Stray cats taking over my life!!!!

juliedxx

Hi guys, I was hoping someone could give me a bit of advice about stray cats that seem to have decided to live in our garden.
A few months ago three of them appeared, a male and two females I think. They seem fairly used to people, and dont hiss/fight or anything. But I absolutely cannot bear them, I am not an animal lover at all, and they have completely taken over the place. They try to run into the house at every opportunity and sit on the windowsill trying to climb in the windows. It didnt bother me that much in the winter when the windows were closed but it kills me that on a beautiful day like today I cant open any doors/windows without them making a run for it and climbing in. We also cant use our garden for eating/sitting outside because they will swarm around us, and climb up on the table.
They seem to know when we are about to leave the house in the mornings because they are pressed up against the front door and run through our feet to get in. And to make matters worse one of them had a litter of kittens in our shed about 4 weeks ago. Four of them. So now there are seven. My kids are delighted and think we will be keeping all these cats but they are not ours, and we really dont want them and dont know what to do with them.
Its gotten to the stage where I am actually having nightmares about them, had one the other night that I couldnt get in my front door because they were swarming around my feet at the door!!! Irrational I know, but I really feel they have taken over my life. We were on holidays recently and honestly the best part was being able to open the door of the holiday home without stressing about bloody cats running in!
I cant seem to find any info on cat shelters in our area that would take them. We are in Carlow/Kilkenny area. I cant stand them any longer but I wouldn't like to do anything cruel to them.
Does anybody know firstly is there anything I can do to stop them getting into the house, apart from barricading the windows/doors! And secondly does anyone know of any shelter that would take them? Id be willing to travel a reasonable distance.
Sorry for the long rant, but Im sitting looking longingly at my garden, Id love to throw open the patio doors and sit outside!!

juliedxx

I meant to mention that my husband, who is a big softie, sometimes feeds them which obviously doesnt help. He feels sorry for them and is afraid they'll be hungry!! Ive just heard my daughter say to her cousin "lets go outside to thr kitten zoo"!!!! Eeeek!!!

taytobreath

The s.pc.a.'s they offer a nuetering scheme. There's one in kilkenny and Carlow. They will trap, neuter and release back the cats to you. The kittens could be rehomed ask around put up an add and take cute pics of them, I'm assuming they are all tame because your kids are socialising them which is essential to get homes for them. The adult cats will be hard to find homes for. Its a pity you dont like cats, because they are really lovely creatures. I hope you are feeding them and leaving water out. The reason they are trying to get indoors is because they are probably starving.
Try the s.p.c.a's

TheChizler

Obvious response, but, get a dog?

Lu Tze

Get one of these, they will clearout after a while

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Contech-ScareCrow-Motion-Activated-Deterrent/dp/B005MW9VOM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406143698&sr=8-1&keywords=water+spray+cat

endacl

taytobreath wrote: »

hope you are feeding them and leaving water out. The reason they are trying to get indoors is because they are probably starving.
Try the s.p.c.a's

Disagree, with respect. The op doesn't want the cats. Cats are well able to fend for themselves. The reason they've taken up residence is because the location is attractive to them.

Want not, feed not, OP. It's not cruel. Sounds like the family may take some convincing though...

endacl

TheChizler wrote: »

Obvious response, but, get a dog?

I heard about this old lady once. Seems she swallowed a fly...

taytobreath

endacl wrote: »

Disagree, with respect. The op doesn't want the cats. Cats are well able to fend for themselves. The reason they've taken up residence is because the location is attractive to them.

Want not, feed not, OP. It's not cruel. Sounds like the family may take some convincing though...

So you suggest leave them starve and hopefuly they will stray to a new home. Thats just cruel. The kittens wouldnt have a hope

TheChizler

endacl wrote: »

I heard about this old lady once. Seems she swallowed a fly...

If that story's anything to go by she should save money and just get a horse now.

Bongalongherb

there I was sitting in front of the compuher with all windows and doors open, and I see this shadow floating by in the hall. It was a young black cat, and it walked into my room as if it owned the place, I just let it walk around and it went off. Friendly little feller though and I'm not fond of cats but he was ok. They don't seem to care where they go.

That is the first time that happened ever, but there ye go.

juliedxx

Thanks for the replies guys, the kittens are cute little things and I

taytobreath

You should feed all these cats everyday till you can get homes for them. It will stop them trying to break into your house too.
It sounds to me like these are tame cats that someone dumped on you.

juliedxx

Thanks for the replies guys, the kittens are cute little things in fairness. My sister has agreed to take 2 of them, so it shouldnt be too much of an issue to find homes for the others. My hubby is feeding them, but I really cant cope with them anymore, I wouldnt mind having one cat if it stayed outdoors, but the constant clambering at the windows and lurking at the doors is really getting to me! I will defo try the spca neutering thing, def dont want more kittens to have to contend with!
I dont want any pets at all, so def dont want a dog to have to look after!! I might aswell have another baby haha!!

Pumpkinseeds

Just be very careful who you give them to OP. There are quite a few people who respond to ads, especially free to good homes ads, who say they want a pet but who are looking for animals to use as live bait for fighting dogs:(:mad:

Odelay

taytobreath wrote: »

You should feed all these cats everyday till you can get homes for them. It will stop them trying to break into your house too.
It sounds to me like these are tame cats that someone dumped on you.

Lol, I have a cat that I feed everyday, he has just climbed through the upstairs bathroom window, dont think feeding them will stop them coming in:)

taytobreath

Odelay wrote: »

Lol, I have a cat that I feed everyday, he has just climbed through the upstairs bathroom window, dont think feeding them will stop them coming in:)

aww it just means he's coming in to give u some love and thanks then:)

taytobreath

juliedxx wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys, the kittens are cute little things in fairness. My sister has agreed to take 2 of them, so it shouldnt be too much of an issue to find homes for the others. My hubby is feeding them, but I really cant cope with them anymore, I wouldnt mind having one cat if it stayed outdoors, but the constant clambering at the windows and lurking at the doors is really getting to me! I will defo try the spca neutering thing, def dont want more kittens to have to contend with!
I dont want any pets at all, so def dont want a dog to have to look after!! I might aswell have another baby haha!!

O.p there are many many animal/cat lovers on this forum that will give you more advice. Keep an eye on this thread over the next few days and you'll get useful information from them. Good luck;)