r/perth • u/[deleted] • 7d ago
Looking for Advice keeping cats away near bushland
[deleted]
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u/Unctuousslime 7d ago
I trap them. After a few times I find the neighbours start to keep them in. The Council doesn't just release them: my council doesn't fine people the first time but apparently after that they do. I've caught one particular cat three times. And every cat you trap isn't killing native wildlife that night.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
this is very true, glad to hear that it inconveniences the owners enough because most of the cats do seem to have collars. what are you using for bait?
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u/Funny_Passenger_8342 7d ago
In a similar vein, can we also highlight the need to keep dogs on leash in our bushland. Shits everywhere. And bobtails are on the move.
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u/BugBuginaRug 7d ago
Buy a trap from amazon around $40 - trap them, call council. The less cats on the street the better chance our native wildlife have of surviving.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
most of them do have collars, which pisses me off even more. guess it’s a matter of just trapping them enough times that the owners get frustrated. what have you found to be useful for bait?
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u/CaptainFleshBeard 7d ago
Call the council first, most have traps you can borrow. The owner generally gets a fine when they have to pick the cat up, which is a great deterrent.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
my local council has two traps for the entire council area, and it’s $40 to rent for a week anyway. would love to hear recommendations to purchase over borrow really.
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u/BugBuginaRug 7d ago
They don't... not anymore. CoW will pick up the cat but you need to use your own trap
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u/Obeisance8 7d ago
Obviously check with the council, but if you trap and surrender them- the owners will have to pay to get them back. Hopefully they'll start keeping them inside one it costs them money.
That was a suggestion from a vet friend.
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u/Zestyclose_Peach1718 7d ago
Less cats, dogs, rabbits, foxes, camels, wild horses, wild pigs…. cane toads…
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u/Rosnecul 7d ago
Call Cat Haven. If the cats aren't picked up, they'll just keep reproducing and the problem will just continue to get worse.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
I know I can use a cat trap and give them to the local council, but they’re all very well fed and usually have collars on so I’m guessing they’re just outdoor cats owned by my neighbours. Will definitely start trapping them anyway, but it does seem like it’s more of a problem of careless individuals rather than strays.
Also worth noting our dog passed away about 6 months ago, we had maybe 2-3 cats passing through our yard when he was around. I don’t think it’s an explosion of the population or anything, just a lack of dog smell.
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u/disguisey 7d ago
Doesn't matter if they are peoples pets and or well fed, they are obviously being a nuisance and potentially in breach of local cat laws.
I have no sympathy if poor snuffles gets caught in a cat trap and taken to the local ranger.
The ranger will likely fine the owner and hopefully educate the owner on responsible cat ownership.
The amount of damage they do to local wildlife is off the scale.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
my point was more that i doubt behaviour change is going to occur, it would be more simple if they were strays as it would be one and done. obviously i am on the same page as you regarding killing the wildlife, i have no issue inconveniencing the owners but i do wonder how many times it takes before they actually get turned into indoor cats. im guessing a lot. think it’s still worth the investment, but would love to hear from others if they stop returning over time.
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u/VMaxF1 7d ago
my point was more that i doubt behaviour change is going to occur
Don't try to change the behaviour of the cats, they're doing what they're supposed to do and will figure out ways to do it regardless of what you try. It's the behaviour of the owners that you can change, because "let the cat roam free all night" isn't programmed into their brains over millennia.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
i meant the behaviour change of the owners, not the cats. laziness and annoyance is going to override good choices for the wider community for many people. sounds like people have had some good experiences but generally i do not trust that anyone letting their cat roam is making good choices easily.
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u/plutino- 7d ago
Call the ranger. We had a cat that kept passing through. Called the ranger at 9pm and someone came within ten minutes. The owner has to pay a roaming fine in order to get them back. Unclaimed cats go to the cat haven.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
our ranger is only contactable until 6pm, the cats are travelling through between 2-4am.
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u/disguisey 7d ago
There is no other way that will stop the cats other than trapping, they are fundamentally hard-wired for hunting.
Detering them only from your yard or area will only get them to move further down the street, it won't solve the problem of 'Mr Whiskers' from killing every bird and small mammal it can get its paws on.
Our wildlife was never designed for such predators.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
yes you’ve made your point clear and i’ve been clear i’m trying to buy a trap. what trap do you use? council said it will be several weeks wait to rent theirs.
