cAT iNVASION

Question
:   Our daughter who lives in New York has a small outdoor patio and has two cats that remain indoors.  Her problem began when one stray cat decided to visit her patio.  Now five cats hang-out on a daily basis. During a cold spell she put out an old blanket so the cats would have a warm place to stay but she does not feed them and her own cats are confined to the house.  How can she get rid of these strays.  Animal control will not pick them up.  Is there a spray that you can recommend?  She needs to do something before even more cats make this their gathering place.

Answer
Hi, John. Since she's not feeding them, the best thing to do is find a humane trap and take them to the shelter. If they are like most, they will not pick up strays, but will take them if they are brought there. Do they seem feral because they are nice, you could bring them in via a pet carrier. Do you know that they are not owned? You could try putting out bowls or hand towels soaked in vinegar water. That's not a guarantee but they do not like that smell. You could also fill up the patio with different things that make it seem suddenly unwelcome.