Washed, clay barred, and waxed the mpg machine, and apparently it's too slippery for the ferrel cats. There's a perfect set of claw marks from the top of the hood, down the front bumper. Looks like I'll need to break out the buffer.
Two solutions, live catch traps or go hunting. I have live caught a few feral cats here and found most are incredibly wild. They do run the other way once transported to the boonies and let out of the cage. Never had one turn on me but if you choose that solution do carry or take other precautions to protect your hide. One kitty worked out as a pet for a few years before we gave him to someone else. Mike
Yep, my own cat did that while I was zainoing my car. Jumped on the hood and slipped right off as he had no grip at all. I was pissed but it was hilarious at the same time. Fortunately, there wasn't too much of claw marks due to the lack of grip and I was able to buff them out. There's something called a garage if you don't want stray cats climbing on your car, but unfortunately most Americans prefer to fill it with junks than cars.
Don't have access to a garage, unfortunately. The area I live in has a huge cat population, so catch and release would be a never ending task.
My car gets most of its tracks inside the garage, from our young climber who uses it as a step up into the rafters. It probably doesn't help that the litter boxes are also in the garage. Go outside, get wet feet, come in the garage to use the cat box, then start climbing. We leave the spouse's red car outside, as a target for the birds. And after its recent bath, the first in a year, is was definitely a target: Birds have favorite car colors - to poop on! The green car next to it, under a more natural roosting location, has been unscathed. Catch-neuter-release is better, if someone is willing to fund it.
Neuter? Cats get on cars all the time whether or not they're neutered/spayed, including your next door neighbors' cats in the city or suburbs. This is not a problem unique to ferrel cats. The only real solution is a garage or car cover.
At least it is just a domestic cat. I have a mountain lion that sleeps in a tree in my yard. I wonder if I parked close to the tree if I would have giant paw marks on it the next morning...
But then, there are steps that can be taken: [Alternately: Ford Sport Ka Cat Commercial - YouTube Don't know why this won't relably imbed.] YMMV Also see: Birds have favorite car colors - to poop on! | PriusChat and: Worst thing spilled in your Prius? (and how you cleaned it) | PriusChat
Solution (bi-partisan animal rights weenie): Car Cover. Solution(s): (real-world): 1. .22 caliber rifle/pellet gun. If you live in an urban area, consider a less than lethal alternative (below) or use a subsonic round in the .22. I personally do not like wounding animals, but I live in the country. I use a .22 mag and go for a head shot. This means that you either hit all the way. or miss all the way. YMMV. 2. Live trap. I use these, since I prefer to trap and relocate the problem however (comma!!!) I have a pickup truck. It's easier on me and the cat. 3. Buy a dog. (bi-partisan animal rights weenie alternative): Adopt a dog from a shelter. 4. Call animal control. Wait 4-6 days. Try another alternative. 5. Liberally sprinkle cayenne pepper, ammonia, or just urinate the area around where you park. Note: City dwellers may not wish to urinate in areas where this activity can be observed by neighbors. 6. Leave food in your neighbor's yard near where they park. 7. Don't wax the car, and place a kitty mat on the roof. Good Luck! EDIT: Political references edited to quell the bruised sensibilities of anyone who is offended by the word "liberal". "Liberally sprinkle cayenne pepper" statement remains unchanged because I SWEAR I mean no politically charged innuendo by using the word "liberally."
If you live in the city or suburbs, don't be stupid and use a live trap. 9 out of 10 times they're your neighbors' pets, not ferrel cats.
Cats claws go right through most car covers. Sadly, I had to learn this one the hard way. BTW, there's no need to inject politics into every discussion...
^ You're right. I've edited my post thusly to be more "inclusive." I'd like to sincerely apologize to any bed-wetting liberal that might have possibly been offended by the tone of my post, or mentioning the use of firearms or live traps, to include cage-type traps instead of the much more fun to use snap-traps, as a means of feline behavior control.
I bought a have-a-hart trap and trap the cats live, then drop them off far enough away that there's no way they are going to return. Just had a better idea now that I think about it. I live 1 mile from another state, I'll drop them off on the other side of the river so not only are they not in my alley anymore, or my town.. but they will no longer be in my STATE haha.
When I was a kid on the farm, this is how we ended up with so many new cats, and a couple dogs. Those hungry and frightened animals didn't walk out to the very end of the county road by themselves.
Well, I'm kind enough to drop them in a location that I know is infested with mice, moles, voles, and other delectable goodies for our feline friends to snack on. I tried to catch one and make it house friendly after it took over our basement for a few weeks. It bit my arm so viciously that I realized these aren't cute little pets, and after scratching 3 of my cars I feel it's generous of me to escort them to such an inviting place. I like wildlife, but I also don't have a garage and happen to live in an area where houses are only feet or inches apart. The local animal agencies don't help so I figured the best response is to kindly remove them before the over zealous neighbors fire weapons putting all of us in danger.
