Looking for a fearless cat.......
Discussion
Ok, I'll admit it right off, we have a rat problem. 
I'm sorry, I've been in denial, but there it is.
I (and the family) live in an old converted farm barn. Have a few neighbours, and lots of outbuildings, and I guess with no natural predators, the rats have become a bit of a worry. I found 2 small ones, live and healthy in the bin the other day.
Even worse, after laying poison down, we found a bloody monster on the lawn. Honestly it was the size of a small pony. I couldn't lift it with a shovel, and needed a JCB to cart it away.
So, the solution in my mind is to get a cat. A fearless wild hungry cat, with a large appetite for rats. In fact 3 or 4 of the same would I think be fine.
I was thinking to allow them to roam free, and feed them in a particular place and time every day, or maybe less (so they stay hungry). Sounds a bit savage, but that's what I want the cats to be - I don't want 'pet' cats. I want essentially stray cats who live here.
So,
1) Any issues about getting them to 'home' here?
2) What age should they be?
3) Anyone got some?
4) SE Wales, near Usk, and would be willing to collect (not sure how mind).
You may have guessed, I'm not really a cat person, but needs must I suspect.
Many Thanks
I'm sorry, I've been in denial, but there it is.I (and the family) live in an old converted farm barn. Have a few neighbours, and lots of outbuildings, and I guess with no natural predators, the rats have become a bit of a worry. I found 2 small ones, live and healthy in the bin the other day.
Even worse, after laying poison down, we found a bloody monster on the lawn. Honestly it was the size of a small pony. I couldn't lift it with a shovel, and needed a JCB to cart it away.
So, the solution in my mind is to get a cat. A fearless wild hungry cat, with a large appetite for rats. In fact 3 or 4 of the same would I think be fine.
I was thinking to allow them to roam free, and feed them in a particular place and time every day, or maybe less (so they stay hungry). Sounds a bit savage, but that's what I want the cats to be - I don't want 'pet' cats. I want essentially stray cats who live here.
So,
1) Any issues about getting them to 'home' here?
2) What age should they be?
3) Anyone got some?
4) SE Wales, near Usk, and would be willing to collect (not sure how mind).
You may have guessed, I'm not really a cat person, but needs must I suspect.
Many Thanks
Thanks for the replies.
I checked the local cat sanctuary web site, and they are actually saying they have many semi feral cats looking for a home on a farm / rural area. (Tick).
I wasn't looking for a 'breed' I think a mixed race will be cheaper and tougher (healthier), and due to my skimping nature, would not feel comfortable paying more than a few quid for a cat. (If that)
Many Thanks for the suggestions. I have a quiet day tomorrow, so I shall make further enquiries at said cats home.
If I knew how to add photo's I'd put them up.
I suspect our very sweet natured lab is in for a bit of a shock......
BTW what's the best (cheep) way to feed them? I don't have a glamorous enough life style to feed them a TV diet.
Quite looking forward to selecting the 3 most evil cats in the sanctuary ....
I checked the local cat sanctuary web site, and they are actually saying they have many semi feral cats looking for a home on a farm / rural area. (Tick).
I wasn't looking for a 'breed' I think a mixed race will be cheaper and tougher (healthier), and due to my skimping nature, would not feel comfortable paying more than a few quid for a cat. (If that)
Many Thanks for the suggestions. I have a quiet day tomorrow, so I shall make further enquiries at said cats home.
If I knew how to add photo's I'd put them up.
I suspect our very sweet natured lab is in for a bit of a shock......
BTW what's the best (cheep) way to feed them? I don't have a glamorous enough life style to feed them a TV diet.
Quite looking forward to selecting the 3 most evil cats in the sanctuary ....
Well, I had the shock of my life today.
As suggested (thanks all), I phoned the local RSPCA cats home.
Me: I wonder if you have 2 or 3 semi feral cats, I live on a farm, and need a strong aggressive animal.
Her: Do you want any colour? / breed / age / sex / hair length / eye colour / size / length of tail / ear size etc etc (OK I may have made some of these up)
Me No : No NO: NO: NO: NO: ............ etc.
Her: Well, I could ask someone to call back in 72 Hours.
Me OK.
Her: and then we will ask the rehome people to come out and inspect your premises to see if you are a suitable person to own cats.
