Cats

[samdavis]

Evening all,

I have this major, major problem with where I keep my wagon, I apologise in advance if this does cause any offence, I don't mean to and I'm not a sadistic ###....

I don't use my car 5 days a week as I walk to work, it stays on a parking space, unfortunately a cat comes along and makes it his/her home every so often.

I had this problem with my Fez back in the spring but it wasn't such a big deal on a silver car, but it is a HUGE problem on a red car! Came home from work to day to find paw scratches on the roof.

Its pretty well-know that cats don't have their claws out 100% of the time, but when they leap, i.e. get on a car, sofa, etc they do draw their claws in an attempt to grapple onto desired surface.

Anyone got any practical advise for this? I've been trying to get a lockup-/garage to rent where I live for the last 6 months but failed miserably. Its pretty difficult when you live in a place where the local politicians think that normal people shouldn't own cars!!

I've been leaving cayenne pepper powder under the car for a while now, but that has seemed to stop working. Was wondering about a car cover but I've read a lot about the sandpaper effect. Would like a folding garage but I'm not sure how feasible that will be where I live.

Thanks in advance... and sorry if I've struck a nerve. I do like pets... really

 

[Venters]

Nowt wrong with a good cover. Many are lined with something soft so as not to damage the paint.

 

[samdavis]

Any recommendations for a good outdoor cover? Are they very sensitive to rain?

 

[Eklipze3k]

When I was looking for a cover for my old 126, this website was highly recommended : http://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/store/product.php?productid=16310&cat=299&page=1

 

[dave]

its not just scratches you have to worry about with a cover, they stop the car from breathing, that then promotes rust ( especially on nuts an bolts) and mildew.

try an Ultrasonic cat repeller

 

[Eklipze3k]

its not just scratches you have to worry about with a cover, they stop the car from breathing, that then promotes rust ( especially on nuts an bolts) and mildew.

Again, crap ones do the above, spend the money on a decent one and you'll not have those problems.

 

[Venters]

http://www.care4car.com/productdisp...rds_Waterproof_Breathable_Full_Car_Cover.html

Just a cheap one but soft lined and breathable.

 

[samdavis]

Ahh I seee, that sort of makes sense. Anyone know any effective 'appropriate' pet repellents or similar?

Maybe I should just look for a folding garage...:S

 

[Andy Monty]

Oops wrong image :devil:






Jet Spray Repeller: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

 

[dave]

jacks sell them Ultrasonic things. ive seen some sprays too but not sure if they are paint safe though

 

[Ziggy122]

But im with andy - the 1st option soon makes sure they dont come back

Ziggy

 

[Andy Monty]

Problem is option 1 comes with the risk of police and RSPCA action..... Or a very upset cat owner giving you a kicking / torching your car.... And it's not the cats fault your car is clean and probably warm...

 

[dave]

i had a breathable cover, covered my blue spitfire with it. looked like this when i took cover off

 

[AndyRKett]

i had a breathable cover, covered my blue spitfire with it. looked like this when i took cover off

View attachment 107915

That's more a reflection on British leyland than on any car cover

 

[dombooth]

View attachment 107905


Oops wrong image :devil:

Dad's done that before with someone's security light coming on every 5 minutes. :devil:

Dom

 

[samdavis]

Looks like I've got sopme options. Main snag is I live in a flat so sprinkelrs and things are o0ut of the question. I might be able to mount an ultrasonic device on the fence and put some discomfort spikes on the fence, that is about it.

I'm wondering about one of these, but again living in a flat... makes everything difficult!
http://www.cswshopping.co.uk/perambulator-folding-garage-p-134.html

 

[dombooth]

http://www.justbbguns.co.uk/product/78/BB-Guns-For-Fun-/201/RIFLES/615/ZM61A-SHOTGUN

Pretty sure it's legal. :devil:
Dom

 

[samdavis]

http://www.justbbguns.co.uk/product/78/BB-Guns-For-Fun-/201/RIFLES/615/ZM61A-SHOTGUN

Pretty sure it's legal. :devil:
Dom

Hmm not sure it will go down well though...

Any more ideas anyone, this issues is once again making me very depressed. I go out of my way not to use my Fiat for a daily commute and enjoy usage of it at weekends. Finding scratches on the roof and bonnet to me is a kick in the face.

 

[RobinPJ]

You could try some of this stuff placed on some recepticle on the car.

http://www.primrose.co.uk/-p-791.html?adtype=pla&kwd=&gclid=CNW-qPen1bICFcllOgodwygAXg

I have used it in a garden and it does work. Basically makes the cat think a lion has just crapped on your car, so it had better keep away in case it comes back.

You probably wouldn't want to put it directly on the paintwork but if you can find something to put it in it could be worth a pop.

Edit: BB guns are legal but shooting animals with them is not. Not only would it be very cruel (for both the cat and any owner - I know my kids would be heart-broken if someone shot and harmed or killed their pet), I suspect that the owners might well work out it was you, and the RSPCA would definitely prosecute you.

 

[Eklipze3k]

Go with the cover, it's not like it's going to be covered constantly so any likelihood of the car not being able to breath for long periods of time and rusting will be minimised, and those covers I've heard being used for years on much more sought after cars than a Punto with no issues!