Dear George,
You might
remember the famous movie by the same name but my story is a bit different. We’ve
recently moved in this posh neighbourhood where everything it’s nicer and
greener! It was a nice, warm, late summer night and I was having dinner in the
garden with my humans. I was watching my daddy turning the juicy steaks on the
grill when we got unexpected guests! Guess… who? Of course, I’d be glad to
share my dinner with Sidney Poitier or Katharine Hepburn but that wasn’t the
case. Who was coming to my dinner? A family of racoons – mother, father and
kids! All up on the fence. No excuse and no shame! As I was ready to charge
towards them my mommy grabbed me and run into the house! And that ruined
everything as I couldn’t protect my territory! Why would she do this? Now, how
am I going to claim my territory back? I lost my appetite as you can see in the
photo attached! George, how do get rid of unwanted guests?
By the way, it’s Thanksgiving in Canada! How am I going to enjoy it now ….knowing that these predators are nearby? Or maybe….in the spirit of thanksgiving I should feed them?
Happy Thanksgiving to all
By the way, it’s Thanksgiving in Canada! How am I going to enjoy it now ….knowing that these predators are nearby? Or maybe….in the spirit of thanksgiving I should feed them?
Happy Thanksgiving to all
Lenny
Dear Lenny,
Patrol. Get to know your territory purrfectly. Every single morning I walk round to see who has visited in the night. There are various dangerous areas - the hedge near the old piggery, the box shrub in the garden, and any cars parked nearby. I spray urine on them all, to tell any visitors I have been there and also to post a marker to remind myself that this is a worrying area. And I sniff carefully to know who has visited.
There is the occasional fox (very frightening), the feral tom from the local barn (ear tipped so probably neutered), rabbits (yum yum), rats (a bit scary if they are large ones) and sometimes the cat from across the road who is visiting in search of rabbits. Luckily we don't get racoons in the UK.
A racoon - not a good neigbour |
Don't even think of feeding these racoons. Make sure no cat food is left out by mistake. You don't want them getting too tame - maybe even coming in the house. Racoons sometimes attack kittens and they can pass on diseases like rabies. Tell your humans to shoo them away from your territory.
Keep safe is my message for Thanksgiving.
George.
Keep safe is my message for Thanksgiving.
George.