renters questions on animal control and mail delivery
 

I am renting a home in the town of Woodbury in Phillips villas(from Down Home Property Mgmt, by the way do not, repeat, do not rent from this company, they are a horror show). Just rented through **** and the owner and it was a pleasure, moved to new location and dealing with this company is a horror. First issue, a cat has taken up residence in the backyard and whines and cries all night long, have not had a good nights sleep since here. The company said they could do nothing. We purposely rented a pet free house as me and my wife are both allergic to cats. Companies answer, well its not in the house so its not their problem, i thought yard was part of house. Animal control said they could capture it, spay and neuter it, then release it back to same location. What is the point. Anyone have any suggestions? I am afraid if i feed it it will never leave but i also dont want it to starve. Second, mail. First place i rented i had access to mailbox at Phillips station. This place(down home property) just informed me today after a week here i have no mail box. Problem is i have had something delivered and USPS said they put it in mailbox. I have no mailbox, the company, Down Home, suggested i wait outside Phillips all day until i see a postal carrier. Calling the post office is useless as all you get is automation that does not answer needed questions. Any suggestions, serious ones, on what to do about cat, and how i can find out how to actually pick up my delivered mail would be appreciated. First month through **** and direct involvement of owner we had a great stay, second month here, mostly due to Down Home Property mgmt, do not use them. it has been one headache after another. Really enjoying the Villages overall but this company is ruining it, there were more issues than these two but these are just the most current two. Sorry for ranting but this is frustrating.

I don't know about the legality, but you could buy a cat trap and release the cat far away, or take it to the Humane Society.

It shouldn't be too difficult to locate the mail person. Ask someone at the mail station what time they usually arrive, or leave a note on the mail station door.

The cat may be someone's lost pet. Take a photo of it and post on here along with the neighborhood area to see if anyone recognizes it. As far as the mail, I too, have had issues. Go directly to the post office and talk with the post master at your location. That's how I finally got my issues resolved.

And, please don't let the kitty starve or go thirsty. Sounds like it's not leaving so putting out some water and food may stop it from crying at night. It's probably lost or abandoned. I grew up on a farm so I know that a cat will eat pretty much any leftovers, just don't give it chicken bones. Our cats used to also love cooked potatoes and we'd boil potatoes for them, let them cool and give them as a treat for the cats. They'd go after those even before any meat. Put some gravy on the potatoes and that cat most definitely won't ever leave your house! You could probably also take it to a local "no kill" pet adoption facility or they may even come get it. There was one in Seminole Cty where I'm from, but I'm not familiar with this area as I'm also new here. May be one in Ocala or Leesburg.

The cat might belong to a neighbor and just likes your yard better, if there is nothing there for it to eat or drink it will leave and I doubt there would be anything any management company would do about it except call animal control which you don't seem to want done. As far as the mail, take a look at your Hometown contract and see what it states in there, sometimes on short term rentals the owners don't want their mail forwarded, could be the case there. I don't like everything Hometown does but they've been here for a long time and will most likely continue to be active for years to come. Above advice regarding getting your mail is good, ask a neighbor about what time the carrier delivered the mail and then go down and talk to her or him to resolve your problem.

If all you want to do is train the cat to leave borrow a leaf blower or dust blower. You don’t even have to come too close to the cat the air and sound are very objectionable to them. Or if you have a spritzer, water or very diluted cologne nothing that could hurt kitty’s eyes. Wonderful training devices. I used them when a Tom cat kept beating up my cat. And if you want kitty to come instead of leave, Temptations treats - salmon is our guest cat’s favorite.

Oh good grief! Trap the cat...call animal control. It really is that simple. Sheesh! No need for the overly dramatic to reply. They are not an endangered species.

Sometimes when things seem bad we have little tolerance and all seems bad. As far as the cat the old line holds feed a cat and you will have it forever. If the cat looks t be in good shape it is likely someones pet. The Villages radio show will put it out on the air someone is likely looking for it.