Me: thinks, funny no-one asked us that when we had the kids.... OK.
Her: We have some reservations that the cats will not mix with the children / dog / other cats, flowers, not like the look of the lawn or something. And has anyone explained the costs.
Me No.
Her: For a basic stray, we charge £50, neutered, and chipped, and I'm afraid we don't offer any multi buy discounts.
Me: Cough, splutter, sharp gasp for life giving air.
Is it me or the RSPCA that has missed the point? I understand I must not to be cruel to them, must feed them, and give them a nice shed to sleep in if they chose. But they are wildish animals, and their alternative is going to be pretty dodgy. Kept for a month, and then put down (? Is this still the case) rather than a fighting chance in a rural environment. I'm sure there will be (cat) casualties, but that's always going to be an inevitable risk of a wild life, and exactly what cats have always been breed for / expected / maybe even preferred (?)
So, a bit gobsmacked after this conversation to be honest, and I don't hold out too much hope. Certainly £50 a cat is a deal breaker. I don't want the cat chipped or neutered, and ironically, surely this is actually depriving stray cats of a perfectly good, though slightly wild, home. Just seems so counter productive, and somehow politically correct.
Grrrr.
Going to try the vets next, you never know.......
As suggested (thanks all), I phoned the local RSPCA cats home.
Me: I wonder if you have 2 or 3 semi feral cats, I live on a farm, and need a strong aggressive animal.
Her: Do you want any colour? / breed / age / sex / hair length / eye colour / size / length of tail / ear size etc etc (OK I may have made some of these up)
Me No : No NO: NO: NO: NO: ............ etc.
Her: Well, I could ask someone to call back in 72 Hours.
Me OK.
Her: and then we will ask the rehome people to come out and inspect your premises to see if you are a suitable person to own cats.
Me: thinks, funny no-one asked us that when we had the kids.... OK.
Her: We have some reservations that the cats will not mix with the children / dog / other cats, flowers, not like the look of the lawn or something. And has anyone explained the costs.
Me No.
Her: For a basic stray, we charge £50, neutered, and chipped, and I'm afraid we don't offer any multi buy discounts.
Me: Cough, splutter, sharp gasp for life giving air.
Is it me or the RSPCA that has missed the point? I understand I must not to be cruel to them, must feed them, and give them a nice shed to sleep in if they chose. But they are wildish animals, and their alternative is going to be pretty dodgy. Kept for a month, and then put down (? Is this still the case) rather than a fighting chance in a rural environment. I'm sure there will be (cat) casualties, but that's always going to be an inevitable risk of a wild life, and exactly what cats have always been breed for / expected / maybe even preferred (?)
So, a bit gobsmacked after this conversation to be honest, and I don't hold out too much hope. Certainly £50 a cat is a deal breaker. I don't want the cat chipped or neutered, and ironically, surely this is actually depriving stray cats of a perfectly good, though slightly wild, home. Just seems so counter productive, and somehow politically correct.
Grrrr.
Going to try the vets next, you never know.......
But to be fair, while I thought we had a rat problem, it pales into insignificance compared to that dirty heaving pile of s
t. Even the terriers were struggling at some points.
I think the terriers are exactly the right thing for that job - TBH it looks a lot of fun, in a skin crawly type of way.
I'm hoping that a few cats will balance the rats, rather than need human involvement in a one off special. Maintenance rather than project if you will.
Mind you, I'd be happy to pay £50 for one of those terriers - they are literally, the Dogs.
t. Even the terriers were struggling at some points.I think the terriers are exactly the right thing for that job - TBH it looks a lot of fun, in a skin crawly type of way.
I'm hoping that a few cats will balance the rats, rather than need human involvement in a one off special. Maintenance rather than project if you will.
Mind you, I'd be happy to pay £50 for one of those terriers - they are literally, the Dogs.
speechless!
ali_kat said:
Because the Charity has invested money into the cat, of course they'll want a donation, otherwise they won't be able to help other cats
The UK has too many cats running wild, they won't let you have them unneutered
Don't invest in the cat then, and just let me have it. The UK has too many cats running wild, they won't let you have them unneutered
I tend to agree with double6, it looks like it going to be a right faff jumping through the hoops, leave alone the money. I'd be OK with £50 for 3, I'm not entirely unforthcoming, but really that's as far as my charity stretches.