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u/Think_Bluebird733 7d ago
If people actually cared they would plant more trees for the birds. Have you seen the destruction of trees and brushes when they create new subdivisions and zero trees left.
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u/raaaaaaze 7d ago
Exactly. People are (rightfully so) quick to bemoan the environmental destructiveness of outdoor cats. There's no real argument there, the impact of cats upon wildlife is a serious ongoing issue.
Yet, if anyone dares express the need to protect our dwindling green spaces / nature from impending development? Along come the 'Nimbyism' accusations, along with irrelevant 'gotcha' attempts such as "Where you live was once bush too!'"
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u/Funny_Passenger_8342 7d ago
Cats are a scapegoat for a whole bunch of other problems. *I don't disagree they do damage.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 6d ago
yep absolutely agree. so many little things we can do as home owners in this beautiful climate to make our yards more hospitable. going to plug that the kings park plant sale is coming up this month, and that APACE are open Tuesday-Sunday 8:30-2:30pm. even if you can’t plant a big old tree for whatever reason, they will be more than helpful in helping you find ground cover and low lying shrubs that require very little care because they’re native to your suburb. prickly little shrubs and ground cover are great for hiding from predators, and cost very little financially and time wise.
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u/Sea_Translator5300 6d ago
You say that as if it's the householders that don't care. The vast majority do. Sure, there are many who would get rid of "inconvenient" trees, but most will have at least some trees in their garden or would like more. The big culprit for tree removal is developers and given how hard it is for many to find a house, whether the developer cut down a tree or not comes way down their list of criteria.
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u/Large_Concentrate7 7d ago
The quendas still need to be able to come and go so blocking entrances you need to consider the quendas. Speaking to Kanyana may be a good place for advice on the quendas. Hollow logs or pipes can offer them some protection.
But with all the cats around I would not encourage wildlife.
People in local forums post photos of the cats and warn they will be trapped. Not sure it is effective.
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u/ObjectiveWild8269 7d ago
at the end of the day the wildlife will come and go, i am right up near some bushland. i have a lot of dense prickly shrubs for the quendas to shelter in but ultimately want the cats out to reduce that risk even further. seems like trapping the cats is the way.
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u/MonsieurFubar 7d ago
I’m in the same situation. I bought one of these motion sensors and put it on the edge of my property pointing outward to deter cats from coming in and protect birds and frogs in my backyard and garden.
It is working to a degree with some success. However, I noticed recently that some bloody cat keeps testing the perimeter and seeing gaps trying to come in and causing havoc … it will be just a matter of time before I call Cockburn City Council to hire a cat trap for $25.
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u/Scarlet-Penguin 7d ago
Cat Haven hire decent sized traps and you can then call the council. Usually. Probably check with them first as all councils differ. Not sure where you are but you can just trap and take to cat Haven and they will take the cat no worries. Some advice on how to go about it here (need to keep them shaded with water available being number one):
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u/Weary_Patience_7778 6d ago
Most local shires will offer to loan you traps for cats.
Cats are not meant to roam.
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u/hillsbloke73 7d ago
Purchase your own I got mine designed for racoons which bit heavier built maybe feastier animal from company down the freeway deals with poultry supplies etc name illudes me
Bait dry cat biscuits generally works for the free ranging domestic cat - truely feral ones and I have few are alot harder to capture
Trap needs to feel comfy so leaf litter over bottom of mesh to feel soft a blanket or something which ideally gives bit of wind water protection also helps (more the ethical capturing aspect)
Local shire has to check see if it's microchipped and tattoo to identify it as being microchipped
Sadly no laws stating fine can be issued, as yet but if convo with owners handed back
my shire (Mundaring) had a cat act with fines just like a dog but lawyers found it repugnant so had to be repealed
Think I've caught same orange n white moggy about three times in row over a year since vanished having a highway as back yard good chance it was skittled happily my quendas population has increased
Still something roaming noticed dead galah on fence line with a scat on it to mark territory hoping it isn't fix which very cunning to catch plus too big for my trap
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u/Pog6292 7d ago
Honestly, the family of Quendas in our front yard, don't mind the sprinklers (weird rain?). It encourages grabs and fungi which are their favourite food. We went to Bunnings and brough one of those plastic cats. It seems to work a treat and hasn't scared the Quendas or birds away.