13 August 2010

The Bane of Less-loved Cats

Kibbles bought from supermarkets and left-over human food were thrown or left on the floor or road for the neighbourhood cats.

Litter boxes were also not provided. So where would the cats go if they have to ease themselves? They were chased out if done in their owners' house, porch or garden.

Cats, being smart as they are, starting easing themselves in EJ's garden where they could not be disturbed. EJ would not mind if the garden is a sprawling few acres but it is such a tiny postage stamp-sized garden. These cats were not exactly in excellent health and their wastes stank to high heaven.

For months, the cats in the street where EJ lives used this tiny garden as their waste dump. Something had to be done before the cats spread the meow around the whole neighbourhood about their new private toilet. Various deterrent methods like sprinkling water were used but the cats were not afraid of EJ.

As a last resort, EJ thought of raising the dividing wall but wanted to give one last unused deterrent method a try. EJ got these creepers more than a year ago and kept winding them round the pot as they grew. Now that it has grown so long, it could be put to good use to line the dividing wall in the hope to visually fool the cats into thinking that access to the garden is blocked. The cats actually prefer to jump and walk on top of the wall en route to the roof and else where.


EJ's brother who was on vacation here then suggested hanging old CDs which EJ promptly did.


So far, EJ cleaned the garden twice and not twice a day. So it seemed to help deter to a certain extent.

Some of the neighbourhood cats; the gray ones did not have a chance to grow up and had already passed on. EJ has not see the one under EJ's car for over a week. Photos of the other three cats were snapped when in the neighbours' houses.

12 comments:

Drunk On Books And Adventure said...

Kerusi,

Those creepers are "Money Plant", aren't they? They're toxic to cats!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum_aureum

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_a_money_plant_poisonous_to_cats

Ellen Whyte said...

Poor kitties, they really need a nice big space to themselves.

Jacqueline said...

Glad the garden litterbox problem is under control...Those kitties need good, loving homes; sorry to hear the pretty gray baby has passed on...Happy Friday, sweet friends...xoxo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Old Kitty said...

Awww me and Charlie are so sad about these less loved kitties in your neighbourhood. But we do know kitties are very smart and will survive the best they can - yet it's still very sad when we all know all they need are loving homes and thoughtful care.

I'm so glad that you are there for your kitties - at least we know they are safe and happy!

Take care
x

Marg said...

Poor little kitties. Your winding vine sounds like a great idea for a divided wall with the CDs which I would have never thought about. Good idea. Hope you have a super day.

The Chair Speaks said...

Blackie007: Yes, I know. This money plant is mildly toxic compared to what the cats' owners have in their houses - the highly toxic ones even to human and not one pot but many. Not only this, they also use chemicals like shelltox, etc, which at times I had to close my windows and doors. Anyway the cats prefer to jump on top of the wall and not on the ledge where the creeping money plant is. And to jump on to the top of the wall, the cat has to first jump on his owner's highly toxic plants.

Au and Target; Jacqueline; Old Kitty and Marg: These kitties have owners who would go for holidays for a day or two, even a week. I have blogged about it

http://thechairspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/09/home-alone-celebration.html

http://thechairspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/home-alone-raya-celebration-2009.html

cats of wildcat woods said...

Sad to hear so many cats in your neighborhood have no homes.

We love Luna said...

Bonjour dear friend!
I'm so sad for these poor kitties that are by themselves in your neighborhood.Poor friends.
purrs
Luna

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

I understand how you feel.

It's sad for you...
and for them


purrs

xo
Abby

Annie Bear said...

This is such a shame and so sad for those kitties who don't have proper, loving homes. :( I know it must be hard for EJ to see that all the time.

Boom Nisanart said...

Feel so sad to hear so many cats in your neighborhood have no homes, but I agree with Old Kitty, they are smart, They will survive.

And Thanks Blackie007 and EJ for info about "Money Plant", I learned things from you guys everyday.

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

What a sad life homeless cats have. It is so heartbreaking to know that many do not survive. If only people would neuter and spay, the population of feral cats would drop. Spaying and neutering isn't the only problem. Some people acquire cats and then do a poor job of caring for them. Cats don't ask for much and yet it seems that some people could care less.
I am glad that you care for cats and care for the disabled ones who might not have homes otherwise.