Forum Topic

Curfew  for cats!

Should there be a curfew for cats, between 10pm and 7am?This would stop them from nestnapping our birds and, their eggs/young while they sleep.What penalty could be imposed on rouge cats, i.e. cat asbo or electronic tagging?

Nicola Howard ● 5209d19 Comments

Nicola - Yes, yes and yes!  But it should be earlier than 10pm.  I'm speaking purely on behalf of the cats - cats should not be let out at night - danger of roads, foxes, theft, etc.  Cat charities recommend keeping cats in as you have said to lessen nestnapping as well as to ensure cat safety.  Mind you, I saw a local cat scramblng up a tree to investigate a nest box this morning at around 1100, so there is no way you can totally stop them.  I don't know abou cat asbos - or tagging!  some cats wear a bell, but I don't know if the birds hear them.

Nina Battleday ● 5209d

Love the idea of electronic tagging.  It would help employment as we could have "Cat Police" squads rounding up the offenders.55 million garden birds a year killed by cats according to RSPCA (and that's the numbers they know about) but they also say that it doesn't harm the population as cats go for ill or sick birds...really?  Not sure I believe much the RSPCA say after they refused to do anything about Parakeets about 15 years ago saying they wouldn't hurt the environment - how wrong they were on that!All cats should have bells on their collars which would at least give the birds a chance of escape.Why the question?  Have you witnessed a recent nestnap?

Sarah Harris ● 5209d

A curfew would be good as they spend half the night screetching at each other keeping half the street awake.One of my neighbours has 4 cats and never takes them in at night even when it is snowing.They are a real pain in the backside with the noise they make.

Keith Iddon ● 5209d

Keith - maybe a little judicious neutering is called for?  Neutered cats don't have the same urges, therefore keep quiet!  And, in any case, they should not be out at night.

Nina Battleday ● 5209d

Nina,If I could get hold of them at 3am in the morning I would gladly neuter them there and then. Agreed they shouldn't be out,hence the curfew idea.

Keith Iddon ● 5209d

I just wish the moggies would keep out of my garden at night, as they use it as a kitty litter tray.  If my dog won't do it on his own doorstep, why should the local feral riff-raff think they are privileged?

Nicola Howard ● 5209d

They are not doing it their own doorstep, that's why they use your garden.  All cats should be in at night for their own safety, and have indoor litter boxes (though they're only likely to use them at night or when raining). I had cats all my life until recently, and none ever killed birds.

R Bell ● 5209d

and none ever killed birds. How do you know?It's cat nature to stalk birds and kill them.  A cat will catch the bird and, then toy with it.  I have found many a bird with fang wounds, who have died of their injuries, some hours later.Maybe a cat should be put on a collar and lead and, taken for a walk in the park!

Nicola Howard ● 5209d

Nicola - not all cats go for birds.  My old tabby was never seen with a bird, apart from arriving home one day proudly carrying an extremely long dead bird in his chops.  Watch birds, yes, but catch them - no - far too idle.  And don't forget, it's usually the female of the species that are the real killers - mothering instinct and all that

Nina Battleday ● 5209d

it's usually the female of the species that are the real killers.Oh well, life in cat penitentiary!

Nicola Howard ● 5209d

But females are less likely to wander, unless poorly fed. My female never left the garden and never stalked birds. My two males never stalked birds where I could see them, nor brought home bodies. In fact one of my males used to wander along the wall to join the seagulls on the garage and look disappointed when they flew away. He would also sit and watch escaped gerbils, who would come up and sniff him on the nose!

R Bell ● 5208d

But, what are they doing at night, when you are asleep and, kitty is prowling the neighborhood.....Nestnapping?

Nicola Howard ● 5207d

I've just adopted a local ginger feral cat and had him neutered for free under the C4 scheme, Acton veterinary practice told me that he is probably aged 2-4 years and is in excellent shape, I have put a bell on his collar and micro chipped him. I took the plunge because last week he just sat outside my patio doors during the deluge and got thoroughly wet I couldn't bear to see him liket that. My other 17 yr old cat has adjusted well and he has never killed or caught a bird, I would know because he proudly brings every other thing he kills to show me. I love birds (feathered kind) and I love cats so have sympathy for both camps!

Gareth Sinclair ● 5205d

My daughter's male neutered cat is a natural born hunter and wears a collar with a bell but still manages to catch and bring everything home through the cat flap.  He brings home mainly mice, the occasional bird and even a frog last week and the week before.  This is during the daytime so a curfew wouldn't help.  It's very upsetting, especially if the poor things are still alive.  Daughter was told that if you scold the cat it will think you are displeased with its gifts and bring you more.

Maria Pettit ● 5205d

Whatever you do will make no difference.This is what they do.

Keith Iddon ● 5205d

Gareth - so pleased that you have been able to take him on, and that he has found a good home.  Ginger cats are, to my way of thinking, particularly gorgeous, and very special.

Nina Battleday ● 5205d

Thanks Nina, and for all your advice too! He is a very handsome cat !

Gareth Sinclair ● 5205d

Just release loads of dogs. that'd solve the problem. dogs always solve the problem. problem

Harry Farnworth ● 5204d

Let cats roam free! Our's catches mainly mice or the occasional rat, which are the small mammals out at night. I don't think they go climbing into nests. For birds they rely on young who fall or haven't got the hang of flying, but that is in the daytime as birds sleep at night.

Pete Grist ● 5203d