Unlike dogs, cats can't be stopped by fences. Once outside, they may travel from yard to yard, using neighbors' gardens as litter boxes or territorially marking. Whether the cat is feral, or a neighbors beloved pet, unwanted felines can be a nuisance.

Because there is no law in the unincorporated part of Sacramento County against cats being outside, we cannot respond to calls about loose cats.  Most cities do limit the number of cats per residence. In most areas of Sacramento County, you may only have four (4) cats. If there is a home with a large number of cats, call us at 916-368-7387 for follow-up.

Due to severe over-crowding and often low cat adoption rates, before bringing a nuisance cat to the shelter we recommend that you first exhaust other options.

First and foremost, attempt to solve the problem amicably with your neighbor. Inform your neighbor about the situation and give them an opportunity to arrange a solution, such as keeping the cat indoors permanently. If the problem continues, here are some deterrent tips that might help:

• Several economic repellant sprays are found at most larger pet supply stores. This is one of the easiest and most effective solutions.
  
• Scatter orange or lemon peels or spraying with citrus-scented spray around the area, as cats generally dislike citrus.
  
  
• Mix water and vinegar and spray at the base of trees and plants around the house.
  
  
• Keep garbage cans covered to control rodents that may be a food source for feral cats.
  
  
• Scatter pipe tobacco or coffee grounds in the area – cats dislike the smell.  Do NOT use cocoa bean shells; they can be poisonous to dogs and cats.
  
  
• Try growing rue or scattering dry rue (an herb)- cats dislike the smell.
  
  
• Soak strips of old towels or rags in perfume or cologne and keep near target plants.
  
  
• Place moth balls around the yard.
  
  
• Spray the cat with a hose or spray bottle every time you see it in your yard.
  
  
• Cover your child's sandbox when it's not in use.
  
  
• Build a rock garden in the area the cats use – make the surface uncomfortable for cats

If all else fails, confine the cat when it enters your property, being sure to supply proper food, water and shelter and bring it to the applicable animal shelter in your area. (If needed, use a humane cat trap. See below for a few local resources).

Note - there is no charge for bringing a stray cat to the shelter. The cat will be held 5 days, as required by law, and if no one claims the cat, or no owner can be found, a determination will be made as to the cat's adoptability. If it's a friendly/social cat, it will be placed for adoption. If it is not adoptable, it will be euthanized. However, due to the high numbers of cats entering shelters, even friendly/adoptable cats may be euthanized. Please keep this in mind before bringing to a shelter what could be a neighbor's pet.

Local resources for humane cat traps:

• Western Fee & Supply Store (Sacramento, Carmichael, Orangevale and Folsom)
• Bradshaw Feed & Supply (Sacramento)
• Sheldon Fee & Supply (Elk Grove)
• Harbor Freight Stores (Sacramento)