 | Jennifer S. Campbell
has served as Director of Communications for the Kansas Humane Society since April 2001. The Kansas Humane Society is a private, non-profit organization that receives over 11,000 animals each year from citizens unable or unwilling to care for them; receives no government or United Way funding; and depends entirely on private donations and adoption fees. She can be reached by calling (316) 524-1590 or via e-mail at jcampbell@kshumane.org. Anyone interested in adopting an animal or wanting tips on animal care and training should call (316) 524-9196 or visit www.kshumane.org |
Pets
2003-10-01 11:56:00
How do I keep pets out of my yard?
: Is there something we can do or a product we can use to keep neighbor's pets out of my flower beds?
ANSWER: There many simple and humane ways to keep pets and of your flowerbeds or gardens. Politely talk to your neighbors. They may not be aware their pet is roaming and may appreciate letting them know. Try fencing. An 18-inch wire fence will keep most pets, rabbits, and skunks out. Bury the fence about 8 inches into the ground and burying chicken wire under all the beds to deter digging. If you can't afford fencing, try a raised flowerbed. For ornamental plantings where you won't need to dig the soil again, you can cover the ground with a mulch or wood chips or gravel. For vegetable beds, put down hardware cloth on your beds and then plant through it, using a thick straw mulch might keep them away from the soil surface. Fill planters and soil with rocks to deter trespassing felines. Place spin wheels or other mobile ornaments in the yard. These inexpensive yard art pieces that spin when the wind blows may seem to scare away animals away. If cats are scampering into your garden in pursuit of flying prey, then maybe you have to pitch in and help the birds make a safer escape. Place bird feeders out of harm's way by mounting them on poles with a squirrel baffle or hang them from branches that stretch well out from the trunk of a tree. Use feeders that have catch trays or small seed openings to limit the amount of seed that falls to the ground. There are pet repellent sprays and powders you can get over the internet and at gardening shops however, their results are often have mixed effectiveness. Please remember to always be humane. BB guns, poisons and other aggressive techniques can cause serious injury or death to the animal and may result in a lawsuit for you.
