Deny what?

If that ever happened I would offer to replace the bird.

However where our cats are concerned this would not happen - this is not denial, it's fact

My cats/dogs have been brought up with other animals...domestic rats, rabbits chickens, guineapigs horses etc etc

The cats often sleep in the rabbit run getting the sun as the sun moves they will go to the chicken house and do the same....on the other side of the coin, the chickens, rabbit guineapig etc etc are used to the cats and dogs.

I own Border Collies one of which herds the chickens out and in, however she knows NOT to touch them if they are free roaming the garden.

My rabbit gets a free roam everyday again the dogs will watch him but know NOT to touch, if I say...bring him home they will round him up and fetch him back to his cage.

I have a Jack Russell Terrier, numerous people told me you can not have one of those with chickens and small furries however I can as she goes in the chicken run with all the chickens and totally ignores them, but she is just coming into her own as a ratter now she is 17 months old and she sniffs out where the rats are, as do my two 7 month old kittens and they do a tag team effort in catching them.....but they don't bother the chickens or the rabbit, guineapig etc., and lets be honest a guineapig looks like a bigger rat....even my Jack Russell will not go for him, she just washes him

I forget that I live out in the middle of nowhere with other folks on each side of my property and so on with theirs as well until you get to towns and I'm sure I'm arguing with people who wouldn't/don't have the same problems as I do. So sorry folks for stirring up the pot I'm about to go hit the woods for a few until dark. Good chatting for a few

Love me somr JRT's!!! I'll chime back in tomorrow. Got a heck of a nose on them little ones!!!

I've got two Lacy dogs, two border collies, Argentine dogo, mutt & English bull terrier!

Thanks. We are in Co Galway.

We haven't had a problem with the cats since last year but it is a difficult one when it does happen.

I end up leaving food out for the kittens as I can't just leave them which I know is encouraging them. I then feel mean when I can't let the dogs loose in their own land.

On one occasion I thought it was safe and mother cat had moved the kittens, one of my dogs found them She had just moved them to a different barn and I had searched all over

Maybe where you live it is....but my cats mean a lot to me having had most of them for years, I like to know exactly where they are etc.,
I take full responsibility for my cats as I do for my dogs and other animals, each cat is micro-chipped and its my name my address on it, each cat is neutered (as I said) each cat has their booster vaccs and are wormed and flea'd regular, so therefore I would take responsibility if they became a nuiscance to neighbours, as I say they can be trained if time and effort is put in, as mine know they get a fish treat when they are called....they come. OK it is for the food but this is my way of ensuring they stay around my yard

It's the adults that need trapped & neutered, then there won't be any more kittens. We are shortly going to be in "kitten season" so keep an eye out for nursing mums I've sent emails to couple of folks & will get back to you.

Not read the rest of this thread as it would take ages and I'm tired but just thought I would add in my initial thoughts!

I don't have a cat but we have one that lives next door (with dogs).

To me, cats aren't dogs... I don't expect her to behave like a dog. If she poos in my garden (rarely, but sometimes), I pick it up like I do with dog poo. If she sits on the fence to torment the dog (which she clearly does on purpose ), and Alfie barks, he gets told to be quiet and leave her. Sure she winds him up a bit sometimes by prancing along the fence just out of reach, but again he is just told to be quiet. I don't shoo the cat away. I want Alfie to learn to ignore cats, and she is welcome.

Their other cat got hit by a car, I know it isn't my responsibility but I would much rather have her in my garden than on the street!

(She has never scratched Alfie ever... but) if she ever swiped at Alfie for getting too close (no damage, just a scratch) I wouldn't ban her from the garden either, as to me he has to learn to respect/ignore other animals. Maybe that's just me

Probably a pointless post, but those are my thoughts

Not pointless at all and one of the most sensible so far.

Good post Kammi

Excellent post! I agree with all of it

I just don't have the energy to care about things I can't do anything about anyway!