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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3238.0. "STRAYS.....are POOPING IN THE WRONG PLACE!!!!!" by SHARE::WESTON () Fri Jan 12 1990 10:54

    I checked through the subjects of our FELINE Directory and couldn't
    find what I need for some help and advice......
    
    Here goes..........tough subject, but it's a problem some may have in
    common with their strays.  I have a few I've been feeding and helping
    till they are adopted and fixed.  In the meantime, since the snow has
    melted and the temps are up, by our front door an awful ordor has
    appeard.  We have a lovely bay-window near our front door which extends
    outward of our home.  Underneath is some laticwork which adds to the
    decor.  The kittens and small cats are using this area for their......
    
    POOP-disposal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh! what a smell.  Yes, it will decompose,
    but, explain that............to our guests.
    
    We will have to take it off, to shovel it up and nail it back
    afterwards, but what can I "SAFELY" put down to discourage their
    POOPING there?  Anything?  I hope so.   I'd hate to have to block this
    all in, for those of you who do not know what laticwork is, it's a
    criss-cross of wood together and can be cut into any length or hight.
    I might not be spelling it right, but you get my drift.
    
    Hope I can receive some advice................
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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3238.1orange peel ..XNOGOV::LISAFri Jan 12 1990 11:445
    YOu could try orange peel, or tin foil. I'm sure there is a note on
    this somewhere ...
    
    Lisa plus P&P.
    
3238.2SCREEN?SPUNKI::LUBYDTN 287-3204Fri Jan 12 1990 11:548
How about screening the back of the lattice work and extending the screening
to the ground if need be?

How are they getting in?

Karen

3238.3Good ol' marble chipsGLINKA::GREENECatmax = Catmax + 1Fri Jan 12 1990 12:1613
    When you shovel the sh**, how about laying down a complete layer
    or medium size marble chips from a garden center.  I found that
    a great help with indoor planter pots, whose soil that cats found,
    um, attractive and diggable.  The marble chips didn't appeal to
    them in smell or texture.  Of course, the cats *did* have a litter
    box available, and those strays may not have any ground that is
    not snowcovered to "use."  (er, perhaps under a neighbor's porch?)
    
    Also, try sprinkling a few orange peels over the marble, to cover
    the ground scent from what it used to be.
    
    Good luck,
               Pennie                        
3238.4Mothballs?MCIS1::MICHAELSONFri Jan 12 1990 12:173
    I read somewhere that mothballs spread over the soil is a good
    deterent.
    
3238.5Orange Peels........yes, we'll try it!SHARE::WESTONFri Jan 12 1990 13:3316
    THANKS TO ALL, SO FAR.......
    
    Yes I did see the ORANGE PEEL advise for troubles with indoor cats not
    using their Litter Boxes.  Wasn't sure if this could be done outside
    too.  Guess we better start eating more oranges!!!!  A screen inside
    the laticework is good too.  They -- some -- are small enough to go
    right through the wholes in the laticework, and some did "THEIR DUTY"
    during December, while they were smaller.  
    
    As per advice before and notes I've read -- I would not use MOTHBALLS,
    for anything.  I think the alumium would blow around, so we'll try the
    ORANGE PEELS and I'll see what my husband thinks of the screen work.
    
    Appreciate everything...........thanks.
    
    
3238.6CUPMK::TRACHMANExotic Shorthairs=NO GroomingFri Jan 12 1990 15:556
    How about getting some suet bags and putting mothballs in the bags
    and hanging the bags on the laticework (securing them so the cats
    can't get to them) - they may put out enough scent so it will
    keep the cats from entering the area.  Just a thought!
    
    E.T.
3238.7OI!SUBURB::GLOVERPTangled MothballsMon Jan 15 1990 08:1113
      < Note 3238.4 by MCIS1::MICHAELSON >
                                -< Mothballs? >-

  "  I read somewhere that mothballs spread over the soil is a good
    deterent."
    
    
    Oi,you leava my crew alone you fiend,I dont want my MB used as a
    poop deterrant thankyou!!!   ;-))))
    
   ( 2375 note)                                                      
    
    Phil{}
3238.8Unfrozen pottyPFSVAX::PETHMy kids are horsesMon Jan 15 1990 09:389
    I have some experience with this same problem. Our barn cats see
    the clay floor in the tractor shed as a giant litterbox that doesn't
    freeze. We got a large can of outdoor NO and liberally sprinkled the
    floor with it. We now have them trained to use the horse stalls
    (sawdust) instead. I think you will have a problem until an alternative
    litter is provided, as the stuff under the porch stays diggable when
    everthing else is frozen.
    Sandy
    
3238.9CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Mon Jan 15 1990 13:494
    Is it actually the poop you're smelling, given the cold weather and all?
    I suspect instead what's happening is that an unneutered male
    is marking the area.
    
3238.10HPSRAD::KOPACKORay KopackoMon Jan 15 1990 14:0212
And if it is an unwanted cat marking the area, what advice does anyone have
to encourage him to find another territory?  My garage does not have a door
and there are at least two cats who have been checking the place out lately.
One or more of them is spraying and its getting pretty bad.  There's nothing
in the garage which seems like it should be attracting them and I'm not sure
if they are strays or not.  I suspect they are since they look pretty "rough"
and don't stick around at all if they see you.

I've "caught" them a few times but they don't seem too intimidated.  Any
thoughts on a passive means of encouraging them to "retreat"?

Ray
3238.11CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Mon Jan 15 1990 21:079
    About the only cure I know for this is to find out which unneutered
    cat it is, and have a chat with his owners about altering and why.  If
    it has no owners you might want to consider having the cat altered
    yourself.  
    
    There is an unaltered cat in my neighborhood who does this, but it only
    does it for one or two weeks about twice a year, so maybe your problem
    will solve itself.  Just don't breathe in the meantime :-)