Conference misery::feline_v1

    I would raccoon-proof the trash.  It isn't clear to me from your note
    if it is in metal cans, or what.  Yes, raccoons can attack cats.  As
    long as the trash is easy pickings, the racoons will go after that and
    stay around rather than use their natural sources of food.
    
    Try a padlock on the gate, if I'm visualizing it corectly.  One of
    those metal ones that you can get in a bicycle shop, with a key
    that you can leave near by.
    

    Around my area we have racoons, opposums, and skunks.  Even though
    my cats are only allowed out during the day (mom's rule)...I have
    seen the wild animals and my stray cats I feed sitting on my
    porch together munching out on food.   I was truly amazed to
    see Van Gogh (cat)...and a skunk sitting side by side.
    
    We have had to wild-animal proof our trash area.  We brought
    the big plastic trash containers that have lids that snap on...
    we also put a lock on the door of the shed.  I have heard of
    bungy cords around the lids work well too!
    
    I truly believe the wild animals would attack a cat...but I feel
    it would only be if the cat put them in a prediment where they
    thought their life was in danger.  Please be careful...I'm not
    sure where you live...but many areas have found the racoons 
    have rabies this year.  
    
    Sandy
    

    Sandy
    
    Nippa has a skunk friend too!  What is it w/ these cats?
    
    Michele & Nippa
    

    Michele...it scared the heck out of me.  I put the light on
    the porch figuring the skunk would run away...but the stray
    is the one that ran away and the skunk sat there and ate.
    We then tapped on the window...and he just looked at us!
    What a nerve on those little stinkers!    
    
    All the wild animals love the cat food.   The especially like
    Hills Science Diet...but it's a bit expensive for the wild life.
    
    Sandy
           

    I have 3 cats and raccoons that visit the trash every night.  My cats
    have never been hurt by the raccoons and my "big guy" Morris is always
    up to no good.  He just watches the raccoons while they go thru my
    trash.  The raccoons are little guys so they just throw themselves in
    the trash can and go to it.  
    
    I have the Rubbermaid trash cans and the raccoons just snap off the lid
    and get at it.  We have also tried putting bungy cords over the top and
    they just took that off also.
    
    We have tried spraying the trash cans with amonia.  That did work for a
    couple of days.  We never kept on re-applying it.
    
    Good Luck.  These little guys are tough to get rid of once they find a
    good eating spot.
    
    /karen
    
    

    I just remembered about our barn raccoons.....these buggers have been 
    getting into grain and cat food for a long time.  These guyes are fat!
    We tried to raccoon proof the grain bins, and the coons got real mad
    and trashed the place.....big time.  They pooped all over the place and 
    ripped up and knocked over all sorts of stuff.  The next morning, one
    cornered my friend.....fortunatly her dad was there to bob it on the
    head with a shovel......but the others are still around.

    Sprinkle some sudsy ammonia around the trash.  It will
    keep any animal away from the trash! :-)
     
    L

    Yes, if you are in the northeast, there is a high incidence of rabies
    in the wild life this year.  In my location rabid raccoons have been
    found. Raccoons are unbelievably devious and clever.  And they are
    certainly capable of killing a cat.
    
            

    Thank you for all your replies!
    
    I am from the Northeast (Shrewsbury, MA).  I absolutely agree with you
    that racoons are extremely clever because in order to get to the trash
    they would have lift a gate type of cover to get under the porch and at
    the trash.  Even when I'm pulling it up  you have to stand back to get
    clearance and it isn't light either.
    
    What my husband has done is put bricks against it so now I'll wait and
    see if they're smart enough to move the bricks and then open it.  I'm
    also going to get some canisters for the trash (right now they're just
    in trash bags (with the area they're in no animal has ever gotten into
    them "3 years now") and also start putting ammonia around the
    cannisters.
    
    I also wasn't aware that we (in the N.E.) have that much rabies around
    but my 2 cats do have their shots for some protection.  I'm also going to
    keep my babies in at night for awhile until I can be sure that the
    racoon(s) have moved on.
    
    
    Thanks again for your help!!
    
    Nancy, Ralph, & Alice
    

    Maybe I'm crazy, but when it comes to wild animals I'm of the if you
    can't beat 'em, join 'em school. I *had* a problem with raccoons going
    through the trash, etc. I got one of those feeders for outdoors (that
    has a door that swings so the food doesn't get wet if it rains, and I
    fill that with corn. A 50 lb bag of corn only costs $6 at Agway and it
    lasts about a month. In my estimation, it is a cheep price to pay not
    to have the raccoons go though the trash every night (and it provides
    the cats with plenty of visual stimulation, too).

    Deb

    Deb, I like your solution.  
    
    Nancy - I also think you are very wise to keep the cats in at night.