" is within the community rather than in an individual household. These cats have found a source of food and shelter just as other wild animals have. Many experts now believe the best option is to keep these cats where they are unless serious problems are documented.
Historically Southern Pines has taken in community cats from anywhere within the state of Mississippi which has resulted in increasing our cat intake annually. Overpopulation of cats within a shelter can have detrimental effects on the health of each of the cats in that shelter’s care. Often, cats being housed in overcrowded cottages leads to stress-induced illness which can, unfortunately, be fatal in cats. In our community, the cat reclaim-rate is lower than 1% while lost cats are generally 13 times more likely to be reunited with their owners by non-shelter means. A staggering 60% of lost cats return home on their own if left in the community where they are found. This change in policy will hopefully result in more cats finding their way home without shelter intervention. Southern Pines Animal Shelter is dedicated to saving the lives of as many animals as possible through non-lethal means but we are unable to achieve that goal if we are taking in more cats than we can reasonably provide adequate care.
If you ultimately decide that removing and rehoming the cats from the property is the best option, check out our rehoming resources.
If you ultimately decide that removing and rehoming the cats from the property is the best option, check out our rehoming resources.
Simple Solutions for Unwanted Cat Behaviors
cats are yowling, fighting, spraying, and having kittens.
Yowling, fighting, spraying, roaming, and having kittens are all normal mating behaviors displayed by cats who have not been spayed or neutered. Cats are prolific breeders that can begin reproducing as young as 4-months-old and will have multiple litters of kittens each year if left unfixed.
- Spaying or neutering and vaccinating cats will stop these behaviors. Please reach out to your local animal shelter or animal care organization for information about TNR (trap, neuter, return) programs in your area, or visit the Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic which provides low-cost spay and neuter services and vaccinations and can walk you through the TNR process, even offering traps to rent if needed.
- To combat residual urine smells, thoroughly spray the area with white vinegar or other nontoxic urine-neutralizing products.
There are pawprints on my car.
Cats feel safest and most comfortable when perched on higher areas. The tops and hoods of cars are also warmed by the sun and car engine which may make them extra appealing.
- Purchase a vehicle cover.
- Be sure that the feeding area is not near a carport, garage, or area where vehicles are typically parked.
- Scatter other nontoxic deterrents like citrus peels, coffee grounds, and vinegar around areas where vehicles are parked. There are other nontoxic cat deterrent products such as repellent sprays and granules.
Cats are digging in my garden or yard.
Cats have the natural instinct to scratch, dig, and use the bathroom in loose soil, mulch, moss, or sand. Cats also enjoy curling up in small spaces like pots and planters.
- Scatter fresh citrus peels, coffee grounds, vinegar, tobacco, or oils of lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, or citrus along edge and throughout garden beds. There are other nontoxic cat deterrent products such as repellent sprays and granules.
- Slightly bury cat scat mats, plastic carpet runners spike-side up, or chicken wire. Sticking metal spoons prong-up in high traffic areas can also help; they can often be purchased at thrift stores or dollar stores for cheap.
- Arrange wooden or plastic lattice fencing, gravel, or larger river rocks around established plants and garden beds.
Cats are lounging in my yard or on my porch.
Cats are territorial and will often stay close to a food source.
- Apply oils of lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, or citrus along edge of yard and porch. There are other nontoxic cat deterrent products such as repellent sprays and granules.
- Consider installing a motion-activated water sprinkler.
- Check with the neighbors to find out if and where they are feeding the cats. If cats are being fed near your property, consider asking neighbors to move the feeding station.
- If there is not a neighbor currently responsible for feeding them, consider feeding the cats yourself. This will allow you to better control where and when the cats eat. Be sure to remove any food not eaten within 30 minutes to prevent attracting bugs and other critters.
Cats are sleeping under my Shed or porch.
Cats are looking for a warm, dry shelter away from inclement weather.
- Block or seal the cat's entrance with chicken wire or plastic or wooden lattice. Be sure to check that all cats and kittens are out of the area before blocking it off, especially during spring and summer when most kittens are born.
- Provide an alternative shelter such as a small plastic dog house or even a DIY plastic tub shelter.
- If there is another neighbor or community member caring for the cats, ask them to move existing shelters or provide additional to help redirect cats away from your property.
cat food is attracting insects and wildlife.
If cats are being overfed or leftover food is not removed, it can attract insects and other critters.
- Be sure to feed cats at the same time each day, during daylight hours when nocturnal animals are hiding.
- Cats should be fed enough food that they can eat it all within a 15-30 minute timeframe. If cats are being fed by multiple people or in multiple locations, be sure to coordinate with neighbors to make sure cats aren't being overfed and that feeding stations are in easily cleaned locations.
- Consider purchasing or making bowls and feeding stations that are designed to be ant-proof.
Cats are getting into my trash.
.Cats are scavengers and will search for food if its not readily available.
- Place a tight lid on your trash can or consider putting your trash cans in a storage shed. This will help deter cats and other wildlife like raccoons and possums.
- Check with the neighbors to find out if they are feeding the cats. Cats who are fed on an irregular schedule are more likely to scavenge.
- If there is not a neighbor currently responsible for feeding them, consider feeding the cats yourself. This will allow you to better control where and when the cats eat. Be sure to remove any food not eaten within 30 minutes to prevent attracting bugs and other critters.
For more information about living with community cats, check out the following:
- Alley Cat Allies - How to Live with Cats in Your Neighborhood
- Alley Cat Allies - Best Practices: Community Cat and Colony Care
- Million Cat Challenge
- ASPCA