Some home owners are using feral or semi-feral cats to control an influx of rats in Oceanside, Calif, USA. One property owner in the video says cats are better than chemicals.
Cat are better than poisons for the obvious reason that poisons are indescriminate. They kill any animal whereas the primary prey of the domestic and feral cat is rodents. And cats are safe. And you’re saving the lives of cats when you employ them. They’d be euthanized if they were not successfully employed in deterring rats. This sort of ‘work’ also improves the public’s perception of feral cats. There are a lot of polarized viewpoints when it comes to feral cats.
I have chosen my words carefully. Cats don’t necessarily hunt rats (some do) but they do deter them. This pleases home owners. I suppose someone will say you simply drive rats to the next property. Well I hope the neighboring property owner also employs cats!
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As usual, I love to see cats being useful like this rather than being killed in shelters.
I would love to build a secure home for a couple of otherwise unadoptable cats and let them live in my yard. The issue always goes back to the irresponsibility of other pet owners in the are who let their cats roam and do not S/N, spot treat for fleas or even get them an initial vaccination.
Michael. . . AMEN to that!!! When I got my first cat (age 4 or 5), we had mice problems in our home. After about 2 years, from the scent of the cat alone, we never had mice problems!! So happy to see these *kids* having a chance at life — even if it is only to help deter the rodent problem. . . ♥♥♥