Feral cat problem.

fatmammycat

I have a feral tomcat that visits our house at least once a day looking for food. He seems to think our home is part of his 'vicinity' and sprays accordingly. My own two cats are afraid of him, and I cannot leave the office doors open without risk of him entering and helping himself to their food, AND spraying -which frankly reeks and I'm sick to the back teeth of both him and the smell. He's not particularly afraid of humans, but has a broken tail that has never been looked at- although it doesn't seem to cause him any discomfort.
Who do I approach about having him trapped and neutered?

Spunk84

fatmammycat wrote: »

I have a feral tomcat that visits our house at least once a day looking for food. He seems to think our home is part of his 'vicinity' and sprays accordingly. My own two cats are afraid of him, and I cannot leave the office doors open without risk of him entering and helping himself to their food, AND spraying -which frankly reeks and I'm sick to the back teeth of both him and the smell. He's not particularly afraid of humans, but has a broken tail that has never been looked at- although it doesn't seem to cause him any discomfort.
Who do I approach about having him trapped and neutered?

Call the ispca and get them to get rid of it or buy a trap

General Zod

Get him neutered certainly, but it won't solve the spraying problem (that's learned behaviour from when they mature).

It may resolve his aggression issues with your two cats.

does your local vet support trap neuter and release?

fatmammycat

I don't know if he does, I will certainly give him a call and see. He's a plucky sort, this cat, and I am at my wit's end with him. Now that the weather is finally warmer I want to be able to leave my office doors open so that my two can come in and out of my garden in peace.

anniehoo

General Zod wrote: »

Get him neutered certainly, but it won't solve the spraying problem (that's learned behaviour from when they mature

It will get rid of the horrible tom cat scent though. It leaves their system approx 2 weeks after neutering.

fatmammycat

anniehoo wrote: »

It will get rid of the horrible tom cat scent though. It leaves their system approx 2 weeks after neutering.

THAT would be a tremendous start to fixing this problem.

anniehoo

Im in the same boat as you. 2 toms im still trying to catch...the scent is awful but i quite like the little feckers. Yes its a learned behaviour but the scent will definitely go and the need to spray really should reduce too. Buy or rent a cat trap (google) and bring him in to be neutered.

fatmammycat

That's my plan, although he could be quite tricky to catch, clever bugger that he is. Wish folk would neuter their cats, awful even to see the condition of this guy.

treascon

I had the same problem too last year. A feral tom just arrived one day, bullied our guy out of it & made himself at home. I got on to my local spca who advised me where to rent a cat trap for a refundable fee upon return & they contributed 30e towards neuturing him. I had no problem catching him with a nice smelly tin of tuna! Subsequently rehomed him to someone looking for a yard cat. Good luck!

fatmammycat

treascon wrote: »

I had the same problem too last year. A feral tom just arrived one day, bullied our guy out of it & made himself at home. I got on to my local spca who advised me where to rent a cat trap for a refundable fee upon return & they contributed 30e towards neuturing him. I had no problem catching him with a nice smelly tin of tuna! Subsequently rehomed him to someone looking for a yard cat. Good luck!

Thanks, I'm going to give capture a bash! Photos will accompany this adventure.