When we moved into our rural Hidden Valley Lake home, the area was infested with rats, mice, gophers and rattle snakes. I had been poisoning and trapping these pests for years when a few feral cats showed up. We never saw another pest and the cats seemed content just laying around in the sunshine. I set traps and caught, fixed and released these cats, ears clipped to show they were sterile and inoculated.
Some years later, transplanted city folks moved into the neighborhood. They expressed disapproval of the cats, saying they pooped in their yard. They didn”t seem to mind the possum, fox, deer, skunk, squirrel, mountain lion or raccoon droppings. Just the cat variety. The cats started disappearing.
Unless you prefer living with snakes and rats, I would suggest making the cats welcome.
Edgar Gillham
Hidden Valley Lake
