rspca and feral cats.

[teabag_46]

Just rang the rspca to ask them to remove some feral cats from my sister in laws shed. I quite clearly explained to them that these cats are causkng a health and safety problem; the kids can't play in the garden because the cats hiss and threaten them, sister in law can't leave doors or windows open because the cats get in the house, and have taken food. The rspca refused to do anything because quote - cats have the right to roam - unquote.
I asked about my sister in laws right to not have feral animals on/in her property, and they couldn't care less.

I am prepared to deal with these animals, but need to know what I can do legally.

My licence has the usual blurb about protecting animals/crops/people, and is open, so shooting may be an option.
Anybody have any sensible advice?

Thanks.

 

[Heather Hugger]

I think this is a chat to BASC job.

You could try and get a cat cage trap from RSPCA and remove them youself if BASC say you cant shoot them.

 

[redlab]

Cage trap, gloves and 're-home' them on one of your permissions.............

 

[s.stimson]

Having found a neigbours cat on our patio in the last stages of dieing after someone decided to help it along the way with antifreeze I would personally suggest that you drop ideas like that.

 

[David TS]

What is it with idiots on internet forums that suggest doing horrible things to cats, that just brings all shooters into disrespect?

 

[JAYB]

I have removed some posts that were not in the best of taste, so no more please people.

John

 

[Apache]

There is nothing stopping you legally shooting feral cats. Poisoning is just cruel.

As your vet - they may have a cat trap you can borrow.

 

[Buchan]

Cat's Protection might be more helpful.

CATS PROTECTION - HULL & DISTRICT
Registered Charity no: 203644
All areas of Hull, Holderness and Hornsea covered.
Hull and District Cats Protection rehome stray and abandoned cats, offer neutering advice and support and education in all areas of cat care.
Lost & Found Register: To report a lost or found cat, call: 01482 375898
Neutering Assistance: Tel: 01482 657650
Adoption & General Enquiries - Tel: 01482 790284
E-mail: helpline@cats.org.uk
Web site: www.cats.org.uk/hull
National CP Helpline: 03000 12 12 12

or

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]CAT WELFARE
Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Supporting stray and feral cats at site by providing food and shelter, bringing into care feral kittens in need of socialising and rehoming and relocating adults wherever possible if they are at risk. Educating and encouraging neutering of domestic cats to prevent and reduce the problem of feral kittens being born in the first place by targeting the problem at source. The charity’s long term aim is to purchase land for a permanent refuge for feral cats.
Volunteers Needed: Feral Cat Welfare would be glad to hear from anyone who can assist them with trapping feral cats, and fundraising.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Cats Seeking Homes
Please visit Feral Cat Welfare's »» Cat Chat Rehoming Page[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]Cats Seeking Homes:Some of the cats seeking homes appear on their website, linked below.
Postal Address: PO Box 293, LEEDS LS16 0ER.
Tel: 07876 212 518
Email: adelcats@aol.com
Web site: www.feralcatwelfare.org.uk[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[N.F.W.M]

Don't poison them, catch them, fox traps work well, then take them to your local RSPCA or Blue Cross hospital and ask them to take them in. In most cases they will oblige. A small donation for the future well being of the cat usually helps. On one occasion the organisation were quite rude and refused to take the cats, sadly the cats then escaped from my boxes in their carpark.

 

[bewsher500]

your problem is proving they are feral!
someone's moody moggy is anothers loved pet!

in a rural environment its a lot easier
Urban I would suggest the usual fox trap (we caught some on the farm) and contact the charities.
You may find that transporting and releasing is just as illegal as it it with urban foxes

 

[Wrens Mews]

In a residential area you would be hard pushed to state beyond all reasonable doubt that they were feral - shoot them and end up facing a charge of criminal damage and firearms offences.

 

[teabag_46]

Thanks for the advice. I rang BASC, their advice is to ask around before doing anything, to ensure the cats are not actually somebodys pets. This is because I could be prosecuted for theft/destruction of private property, unless they really are feral. Once I have made thae effort to do that, they suggest trying to scare them away, next step would be trapping, and only if all of the above fail, should I then even consider shooting them. All of the above was advice given to protect MYSELF from potential criminal charges (cruelty/theft etc.) arising from this problem.
It more or less boils down the same steps that should be taken for protecting crops from pigeons!

 

[2130martin]

If you were closer I would let your sister look after my two springers and border for a weekend,that would solve it,no feral cats in my neighbourhood,no cats at all actually,there all "indoors cats"!!!

 

[Wrens Mews]

The offence is "Criminal Damage" - trust me.

Simply cannot see how they could even suggest "theft" - destruction is not an offence - the offence would be criminal damage.

 

[teabag_46]

'Destruction' may have been my fault, paraphrasing a verbal communication, and theft might occur if I were to 'relocate' the animals without permission from any lawful owner.

 

[Wingy]

The offence is "Criminal Damage" - trust me.

+1 the offence is criminal damage
Wingy

 

[bobthedug]

Graham,

If you believe that its perfectly legal and done all the time, why use an air rifle which could be debated is not suitable for the job.
And I'm speaking as a cat owner who has twice in the past taken pet cats to the vets due to having been shot by an airgun!

Bob

 

[bambislayer]

Give Cat Protection a call.

Do not do the muppet and dispatch job on them!

 

[Jimbo 30 06]

GrahamB may i suggest that you delete you post as statements like the above do not do the world of shooting any favours.

Jimbo

 

[Schiehallion]

Why would any educated and enlightened shooting man wish to own a cat....unless he has a farm or continuous rodent pest problems?????
After the havoc they wreak on our struggling songbird populations I would venture to say it was irresponsible.
Nothing unlawful about dispatching trapped feral cats. Airgun safer than a rimfire at close range and perfectly up to the job at 6".