Black Cat w Purple Collar entering homes in Park Slope

virgomatic

I live on the block between PPW and 8th Avenue, btw 11 and 12th streets.

There is a beautiful, healthy-looking black cat with a purple collar (no tag) that roams through all the neighbors' back gardens. I have seen this cat as early as 7am and as late as about 3pm.

While I'm OK with cats roaming around in general, this cat has become a serious nuisance to me and my own cat.

The cat has grown increasingly comfortable coming up to my back door and wedging itself between the gate and glass door. It stresses out my cat, who has started to react by peeing on my bed. NOT. GOOD.

THEN, yesterday (Nov. 9) I left the back door open for some air and heard my cat hissing and freaking out in the living room. Why? Because the black cat had ENTERED MY HOUSE and claimed my own bed as its' own.

Clearly, we have a problem.

If you are the cat owner, or you know who is, please contact me so we can find some resolution.

Thank you.

Attached files

virgomatic

Photos of the cat attached.

Attached files

opossumqueen

Can you approach it? Maybe you could tape a note around it's collar for the owner. You should point out potential perils of letting the cat roam so much and maybe suggest they try a tie out to keep it in its own yard (no idea how a cat would actually react to this.)

whynot_31

I love the idea of creating a cat that carries messages.

It would be less reliable than a WWI carrier pigeon, but excellent nonetheless.

minet

put up some signs around your block. Or start asking your neighbors, they might be able to direct you to the owner

homeowner

OpossumQueen said:

Can you approach it? Maybe you could tape a note around it's collar for the owner. You should point out potential perils of letting the cat roam so much and maybe suggest they try a tie out to keep it in its own yard (no idea how a cat would actually react to this.)

A tie out is a good idea, but it depends entirely on the cat. My first cat loved to put on her leash and go out. She was very cool with the idea that she could only roam <this far> and wouldn't try to get off the leash. My current cats HATE to be leashed and spend most of their time trying to pull their collars/harness off so they can roam. If the cat is used to coming and going as they please, a tie out will probably not work at all.

virgomatic

Thanks everyone! Yes, I have a note folded up and ready to attach to the collar as soon as I can get close to the cat (it hasn't been easy with my cat nearby yet). But yes, that's the plan. So is posting signs on the block. So again, thank you for the suggestions!

I think asking the owner to consider a leash is the best option. The cat SHOULD be able to roam, but at a safe distance from other homes and cats. I think that's a reasonable solution and I'm hoping to make contact with the owner and make this happen.

bohuma

Cats that are allowed to free roam have a life expectancy of 3 - 4 years at most. Cats that live completely indoors live 15 - 20 years. If you want your cat to be part of your life for a long time, keep him/her indoors.

tsarina

Cats that are used to going outside dont readily revert to being indoor only cats. A leash is not a solution for a free roaming cat, and training it to stay "a safe distance from other homes and cats" is down right ridiculous. Perhaps you could get a motion activated sprinkler to discourage the cat. It is, after all your problem. The same could happen with a raccoon or opposum. Keep your doors closed and your screens on and try some lavender scent to chill out your cat.

[email protected]

You might want to tell this idiot owner of the cat that people will, and can, kill black cats near Halloween. Not to mention another black cat that gets into fights with a sick cat at church on 8th st and 6th ave. in Park Slope. The black cat had a bloody scratch from a sick cat. I already rescued an HIV-positive cat from there and do you think this idiot owner cared when i told him this? NO. And not to mention the church trapped some strays there a few years ago and brought them to Animal Care and Control. They were killed.

bohuma

No cat likes its liberties curtailed, but cats, like humans, can break unwanted habits. It takes persistence, but outdoor cats can be confined permanently indoors. Clementine graphically illustrates why outdoor cats have a much lower life expectancy.

caseopele

Outdoor cats absolutely can adjust to living indoors, all it takes is time. Most cats that have lived outside have no desire to go back out again, the ones I have are happy as can be to be indoors. The ones that want to go out are the ones I've had since they were babies and have no idea how hard it is out there.

How sure are you this cat has a home?

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Home-True-Story-James/dp/0807529761