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Secure outdoor trash: Make sure your out- door trash has a secure lid so that cats do not get into your trash to eat. Digging deterrents: Plastic mats with flexible plastic spikes. Place on the ground with spike side up to discourage cats from digging. Other digging deterrents: Push chopsticks into small potted plants. Use pinecones, lava rocks, concrete pavers or stones as mulch to prevent cats from digging. Place large riv- er rocks throughout the garden or use poul- try fencing or landscape wrap around plants. Blocking off access: Cats seek out dry, warm shelter away from the elements. Block off access to the places in which you don’t want cats (making sure no cats are inside before doing so). To guide cats away from those areas, provide another shelter. There are many inexpensive options for community cat shelters. Talk to your neighbors: If anyone is feeding free-roaming cats that live on their property, have them call Orange County Animal Ser- vices to speak with someone about spay/ neuter resources. We can also give them tips from this brochure on helping their community cats be good neighbors! What are “Free-Roaming Cats?” Free-roaming cats exist in communities around the world. Some cats are al- lowed outdoors periodically but also spend time indoors with their families. Others are fed by their caretakers but live outdoors only. Some free-roaming cats are former pets that were lost or abandoned. There are also cats that have become “feral.” Feral cats spend all or most of their lives outdoors, liv- ing in a wild or semi-wild state. How do I get rid of unwanted free- roaming cats? HUMANE DETERRENTS! Smells that repel cats: To keep cats out of yards or gardens, plant the herb rue or sprinkle dried rue. Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), gar- lic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well. The scents diminish over time, so re- applying is necessary. Motion-activated sprinklers: These have motion sensors that trigger a short blast of water. Motion-activated, ultrasonic alarm: This alarm emits a high-pitched sound that repels cats, but can’t be heard by hu- mans. ARE YOU CARING FOR A FREE-ROAMING CAT? Help community cats be good neighbors:  Keep the feeding station neat and tidy. Remove all trash and leftover food promptly.  Feed the cats at a regular place and time during daylight hours and only feed enough to last one feeding. This practice will not only help the cats get on a schedule, it will eliminate attracting other wildlife.  Establish a litter box. Creating a sandy area that you clean regularly will help keep the cats from eliminating in areas where you don’t want them to eliminate. Make sure children keep out of this box!  Plant a bed of catnip in an area where you don’t mind the cats hanging out. They’ll be drawn to the catnip instead of the flowerbeds.  Provide a shelter so the cats are not nesting in places where they are not wanted. There are many options availa- ble; search online for feral cat shelters.  Know your local laws and ordinances. Protect yourself and the cats by knowing your legal rights.  Educate your neighbors and keep an on- going dialog with them. Make sure the deterrents or solutions are implemented and are working for them.  Keep accurate records on how many cats you care for and when they were vaccinated for rabies and spayed/neutered. Call Orange County Animal Services for information about spay/neuter resources! 919-942-7387.