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#1
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Coyotes
Well, for those following my workplace cat colony adventures:
We've just spent the last three weeks trapping the dumped intact cats and all their litters. We have socialized seven wonderful kittens. They're up for adoption now. They make my heart bigger; I've laughed like I haven't laughed in years. We've vaccinated and altered four trapped intact adults, one of whom has turned out to be the most mellow, terrific cat. He was most certainly somebody's pet. He gets along well with the other cats and loves to play. When the abcess over his right eye heals, he will make an amazing addition to someone's home. It boggles the mind that anyone would abandon a loving animal like this, he is so personable. There are still two more adult breeders left to catch, but they are so wiley and trap-wary that even starving them didn't work. So I'm trying to gain their trust and dependence, and then I'll try trapping again. None of the previous regulars in my colony has shown up again. I think they may be lost to me. I pine every day for the ones who became close to me, but I think I know what happened to them: on the night we released the newly-altered ferals, we saw not one, but two coyotes. One was huge for a coyote; must have weighed at least forty pounds. The other was smaller, but they were both brazen. The first one, the large one, showed up very early, around 6:15 PM. This is in a suburban setting. He trotted calmly, but alertly through an active parking lot (!), straight to the feeding station in the bushes. Once I picked my jaw up off the ground, I pulled the car around and shined my highbeams right at him...no effect. He couldn't have cared less. I blew my horn. That made him move a little deeper into the bushes, but I could still see him quite plainly. He didn't leave until I got out (with pepper spray and flashlight in hand) and noisily approached the station. Then he took off--but not in a panic--through an empty parking lot bordering ours, disappearing into the woods on the far side. Later, when I returned with the food around 9 PM, I saw the smaller one. This one passed so close to me (I actually thought it was coming _to_ me like a domestic dog might, and this time I didn't have the pepper spray with me) I could clearly see its mangy, patchy fur discolored by the sodium parking lot lights, dangling tongue and *very* sharp-looking teeth as it veered away from me. Geez, they have HUGE ears. And they are completely silent, there is no sound when they move. I have to wonder if they've been there all along and I just never saw them before. Were they waiting patiently, concealed in the shadows while I fed and sweet-talked my ferals all these years? When I left food behind, did the coyotes think I was leaving it for them? Is it possible that's why they didn't attack the cats? Could they be showing up because I took the food away while trapping? Could they think of me like the cats do: a benefactor? In the more macro sense, is it possible my feeding station could be attracting these animals and endangering the surrounding homes, their kids and pets? I carry pepper spray; how many suburban little kids do? People walk their dogs, big and little, past the feeding station all the time, all hours of day and night. Coyotes in this town have made the local news for taking a pet cat from its yard while the horrified owner was just meters away in broad daylight. The whole thing is making my head spin. I've begun grieving for my lost ferals. Could the coyotes have attacked them because I restricted the food to trap the newcomers? My reaction to the coyotes' presence is viscerally negative; I hate them if they've hurt my babies. But I also know that nature's way isn't pretty sometimes. But I'm also concerned about what's next. First, there were raccoons, then skunk, now coyotes. Should I look forward to wolf? Bear? Mountain lion? Has anyone here dealt with this kind situation? Should I move the feeding station into the fenced-off area of the parking lot (for employees only)? There's no protection from the elements there, although there are some sparse landscaping bushes for concealment. The fence is only six feet high, so I'm pretty sure coyotes could jump it if they were motivated. I don't want to attract them into the fenced area; it would cause me and the ferals no end of trouble at work if coyotes were spotted in the parking lot. I could use some good expert advice here. |
#2
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Wow, you really have a problem there. The cat food and the cats are attracting
