The Cat Infestation
The last couple of days are quickly becoming the straws that break the camels backs. It all began yesterday morning at 6:30am when I was awoken by Socko in tears. As she drove off to work she saw one of the neighbours kittens laying prostrate on the road, it was clearly deceased. Socko has a very soft heart for animals and cries whenever she sees one suffering or deceased, for example the show Meerkat Manor has been banned from this house due to the distress it caused Socko when one of the meerkats got bitten by a snake. Anyway, Socko cried all the way to work and left me with the task of clearing the deceased kitten from the street, else it would still be there.
Anyways, I went back to sleep and then started work before I decided to carry out the undesirable task. At 10:30am I collected my shovel and several garbage bags and managed to get the carcass into the bags. From inspection of the body it was the kitten that had foolishly buried itself in the cardboard stack a few days ago. Also, I found that there were no visible signs of the animal death being the result of meeting a car tyre. It was also incredibly bloated and stiff. Anyways, the next task was to dispose of the body, which I have since done.
Late last night another local resident asked my Mum if we knew who owned the kittens as they had nearly run one over. We advised her who it was and the situation. She will be ringing the RSPCA to report concern over the situation. Finally, someone else with the gumption to try and take action.
This morning on my way to the letterbox I looked in the cardboard filled trailer (to be emptied tomorrow) and found 3 felines in it sunbaking. They ranged from a real little kitten to a cat perhaps 12 months old. When I bashed the trailer to move them along the elder cat was immediately on the move, however stopped and watched me to see if I would give up. The intermediate kitten was looking for an escape and the tiny kitten had no idea what to do. After moving to get the eldest feline to move on the intermediate kitten leapt out the side. The tiny one just looked at me. After chasing the eldest pest down the fence line and out of the yard I returned to the trailer where the kitten was three quarters out of the trailer. I watched it finally leave the yard and have come in.
Across yesterday I also had further discussions with the RSPCA about CATWatch and their take on it is:
I have discussed this issue with our scientific staff and they have advised that:
1. RSPCA cannot comment on the effectiveness of this device as we are not familiar with the product.
2. RSPCA can see no obvious animal welfare problems with this device
3. If you do obtain this device, please position it so as not to interfere with the cats’ normal territory
4. You should consider carefully the effect this may have on any pets you own
5. and finally, if you do obtain this device, could you please advise this office:
* as to the effectiveness of this product
* if you experience any difficulties with it
* if you observe any animal welfare issues connected with the use of this product,
so that we can update our information data base accordingly.
I have also heard back from the distributor fauNature Pty Ltd with the following results.
Question - Is the CatWATCH device will effective against deaf cats?
Answer - Ultrasonic means the unit emits an alarm that is above our hearing range, however cats can hear it and indeed the unit relies on this fact to work. Deaf cats will not hear the alarm and therefore will not be affected by it. Fortunately the number of deaf cats within the cat population that are deaf is tiny - a significant percentage of pure white cats are deaf, but other than that there is no consistent characteristic that can indicate deafness.Question - What is the average expected battery life with a regular alkaline battery?
Answer - Battery life expectancy - only the long life alkaline batteries can be used and the average life is three (3) months, slightly less in high traffic areas and slightly longer in low traffic areas. Rechargeable batteries very quickly develop a memory and for some reason do not work, while cheap batteries are exhausted too quickly.Question - Is there a limit to the number of devices per mains adapter?
Answer - Number of Units per adaptor - given the units operate on 12vlt (using electricity) and draw very little energy in principle you are probably talking minimal effect. The most we are aware of having been lined up in series is 3, but if you were thinking of more than that we are happy to look into it.
I have since discussed with Socko and we are still deciding on our course of action. I really do like to look of CatWATCH, but with out impending move we may not need a device soon. I may still buy one of these and use a spray on the fences and in the backyard as per the earlier RSPCA communications. I really want to keep the feline infestations out of the yard, but cost is a factor.
In the mean time I shall continue to move the “skanks” and kittens on by whatever means is necessary. 1 x Super Soaker soon to be loaded with Citronella Oil/Water mix.
Popularity: 6% [?]
