Cat Trouble! Is there anything I can do (preferably without killing them)?

Question

There are these two (at least) cats that live in my backyard. It seems as though they have been eying my Holland Lop rabbit (who is, by the way, going to fair this coming week). I've been throwing rocks at them and scaring them off for weeks now. They don't seem to have collars, so it doesn't look like anyone will miss them.

I've been wanting to throw something a little heavier at them for a long while, namely 2 foot arrows with 100 grain arrowheads. But Mom is reluctant to let me shoot anything. This includes the opossum I saw about 3 weeks before we found it dead in our crawlspace.

Today, one of the cats was about 1 yard from my rabbit's cage, until I scared it off when I went out to feed the rabbit. Ranger was obviously very spooked by the cat.

Is there anyway I can permanently get the cats out of my backyard? If not, how can I convince my mom to let me kill them?

Before you cat lovers flame me, saying, "OMG! Why would you want to kill a cat" Or those who are against killing animals in general, what would you do if an animal was going to attack your best (in this case your only) friend, with the intent to kill? I am not here to debate which animal is more fit to live. I am here to make sure that my rabbit is healthy and happy. If killing another animal is neccessary to do this, I am more than willing to do it.

Answer 1

Try squirting them with a hose any time you see them.  Or fill a Super Soaker with 1/2 water 1/2 white vinegar and shoot them with that.  We've had problem with feral cats before and a couple of good drenchings usually drives them off for good.

Answer 2

Shame on anyone that makes you out to be the bad guy for this. You should not have to tell anyone thay you don't want their animal in your yard, on your car, in your garden, spraying on your car tires, or keeping you up at night listening to their pet fighting. Dogs are not allowed to roam freely through a neighborhood. Actually no animalis so why do some people think a cat should be able to? Lets face it, therse are irresponsible pet owners that got a cat and then decided a cat box stinks, the cat sprays on the furniture, meows contstantly, climb on kitchen cabinets.... so they put the food and water outside and let everyone else deal with "their pet cat" .

If a cat comes in my yard I pick him up and use a permanent marker on his back or put a collar with a note "keep me in or else..." If he comes back I "here kitty kitty him" and take him to the shelter myself if I get a hold of him. If he runs, I set my trap up in my back yard with a black garbage bag covering the cage. At the opening I put little tiny pieces of nice stinky salmon in front of the trap and inside the door and a big bowl in the back of trap. Even a full kitty can hardly resist a bite.

Until our society makes people take care of their cat (as they are forced to do with any other pet they decide they want to own) everyone is going to have to accept the fact many cats are going to have to be euthanized. Place your anger on the right person... the irresponsible pet owner that cannot keep his pet under his own control and not the person that does not that person's cat. I do feel sorry for the ferral cats that don't have an owner. It is more difficult for me to take them to the shelter because it is not their fault. It goes back to being the fault of the owner that let their cat out alone and it ran away, was taken, got lost, and then pregant.... If animals are well cared they don't get lost or left behind. If your pet is lost you pray that someone takes it to the shelter where you will find it. You call the shelter and check 15 times every day to see if it was turned in. If you are mad it made it to the shelter you do not care about that cat. They only get euthanized if noone claims them. If you don't miss your cat within three days and it is euthanized it was not a true pet. A pet is an animal you care for and love and never let it be in a situation that can cause it harm. Calling a cat that lives outdoor a pet is a joke.

Answer 3

If the rabbit is your best and only friend, why is he outside? Your rabbit will be healthier and happier inside.He won't be eaten by cats, dogs or anything else. But if you insist on keeping him outside, try putting a pepper mixture around the fence to deter them from coming in. Also, put tin foil around the cage, make sure it is kind of wrinkled but not balled up. The cats don't like to step on it for some reason. Or you can try putting up a LOW voltage shock fence around the area where the cage is.

Answer 4

try shooting them with a paintball gun. If they do have home their owners will know to take care of them. If not it hurts. If you can catch them by hand trow them in a garbage can and shake the heck out of it. OR tie them together by the tails and throw them over a clothes line.

I like your idea of the arrows. You could also put mouse and rat traps around your bunny cage. It wont kill them but it wont feel good. If you make their life miserable enough they will leave.

Answer 5

CALL A SHELTER MAN!!! dont kill them  

Answer 6

will your mom let the bunny in then you can house train him? if not bait a trap and send them 2 a resuce home if they a home less, the only other thing is to get silent rarw (lion/tiger poo) froma garden center and put it down as a protective circle/ parimitor arround the hutch, cats don't like it, i really wish you the best of luck

Answer 7

All you have to do is call the animal rescue.  Or catch the cats and take them to the shelter.  There is no need to kill animals.  And if your rabbit is properly penned up, then the cats can't get him.