the coyotes. In the wild they will eat rabbits and ground squirrels primarily. If given the opportunity, they prefer to eat cats because they're easier to catch. You've basically attracted a bunch of coyotes to that area. They're eating the food and the cats, coyote heaven. This is tough but if you trap and relocate the coyotes, others will come and take their place. You may have to move your colony or else the truly feral ones left will be eaten :-( Those coyotes sound well fed and have lost fear of humans. They may approach others in that area. If people find out it's you who attracted the coyotes, you could be fined and arrested. It's a misdemeanor here in CA to feed predator species. The second time you get arrested as a felony. I'm so sorry you are going through this especially as you are doing the right thing by the cats. COYOTE (canis latrans) The coyote weighs 20-30 pounds and stands 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder. In appearance, the coyote looks similar to a tan colored shepherd-type dog with long pointed muzzle, large ears and long legs. The coyote is an extremely intelligent predator than has adapted to living in close proximity to humans. Coyotes, whose natural habitat is the Los Angeles basin, have adjusted to the shrinking habitat by living closer to humans, sometimes in residential areas, parks and on the landscaped areas of the freeway system. Coyotes use the flood control channels, freeways, hillside erosion gutters, city streets and sidewalks as a convenient means of travel. They find an abundant source of water from swimming pools, gutters, leaking hose faucets and sprinkler heads, bird baths and pet water dishes in residential areas. Although the coyote is an excellent hunter, feeding primarily on rats, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, insects, carrion and fruit, it will not hesitate to kill cats, small dogs, poultry, sheep or goats given the opportunity. They learn that domestic animals are easier to catch than wild prey and will prowl neighborhoods in search of unattended domestic animals. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY, PETS, POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK Coyotes are capable of scaling fences up to six feet high. They will also dig under fences. They can be deterred by increasing the height of fencing to a total of at least eight feet and facing it outward at an 45 degree angle. Bury the bottom of the fence at least six to twelve inches underground to prevent the coyote from digging underneath. There is also a rolling bar that can be placed on the top of an existing fence which will keep them from coming in. A covered enclosure set up with a pet door will permit your pet to go safely outdoors. Chickens, rabbits and other small animals often kept outdoors should be kept in well protected areas and in sturdy cages at night. Cages made of chicken wire will not keep desperate coyotes or other predators from entering. Stronger gauge wiring is a necessity in protecting these small animals. DO: *Keep your cat or small dog indoors at night or any other time a coyote is in the area. *Accompany your small dog in a well lighted area at night for walks *Walk your dog on a leash whenever you take it off your property *Confine poultry and rabbits in covered enclosures with heavy mesh wire. Coyotes can break through chicken wire. *Pick backyard fruit as soon as it ripens and keep rotten fruit off the ground. DON'TS: *Don't feed wild animals. It's illegal to feed predatory animals in the city of Los Angeles *Don't leave pet food outside, particularly at night *Don't allow pets to roam from home, especially at night *Don't leave water bowls for pets outdoors *Don't leave garbage containers open *Don't leave water in birdbaths or bird seed outdoors for songbirds. Also, flashing lights, tape recorded human noises, scattered moth balls and ammonia soaked rags strategically placed may deter coyotes from entering your property. |
#3
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About I can suggest is build coyote-proof feeding stations, large enough for the cat to take shelter in. Alley Cat Allies' plan is pretty good, though I recommend a "back door" with a clear lucite flap (outward swinging). Take the food away at night and leave it only during the day. This might help, but the coyotes may not care one way or the other, if they are already prowling opening during the day. And be prepared to lose many of these cats. I am very sorry. Just a few years ago, I looked out into my large backyard in North Seattle to see a fully grown coyote trying to get into our feeding station. Coyotes are everywhere. (One was taken from a downtown elevator not that long ago; another lived on campus for a while, taking the campus cats.) Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats www.campuscats.org |
#4
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In article
ington.edu, Sharon Talbert wrote: [snip] be prepared to lose many of these cats. I am very sorry. And In article , pam (Mary) wrote: [snip] If people find out it's you who attracted the coyotes, you could be fined and arrested. It's a misdemeanor here in CA to feed predator species. The second time you get arrested as a felony. I'm so sorry you are going through this especially as you are doing the right thing by the cats. The loud "thump/splat" sound you heard was my heart hitting the floor. |
#5
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I could use some good expert advice here.
