Subject: Re: Cat in garden (a little OT) From: Susan Tillery <stillery@home.net> Organization: @Home Network Date: Mon, 24 Jan 00 11:47:29 Message-ID: <MOD$000124.21394@rec.gardens.ecosystems> References: <MOD$000123.10584@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
IMHO, you need to find out if she is a stray. If she is, then the best choice is
to trap her, get her fixed, and release her back into the same area. This way you
will keep the feral cat population stable and will not have her producing more
unwanted kittens. Feral cats occupy a niche and if you simply take her to the
pound a new female will likely move in and the problem may repeat itself at a later
date.
On the other hand, if she is not a stray, it is not ethical for you to get her
fixed without permission from the owner. I don't think it is legal either.
Susan Tillery
Orangerose wrote:
> My dilemma is this: > > Should I trap her (while she's friendly and in heat) and take her to the SPCA > and have her neutered? (what if she belongs to someone? Is that > legal/ethical?) > > If I were to have her neutered, what then? Should I leave her with the SPCA or > other animal shelter to be adopted (assuming she's adoptable), or should I let > her have her recovery her and let her back outside after? Or should I take > personal responsibility for her and adopt her myself? > > Or should I look for a way to dicourage her from using my garden as stage for > her love life? Any ideas on how to do that? (Other than getting a dog...) > > Or should I hope she'll shut up soon and let me sleep through the night--and > then forget about it? > > I know this isn't one hundred percent about gardening, but I thought this was > the best forum to ask about humane and sensitive ways to deal with this kind of > issue. > > Thanks in advance, > > Kelly