Tag: nuisance cats

Nuisance cats

Cats are considered a nuisance if they roam, attack wildlife or create a disturbance in or around a property.

The following information has been provided to enable residents to deter unwanted cats on their property in a safe manner.

  • Speak to your neighbours to try and resolve the issue
  • Try spraying the cat with water. If the cat associates its visits with an unpleasant experience it is unlikely to return
  • Use a loud sudden noise to startle the cat
  • Use motion activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices
  • Motion sensors use infra-red to detect when an animal enters a defined territory
  • Use of scent repellents can be a useful tool – naturally based products such as the Coleus Canina plant emits an odour that may deter cats.

Residents must be mindful that any action taken to deliberately injure or harm a cat is not acceptable and is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

 

 

Nuisance cat management

The following information may assist in managing nuisance cats on your property.

Cats defecating in gardens or yards

  • Clean the area thoroughly with a biological washing powder solution, and when dry, spray the area lightly with a surgical spirit spray
  • Place a small piece of cardboard with some dried cat food glued to it at that location. Cats will not toilet where there is food
  • Covering the soil with a heavy mulch often deters cats.

Sprinkling any of the following into garden beds may also be effective:

  • Rue (a herb)
  • Orange and lemon peel along with cayenne pepper
  • Coffee grounds
  • Lavender, lemon grass, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus or mustard oil.

Cats entering indoors

  • Purchase a cat flap that has an electronic release. It will come with a device that can be placed on your cat’s collar therefore the cat flap will only open for your cat
  • You can also purchase a microchip activated cat flap that operates from your cat’s microchip number.

Residents must be mindful that any action taken to deliberately injure or harm a cat is not acceptable and such action is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.