I was talking with a friend yesterday and they gave me this information. I never knew this. "As for trapping cats and moving them, Once a person takes in cats or removes them from a location in any manner that person now is the cats custodian and if they release the cat anywhere they are now in violation of the animal abandonment law (597s Penal Code)" He suggested the best thing to do is get the cats to a cat rescue. Hopefully you can adopt out the friendly ones to homes and maybe the true ferals can be adopted out spayed/neutered/vaccinated for mouse patrol on people's property. |
#6
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Here in Arizona, coyotes are quite common and because of drought and lack of
food they come into the city. They come looking for food and water sources. The problem with coyotes is not always caused by nature. We humans are also responsible as we keep building homes, apartments, and other buildings which encroach on their territory. A couple of times my parents have had a coyote scale their backyard wall. Both times the coyote was chased away. What you need to do is make a total racket with them. Bang a stick on a pot or pan at them. Water is also a repellent so turning the hose on them also works sometimes. The best thing one can do to protect their cats is to simply keep them indoors. I also agree that one should not feed the coyotes and leave sources of food and water out for them. Coyotes have also been known to attack small children so supervising them is also a good idea. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Mary" wrote in message ... Wow, you really have a problem there. The cat food and the cats are attracting the coyotes. In the wild they will eat rabbits and ground squirrels primarily. If given the opportunity, they prefer to eat cats because they're easier to catch. You've basically attracted a bunch of coyotes to that area. They're eating the food and the cats, coyote heaven. This is tough but if you trap and relocate the coyotes, others will come and take their place. You may have to move your colony or else the truly feral ones left will be eaten :-( Those coyotes sound well fed and have lost fear of humans. They may approach others in that area. If people find out it's you who attracted the coyotes, you could be fined and arrested. It's a misdemeanor here in CA to feed predator species. The second time you get arrested as a felony. I'm so sorry you are going through this especially as you are doing the right thing by the cats. COYOTE (canis latrans) The coyote weighs 20-30 pounds and stands 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder. In appearance, the coyote looks similar to a tan colored shepherd-type dog with long pointed muzzle, large ears and long legs. The coyote is an extremely intelligent predator than has adapted to living in close proximity to humans. Coyotes, whose natural habitat is the Los Angeles basin, have adjusted to the shrinking habitat by living closer to humans, sometimes in residential areas, parks and on the landscaped areas of the freeway system. Coyotes use the flood control channels, freeways, hillside erosion gutters, city streets and sidewalks as a convenient means of travel. They find an abundant source of water from swimming pools, gutters, leaking hose faucets and sprinkler heads, bird baths and pet water dishes in residential areas. Although the coyote is an excellent hunter, feeding primarily on rats, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, insects, carrion and fruit, it will not hesitate to kill cats, small dogs, poultry, sheep or goats given the opportunity. They learn that domestic animals are easier to catch than wild prey and will prowl neighborhoods in search of unattended domestic animals. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY, PETS, POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK Coyotes are capable of scaling fences up to six feet high. They will also dig under fences. They can be deterred by increasing the height of fencing to a total of at least eight feet and facing it outward at an 45 degree angle. Bury the bottom of the fence at least six to twelve inches underground to prevent the coyote from digging underneath. There is also a rolling bar that can be placed on the top of an existing fence which will keep them from coming in. A covered enclosure set up with a pet door will permit your pet to go safely outdoors. Chickens, rabbits and other small animals often kept outdoors should be kept in well protected areas and in sturdy cages at night. Cages made of chicken wire will not keep desperate coyotes or other predators from entering. Stronger gauge wiring is a necessity in protecting these small animals. DO: *Keep your cat or small dog indoors at night or any other time a coyote is in the area. *Accompany your small dog in a well lighted area at night for walks *Walk your dog on a leash whenever you take it off your property *Confine poultry and rabbits in covered enclosures with heavy mesh wire. Coyotes can break through chicken wire. *Pick backyard fruit as soon as it ripens and keep rotten fruit off the ground. DON'TS: *Don't feed wild animals. It's illegal to feed predatory animals in the city of Los Angeles *Don't leave pet food outside, particularly at night *Don't allow pets to roam from home, especially at night *Don't leave water bowls for pets outdoors *Don't leave garbage containers open *Don't leave water in birdbaths or bird seed outdoors for songbirds. Also, flashing lights, tape recorded human noises, scattered moth balls and ammonia soaked rags strategically placed may deter coyotes from entering your property. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.538 / Virus Database: 333 - Release Date: 11/10/2003 |
#7
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On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 04:24:38 UTC, "Cat Protector"
wrote: Here in Arizona, coyotes are quite common and because of drought and lack of food they come into the city. They come looking for food and water sources. The problem with coyotes is not always caused by nature. We humans are also responsible as we keep building homes, apartments, and other buildings which encroach on their territory. A couple of times my parents have had a coyote scale their backyard wall. Both times the coyote was chased away. What you need to do is make a total racket with them. Bang a stick on a pot or pan at them. Water is also a repellent so turning the hose on them also works sometimes. The best thing one can do to protect their cats is to simply keep them indoors. I also agree that one should not feed the coyotes and leave sources of food and water out for them. Coyotes have also been known to attack small children so supervising them is also a good idea. Here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida coyotes live in the cities. LT -- |
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