Feral Cat ?
 

Twice in the past week, a dark colored animal has come up to the door of our lanai and our 2 (indoor) cats have been terrified and VERY aggressive. We live in the Killington Loop area and were wondering if it is a local cat that has been let out, a feral cat in the vicinity or some other small animal. If anyone knows anything , we'd love to solve this mystery...Thanks

Anne
(and TC & Charlie, too !)

There are many feral cats in The Villages, so that would be my guess.

A very fat, multi-colored, pregnant? cat spent last night in my garage in Lynnhaven. Haven't had a problem with feral cats in a while. Last time I took matters into my own hand and I don't mean harming the critter in any way.

If this is your cat, please let the poor thing sleep in your house.

Exactly how did you take matters into your own hand?

I said the cat wasn't harmed. It was relocated by the county.

Relocated by the county? The pound will be putting that cat down - and the unborn litter - real soon. Feel good about that? Don't bother to reply.

And you would have done what?

Cat owners, don't let your cat out to run loose. Buggy...that's your reply.

There is a black cat that runs around. We think someone dumped him/her. The first time we saw it, it looked well fed and healthy. My husband tried to pet it the other night and it was all scabby and dirty. It appears to want in and then runs away. We have neighbors that will take it if we can catch it. I feel sorry for the poor thing. Anyway that may be what is making your cats crazy, ours gets nutty every time the black cat comes around. We live on Dalkeith just at the end of killington loop by the pond.

Please don't let your cats out. Sadly, there are feral cats all over TV, living on golf courses and in parking lots. They are no match for coyotes.

You can buy a Havahart trap on Amazon.com that uses food to spring the door shut. They go for about $45.

That's the kind of trap Sumter county uses.

Many counties in Florida have a TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) program designed to comply with Florida law and regulate the feral cat population more humanely.

Abandonment laws such as FL. Statute 828.13, state "Any person who willingly abandons an animal and allows it to suffer injury or malnutrition is guilty of a 1st degree misdemeanor and may be fined up to $5000 in addition to imprisonment.

TNR programs are in Gainesville, Orlando, Seminole county and Tampa, in this area.

Most counties, such as Sumter, have leash laws that apply to all domestic animals allowed in the home. Sumter Code 4-10 states the animal must be confined on the owners propery at all times or under control or on a leash when off the owners property, otherwise a citation will be issued for the animal running free.

Our Villages Deed Restrictions state "when not within the confines of the home, shall be restrained by a leash.":spoken:

That sounds like eremite06's reply.


.

Feral Cats
 

There is a big difference between a feral cat and a domesticated cat that has been let outside, by the way. If it truly is feral it will probably run when you approach, though you may be able to lure it with food.

Either way, a loose cat will kill hundreds of birds. They are natural predators.

The Sumter County leash laws apply to dogs-not cats. Quoting from sumtercountyfl.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID-the Sumter County, FL - Official Website
"1. What are the leash laws in Sumter County?
County Code 4-10 states that all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property."

Something to note, also, is that not ALL Village Deed Restrictions make any notation regarding leashing of pets.

Come on.....common sense dictates this applies to all pets even though cats are not specified. If you had a pet lion, would it be okay to let it run loose?

Also, county leash laws superceed any deed restrictions since the village lies within a county.

If the Sumter County law applied to cats, it would state so specifically. Laws are not written to be ambiguous. Marion County's law specifically states dogs and cats.
And, no, I personally do not believe an owner should allow its cat to roam freely, but I do wish people would stop spreading erroneous information.
(p.s. referring to "common sense" makes no sense and implies a very negative conotation regarding someone else's ideas and opinions-I'm sure you did not mean to be that rude.)

See thread on "Barking Dog." Cats are a nuisance and interfere with Quiet Enjoyment of your property.

I'm glad Marion mentions cats.

The fact remains, whether you consider it erroneous info or not, someone other than the owner of the animal, should not have to put up with it doing its business on your property, digging up your flower beds, seeking shelter in your garage and knocking things off shelving.

Follow the Golden Rule and it will come to light for you.

And yes, this was not meant to be rude.

Sounds like you've not had very good experience with cats. So I can see your point of view about leashing animals.

I am very allergic to cats and frankly, don't particularly like them. I think anyone who wants to have a pet cat should be permitted to have one, if your covenances permit it. I assume that means the pet owner will be responsible for the pet cat and take care of the pet cat, and keep the cat at their own home. When they are running loose in my yard and elsewhere, no one is taking care of them.
I also think I should be allowed to not have a cat around if I prefer not to, in my yard and home.
Please don't suggest what I should do or not do to a wild, feral, or loose cat should he be in my yard or my garage. I don't know how to tell the difference between a pet and a feral cat, and I don't want either one. Part of taking care of a pet cat is spaying them, so a large possibly pregnant cat does not have a responsible owner. There is more to cat ownership than feeding it. Keep your cats in the house and this problem ceases to exist.

:agree:

Is it the cat's fault that they have been abandoned? If it was in someone's garage it was probably looking for a safe warm place. I don't understand why some people don't like animals. God's creatures.
TNR is the best thing to control feral cat populations. Plus not letting ignorant people adopt pets unless they spay or neuter. Wish there was a enforceable law.

:thumbup:
We have taken in a few feral cats, taken them to the vet, got them healthy/fixed and found good homes for them. Although wild at first, they all eventually became loving good family pets. We often still hear from the owners. All animals stray or not are usually just looking for something to eat and a safe place. Right outside your door it life and death in a search for food every single day. I too just don't understand people who hate animals especially ones at risk.

I don't hate animals or kids. Just don't want any more.

Do your neighbors still want to adopt the black cat?
 

I have been feeding a small black male cat for the last 7 nights. He is about a year or so old - very thin, tiny paws, tiny muzzle. So small that at first I thought he was a female or a kitten, but he is full grown. He is very hungry but also wants to be petted and wants to play. He lets me pick him up without biting or clawing, but is scared and struggles to get back down. If your neighbors still want a cat, I would be glad to pay for him to be neutered and get his shots. It would be best if he could get accustomed to a new home first, I think, rather than taken from the vet directly to a strange home. However, I would be glad to deposit the money with a vet so they would know it was paid for when he was used to his new owners. I would adopt him but I already have 3 cats, including 2 rescues, and this house is just not big enough for another cat. My neighbors say they have seen him around for weeks, so he could be the same cat you found. We live in Bonita just north of 466A. My phone is 352-750-1499. Thank you! Suuzen Anderson