Having Trouble with Neighborhood Bully Cat

Bad Neighbor Cat
Question:	I have four indoor-only cats ranging in age from ten to seven. About two years ago, my family I and began noticing an outdoor cat that would attack the windows my cats were sitting in. It would usually happen on a late summer night when the windows were open. It was rare, maybe once or twice a month. Someone in the family would yell at the cat outside and close the window. About five or six months ago, this outdoor cat broke through one of the window screens and attacked one of my cats. Another family member heard the fight, but I found the screen broken, my cat's collar on the ground right outside the window, and several bite wounds on my cat's head and neck. I took her to the vet right away, and we were able to get the wounds cleaned up and avoided abscesses. Because my cats are indoor-only, I did not have them vaccinated for FIV. I never imagined an outdoor cat would break in and bite my indoor cat. They have all since been vaccinated, but the veterinarian advised me to have her tested a few months down the road. That time is quickly approaching, and I am a little worried the test will come back positive. My real question though is how do I keep this cat away from my house? There was another incident tonight with this cat. Nothing had happened since the bite a few months ago. Fortunately, the cold weather meant the window was closed tonight. The only damage was one seriously startled cat. I plan on trying to take a picture of the cat and to go around the neighborhood to try and locate the owner. I do not want this cat on my property anymore. I'm not sure what to do if the owner is not willing to keep the cat indoors. The local shelter is overcrowded, plus the cat obviously isn't the nicest. I would feel bad if I took it there and it was euthanized. The cat looks healthy enough to have an owner, but it won't ever let me come near it. Since the problem area is right by the windows, I don't want to use anything that has a bad scent. Even if it is something that doesn't bother me, I don't want it to bother my cats and keep them from enjoying the window. Keeping the windows closed also isn't an option. Any suggestions?
Answer:	Dear Maureen, Oh I am sorry to hear this! There are several options, I would definitely ring some neighbor's doorbells and ask around, someone may know whose kitty this is. The cat is too aggressive to be outside and possibly very hungry or not well. I once had this experience myself and realized the cat was extremely hungry and was aggressive to get to the food which he could see and smell through the window. I left food for him at the far corner of my yard nightly, but this is not what I will recommend for you. I don't know your property lines or financial situation but options are: installing an electric fence, or installing a "scarecrow sprinkler" by the window. The scarecrow sprinkler might be your best bet, when kitty comes near the window it will be sensed on a motion detector and be blasted with water. This is a humane option. Hopefully, it isn't too cold out because he will get wet and i wouldn't want him to get ill either. There is also a natural product called "Silent Roar" pellets made from lion dung. Handle with gloves and repeat application with rain or adverse weather conditions. I have not heard reviews but you can order on internet! I know you don't want to intimidate your cats with the smell, but perhaps put it along pathway leading to the window outdoors? In the meantime keep windows closed or with secure screens installed! Regarding your kitty's test results. I am not as concerned with FIV, cats can live to twenty with no problem with FIV, especially healthy indoor cats. The cheaper snap test is also not always reliable, there are many false positives. The serum test however which is much more expensive is most reliable. Start with snap, and heaven forbid you get a "positive" order the serum immediately! You will have to wait a couple of days for serum lab results. Remember you can get a false positive on snap test. I do not know if your vet was trained in the eighties but generally in that era there was not enough information about FIV and vets were euthanizing cats that in my opinion did not need to be put down. I am not happy with the FIV vaccine, however you can discuss that with your vet. I have had a very peaceful FIV cat fostered at my house with my healthy cats. They never contracted it. So if all of your kitties get along and are healthy with proper immune building diet then I wouldn't be as concerned. It is transmitted through blood contact. FELV however is a very different story. Please keep me posted as to your kitty's test results and what option you have decided on. Shanti