As far as your package. I assume you know you got it by a tracker number. There is a phone number for the post office. Call them, you may need patience to get a HUMAN.
Relax-I've found them to be helpful.

I have done the same thing. When, frustrated STOP. There was that best seller book title was Don't Sweat The Small Stuff-In end it is all small stuff.

Re: cat an no kill shelter.
Many years ago, not in florida, we had a cat give birth in our woodpile. I called the ASPCA
and they told me if, I brought them in they would euthanize them. I called a no kill shelter, they wanted ME to pay $85 for the mother and I think it was $25 for each kitten. The mother being a wild cat would not allow me anywhere near them. Looked like 6-7 little fur balls. Some quick math $300 for a problem caused NOT BY ME . Oh and they insisted something like I should bring them into my home for a week. Creative they assumed if I brought them into my home I would be stuck with them.

Wow!! Someone is having a bad day...must be the heat!

The best thing to do about the cat is take a photo and call or get on the Facebook page of Lost Pets of The Villages. They will know if someone is missing a cat and can check for a microchip if the cat can be approached. Or borrow a Have-a-heart trap and trap it, then call Kathy Bork of Lost Pets of The Villages. Also, post the picture on the Next Door forum.

Yes, that reminds me, every now and then you read someone’s heart broken plea to help find their lost cat, here on the forum. You may be doing someone an appreciated favor.

I can't speak on the mailbox situation, it doesn't seem like the information is being accurately communicated.

But as far as the cat goes, it's not the property manager's responsibility to know if there's a stray cat that enjoys the back yard. On this specific matter, your complaint against them is 100% not valid, it's not anything they can "do" anything about.

I would just open the gate and send the cat packing so it can be found but it’s owner. As for the mail, put a note up as others have said.

turn on the irrigation in the back yard when the cat shows up

Are you kidding? There are tons of feral cats around here. Do NOT feed these cats.

I'll bet you also have many problems at your own home, just one after the other.

Ok, the cat could be lost - or it could belong to someone who thinks it is ‘ok’ to let their cat out to roam every night. I will never, as long as I live, understand people like this. Never. Would you leave a stack of $100 bills on your front porch, on your side walk —— and go to bed? Why do you let your cat out - unsupervised? Sorry, I didn’t mean to rant —— I am just one who believes animals are so so valuable - they deserve to be cared for and kept safe at ALL times. I would *not* feed the cat (yes, provide water). I would find and contact a local cat rescue. They will care for the cat and know how to best find the owner. (Try: http://thecatprotectionsociety.org )

Ok - Re: renting. I lived here for a month in a rental - before my purchase. I went thru The Villages Property Management. It was a good experience for me. I was not allowed to use the mail box. I totally, totally understand - with the mail forwarding issues from each renter spending just a short period of time there— what a mess! I went to the nearest UPS store and rented a mailbox. Very reasonable price & had my mail temporarily forwarded there.

It is a feral cat probably they are in some areas of the Villages . Your mail I would assume is delivered to the postal station for the Phillips village, not sure though Phillips is kinda out there lol

Cat
 

Most probably the previous renters fed it. Now it is looking for next meal

Mail service
 

I am a FL resident but only live in FL part of the year. When I'm not In FL my mail is forward to my northern address. I do rent out my home when I am not their. If someone would use my address their mail COULD be forward to my northern address by mistake. So anyone renting my home would not have mail service that they could be sure of receiving their mail. This could possibly be the case in the house you are renting.

Our very good neighbor Marion lost her cat a couple days ago. She lives in Woodbury just over the "wall".
I have messaged her. Her cat is nuetered and declawed about 10 years old and never been outside before.

The mgmt co is not responsible for stray cats.
If you feed cats they will not go away.

Ok. They just rent a house, having trouble with mail, want nothing to do with a cat and now are stuck with one. I say pick it up n drop it at the shelter. I dont think she should be obligated to post pics around the neighborhood, feed it etc. No, Im not a cat hater or lover so hold onto the biting remarks.

