Line 33: Line 33:  
The prognosis is guarded, because in many cases new residents will introduce new cats. Every change or increase in population brings further competition and instability. Successful management of a local overpopulation problem depends upon '''active participation by all cat owners'''.
 
The prognosis is guarded, because in many cases new residents will introduce new cats. Every change or increase in population brings further competition and instability. Successful management of a local overpopulation problem depends upon '''active participation by all cat owners'''.
    +
==Prevention==
 +
*Neuter male and female cats.
 +
*Do not introduce cats that have a history of despotism to already highly-populated neighbourhoods.
 +
*Be aware of local feline population density before introducing more cats to an area.
 +
*Provide places in the garden for resident cats to [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw mark]], so they can define the territory boundary.
 +
*Provide [[Cat Latrines#Outdoor Latrines|outdoor latrines]] (sand pits) at the edge of the garden.
 +
*Increase the cat’s access to height in the garden by creating perches in trees and on walls/fences that look away from the house. This gives cats a chance to defend their own territory whilst preventing other cats from using the perches to spy on the cat’s house.
 +
*Encourage local cat owners to adopt [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Opportunities to Perform Normal Behaviour|activity feeding]] and other environmental enrichments that are known to encourage cats to live in harmony.
 +
*Consider persuading cat owners to set up a local ‘cat club’ of people living in the neighbourhood so that they can swap ideas about improving gardens and homes to suit the cats better.
     
694

edits