We just closed on a 150 space park that has been severly neglected by the previous owner. On my last trip out there, I noticed no less than 30-40 cats roaming the streets. The manager also said there was a huge feral cat problem. Has anyone dealt with tackling a situation like this? Weve dealt with getting rid of 3-4 cats in a park but never this quantity.
Traps are probably best solution. If you have local farmers sometime they’re happy to take them. If not should be able to give to animal control at a cost.
Check with your city or county. The park I just bought has the same issue. The county provides free trap, neuter and release services. Where I live, they provide the service but at a cost.
It’s very common. Trap neuter and release is one option we’ve tried. Also make sure all trash is securely in bins, etc. Mowing, landscaping, etc, reduces places for the rodents to hide which is what the cats are living on. Secure skirting, etc so cats can’t live there.
But it’s always a battle. You can also just live with it. IMO dogs are a bigger problem.
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First step is to include in your community rules that feeding of feral cats is not allowed. This will need to be enforced through eviction if necessary. This will be the biggest move toward getting rid of the cats. They are present because some kind hearted residents are feeding them.
Second feral cats must be considered the same as any wild animal in the community.
Trap and dispose of however you see fit.
If the community is in a large enough forested area you might consider bringing in a pair of foxes to control the cat population. Once the cats are gone the foxes can be trapped and relocated.
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That sounds like an awful idea. Have you considered the liability of doing that?
The only possible danger would be from rabies. The feral cats would be more of a danger in that regard than a couple of foxes.
Foxes, wolves, bears and fishers keep feral cats out of my community.
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There is one specific park in Portland that worked with a TNR Organization that came in and not only TNRd the feral adults that weren’t adoptable, stopping the breeding, but they were able to rescue all the kittens and transfer into other rescue organizations. They were also able to rescue tame adults that had been left behind when people had passed or been moved into an assisted living facility.
What started out as well over 300 cats (including kittens) has now ended up at around 50-70 throughout the park, all sterilized and vaccinated. Many tamed up and were unofficially adopted by some of the residents.
Whenever new cats appear, or a new cat appears with kittens, the nonprofit is contacted again, and they come out and help. They continue to touch base with the residents, educating them on feeding guidelines to prevent rodents and other pests, and the folks adore the cats now. There is no howling, mating, fighting, dead kittens, etc. The environment is so much calmer and smells much better as well. It’s really a win win.
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It is in our rules and regulations that cats are never to be brought into the park nor fed outdoors. We trap if we have an issue. We do have a few foxes in the area and believe it does help too.