I'd prefer to get a rescue cat if I can, as it seems more humane, but the charity has to recognise this 'aint a pet we're talking about, it's a tool, and not much more than that. (Albeit subject to normal decency for any life)
I don't mean to belittle the affection many owners have for their cats here, but it's skewed to judge a 'working' cat with a pet held in high affection within a family, for which £50 would seem to be a small amount of money.
OK folks, the situation has moved on.
Phoned everyone on Google locally this afternoon. Ended up talking to someone in the Hereford area from the Cat Protection League.
Me: I'd like some cats please, not too old, not too young, and good for ratting.
Her: How many would you like?
Me 2 or 3 ideally.
Her: Yes we do those, we catch them from the local farms, by invitation, neuter them, inject them, and check them for the obvious health issues. We will then deliver them to you.
Me: (Predictably) How much.
Her: We suggest a donation, but don't charge as such. We rehouse about 500 farm cats a year, and are glad for them to go to a place where there are not hated and abused.
Now we are talking. I don't get a choice of cat, it's whatever turns up, but this is a great result.
So, I was going to donate £50 for the 3.....
If anyone is interested, you rehome them by keeping them shut up in a suitable location (Cat proof with natural light), and feed them. After a while it occurs to them this is where they live apparently, and you can let them out. To hunt well, they need to be reasonably well fed,and they will "kill for fun rather than need" quote, and in doing so kill more. This surprised me a little, so I clearly need to budget a little more in cat food.... (Howls of protest coming my way I feel)
Phoned everyone on Google locally this afternoon. Ended up talking to someone in the Hereford area from the Cat Protection League.
Me: I'd like some cats please, not too old, not too young, and good for ratting.
Her: How many would you like?
Me 2 or 3 ideally.
Her: Yes we do those, we catch them from the local farms, by invitation, neuter them, inject them, and check them for the obvious health issues. We will then deliver them to you.
Me: (Predictably) How much.
Her: We suggest a donation, but don't charge as such. We rehouse about 500 farm cats a year, and are glad for them to go to a place where there are not hated and abused.
Now we are talking. I don't get a choice of cat, it's whatever turns up, but this is a great result.
So, I was going to donate £50 for the 3.....
If anyone is interested, you rehome them by keeping them shut up in a suitable location (Cat proof with natural light), and feed them. After a while it occurs to them this is where they live apparently, and you can let them out. To hunt well, they need to be reasonably well fed,and they will "kill for fun rather than need" quote, and in doing so kill more. This surprised me a little, so I clearly need to budget a little more in cat food.... (Howls of protest coming my way I feel)
rxtx said:
If you only give them dry food ensure there's clean water available as well. Also make sure they have teeth, our rescues came with one tooth each and couldn't deal with dry.
good point - I forgot to ask the CPL for teeth. Can't imagine a toothless moggy being much of a ratter.I'll keep the post updated - surprised at the number of responses TBH. Actually looking forward to getting them now, and the kids are quite keen as well.
I did mention it to the Lab, but she just wagged her tail, and licked my hand. Ho Hum
After many weeks it looks like I have found a cat. Apparently black.
Long ongoing discussion in the kitchen over tea tonight about name. I would like to call him/her 'death'
No-one seems to think it's a good idea to go out into the back yard and call for death though
So in full Terry Pratchet mode, what about 'Mort' - Deaths apprentice. Amused me if nothing else.
Long ongoing discussion in the kitchen over tea tonight about name. I would like to call him/her 'death'
No-one seems to think it's a good idea to go out into the back yard and call for death though
So in full Terry Pratchet mode, what about 'Mort' - Deaths apprentice. Amused me if nothing else.
It's been a real nightmare finding one.
I have made close on 50 phone calls to RSPCA, CPL, you name it. My google internet history is all about cats and places to get them from.
However, in the end, it was the social network that came through.
In the pub one night (small local village type) asked the local farmer, who dug in his pocket for a phone, gave me a number. I phoned, she asked Ruth to phone back, and a few days later a text to say the cat is being neutered, treated for fleas, and vaccinated, and will be with me Wednesday. (16th) They seemed more than happy to provide a 'farm' cat, and I seemed to pass the phone interview too.
