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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:	Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:	FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:	MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO

Created:	Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:	Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5089
Total number of notes:	60366

673.0. "Foxes in the neighborhood" by DECSIM::TAYLOR () Fri Jul 17 1987 15:50

    Hi,
      My brother has 2 neat black cats, Strawberry and Rhubarb (pronounced
    'Roo-Bob' in good Bostonian fashion), who have been cherished family
    members for years. They just moved to a new house in Lexington and
    have a new seriuos problem.
      There are 2 foxes and a cub who live in their neighborhood and
    regularly come by and attempt to hunt the cats. They are very unafraid
    of people (some of whom feed them, probably) and come right up to
    the house - we've chased them off a number of times, once when they
    had Strawberry cornered next to a boulder.  They foxes are very
    intelligent (in fact, they've 'played' with the cats at night by
    charging the sliding doors and them stopping right at them which
    makes the cats freak) and beautiful but we fear for our family member's
    lives. 
      Anyone have any ideas as to how to deal with such a situation?
    Up to now, the cats have learned to handle themselves but we'd like
    to do anything we can to increase their chances in the future.
    
                                         Mathew

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
673.1	Get rid of them ASAP!	SQM::MARCONIS		`Fri Jul 17 1987 16:41`	15
	Contact your local animal control person ASAP. Foxes are not the kind of animal you want in a residential neighborhood. Foxes are one of the smartest and meanest predators in this part of the country. They prey on domestic animals, and are a common source of rabies. My parents' neighborhood once had a fox, and it managed to kill and maim a number of cats and small dogs before it was caught. The injuries they can inflict on small domestic animals are gruesome beyond description. Don't go near these animals, or try to catch them yourself. They are really mean when cornered! Whatever you do, don't let the cats outside until you get rid of the fox. Cats are no match for these critters, and sooner or later the fox will get them.
673.2		AKOV75::FRETTS	Shine your Spirit!	`Fri Jul 17 1987 17:32`	12
	I agree with the previous note - keep the cats in until this situation is resolved. I would hate to see the foxes hurt in any way, too - maybe there is a means whereby they can be caught and relocated to a more open area? There must be some experienced people around that can deal with this. Maybe some local veterin- arians might have some leads. Regards, Carole
673.3	Trap and relocate!	CLUSTA::TAMIR		`Fri Jul 17 1987 20:49`	13
	I agree with Joe as well...as the local wild animal expert in my area, I recommend that you contact the Animal Control Officer in your town. If they don't respond to you (and don't be too surprised if they don't), then the humane society (or even the officer) will loan you a large Hav-a-Hart trap that you can bait to trap the animals. The animal can then be safely moved to an area more suited to its lifestyle, or...nah, I won't say it.... Racoons are nasty enough, but foxes are another story. The traps won't harm the animal, and once inside, the can be safely relocated. Good luck! Mary (who has her own personal Hav-a-Hart trap) (no, not for me...)