We love Down Home Property Management! We have had a great relationship for 8 years and have nothing but good things to say about them. While you have a frustrating problem with a cat, don't take it out on them.

I get that you don’t want a cat. Please let animal control catch it (cage within 24 hours, possibly in your yard), it will get spayed/neutered, shots & released. You don’t have to feed it, maybe put fresh water out frequently for a few days so the cat can heal & have a chance to hunt for food. Maybe ask around your block if anyone is interested in feeding a feral cat. The cat will move on.
Re: mailbox. You need to physically visit the closest Post Office & give your address. Possibly take a picture of the group mailboxes your neighborhood uses. The Post Office probably owns the mailboxes, so unfortunately you have to pay to have the lock changed($30 or so) and you’ll get 3 keys. It may take a little while(2 weeks), so you can probably pickup your mail at whichever Post Office they direct you to. Be sure to take your lease and/or a utility bill with your name & address where you rent to prove that is your address. I know it’s frustrating. If you are blessed with good health, this is just a bump in the road. Take a walk & enjoy yourself.

Post photos on Angie Fox’s FB page Lost Pets of The Villages. Check with neighbors to see if it’s their cat. Get animal control to trap the cat. Hold the rental agency and owner liable. Most landlords in The Villages want to see their guests have a great stay. Be proactive on you own behalf. Put a motion activated sprinkler on a hose in the back yard. Kitty will get the message after a few wet visits.

We used Down Home properties several times until we purchased a home here and thought they were very good. When we came down for several months we rented a post office box so we could get our mail and have packages delivered, so there is a solution to some of your issues.

Call Marion County animal shelter for names and numbers of cat rescue organizations. Also when they arrive be kind and give them a donation. All these groups are non profit and volunteers. Only way to decrease feral cats is to trap and neuter.

Report the rental company to better business bureau. Or if they are licensed to the organization who licensed them. Good luck on both issues.

Please put a pic of the cat on here and notify Lost pets of TV who will get in touch with the cat group. Someone might be looking for the cat, and if not they will trap it for you.

Regarding the mail, it takes awhile for forwarding. The mail folks are typically there early in the morning and again in the afternoon but if you don’t want to wait on them go directly to the post office to voice your concerns and have them track down the lost item. Good luck.

According to the OP, the USPS said they put the package in the mailbox. So, it is probably sitting in a mailbox or locker for the address where the OP is renting. So, you just need to ask the postal station worker to give you the package.

Cat
 

We have people in TV that helps trap cats and check for owner or could be lost. Take picture put on
Here. Kathy Bork in charge of lost animals of TV or Angie Fox in charge of Sumter lost animals can help trap cat. Look them up here or Facebook. Many cats are missing from owners.

He said they were allergic to cats, so picking it up won't work. Plus, not all cats are pick-uppable.

Unfortunately for you I don't think the property manager can do anything about a cat outside. I sympathize with you however think of all the calls they get regarding problems outside of a home they rented? Their responsibility is for the inside of the home. That doesn't help but talk to anyone that answers phones for customer complaints and the issues outside the home are endless. As for the mail carrier I would try and find out about the time they arrive or at least put a note on the door to call you and briefly explain the issue. With cell phones today I'm sure that's not an issue as it is not traced to an address. Good luck!

If you’ve fed the cat so “it doesn’t starve” it’s your problem. I’d suggest a pellet gun to resolve the issue.

Good grief, some owner could be desperately looking for their cat. Take a picture of the cat and text it to Kathy Bork, she's the head of Lost Pets of The Villages. Her number is.... 567-277-0945. Please.

IMO should of Rented from private home owner, renting from company only adds layer of problems and fees. The stray cat probably made it way through the empty lot next door from down the street or across 42. Somebody must of feed it why it’s hanging around. I doubt it hungry due to all the native birds it’s been eating running free.

Have to agree on this one!

Use a small pellet gun to shoot the cat. Probably a feral cat. Then dump it in the pond to feed a gator.

Give me a break...
 

Things are tough all over.

I am sure you are kidding. If not, shame on you.