Looking forward to seeing 'Mort' now. That name makes me smile. (Kids want to call it 'pussy' - I'd prefer to call for Death)
Short answer, I'm going to the pub to see a man about a cat
I have made close on 50 phone calls to RSPCA, CPL, you name it. My google internet history is all about cats and places to get them from.
However, in the end, it was the social network that came through.
In the pub one night (small local village type) asked the local farmer, who dug in his pocket for a phone, gave me a number. I phoned, she asked Ruth to phone back, and a few days later a text to say the cat is being neutered, treated for fleas, and vaccinated, and will be with me Wednesday. (16th) They seemed more than happy to provide a 'farm' cat, and I seemed to pass the phone interview too.
Looking forward to seeing 'Mort' now.
That name makes me smile. (Kids want to call it 'pussy' - I'd prefer to call for Death)Short answer, I'm going to the pub to see a man about a cat
Caddyshack said:
Get an air rifle mag or go on a forum and say you are willing to give a "permission to shoot" and you will be inundated with hunters to come with night vision equip and they will deal with the rats. They are forever looking for places to hunt. Just pick the most professional or keenest. Many will have terriers too.
Don't really want 'strangers' around the house and barns at night. Maybe a little bit creepy.Would be happy to have a few terriers out though. Quite like the terrier idea, as per previous 'you tube' posts.
OK, so THE CAT HAS ARRIVED.
Regretfully she's hardly the sabre toothed blood hunger monster I might have envisaged. Instead she's a small pathetic scrap of moggy that is currently scared of its own shadow, and is most definitely not currently a rat death bringer.
She's being 'homed' at the moment - which seems to mean stay in the back of the box as far away from everyone as possible.
Nevertheless she is eating, drinking, and stting, so there is hope yet.
As promised, here's a pic of the pathetic little thing. (And actually I say this with quite a warm heart towards her)
Regretfully she's hardly the sabre toothed blood hunger monster I might have envisaged. Instead she's a small pathetic scrap of moggy that is currently scared of its own shadow, and is most definitely not currently a rat death bringer.
She's being 'homed' at the moment - which seems to mean stay in the back of the box as far away from everyone as possible.
Nevertheless she is eating, drinking, and s
tting, so there is hope yet.As promised, here's a pic of the pathetic little thing. (And actually I say this with quite a warm heart towards her)
To be fair I don't think she has been treated nicely - in fact quite to the contrary.
It feels bad now to call her Death, or Mort, or any other clever name - so I'm using Puss. (I know I know)
Feeding her daily with 'soothing' (I Hope) calls of pus, pusssss puss - (repeat as required). - You get the picture.
Cat rescue is not concerned in the slightest, and has been reassuring, saying this is completely normal, and the fact that she has eaten and excreted is absolutely normal and fine. (Maybe she will turn into a Sabre toothed tiger next week)
It feels bad now to call her Death, or Mort, or any other clever name - so I'm using Puss. (I know I know)
Feeding her daily with 'soothing' (I Hope) calls of pus, pusssss puss - (repeat as required). - You get the picture.
Cat rescue is not concerned in the slightest, and has been reassuring, saying this is completely normal, and the fact that she has eaten and excreted is absolutely normal and fine. (Maybe she will turn into a Sabre toothed tiger next week)
Hi all.
Puss is still really nervous - I was hoping by now she would have been gnawing at the cage bars trying to get out.
I actually texted the cat protection people yesterday to say they had sold me a cat with no legs, on the grounds that I had never seen her use them. (I'm not sure they were too pleased with that)
I stood quietly a few metres away this morning, after laying the food down. She crept out of the box, very nervously, and was very twitchy when eating,and then straight back into the sleeping box to (cower / recline / rest?) at the back
In short I think we still have a way to go. Cat lady is back on the weekend to offer a bit more advice, and possibly to bring a second.
Puss is still really nervous - I was hoping by now she would have been gnawing at the cage bars trying to get out.
I actually texted the cat protection people yesterday to say they had sold me a cat with no legs, on the grounds that I had never seen her use them. (I'm not sure they were too pleased with that)
I stood quietly a few metres away this morning, after laying the food down. She crept out of the box, very nervously, and was very twitchy when eating,and then straight back into the sleeping box to (cower / recline / rest?) at the back
In short I think we still have a way to go. Cat lady is back on the weekend to offer a bit more advice, and possibly to bring a second.
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