[Genthar]

Originally Posted by vermacelli

I have a single-car garage, 2 cars, so one car always has to be parked in the driveway. Whenever we go somewhere at night and return, the next morning we will find cat prints all over the car. I've chased off the neighbor's cat a few times until I wrote them a note stating that I would press charges if I ever find any scratches. Since then, they've kept their cat indoors. Just a few days ago, the alarm went off in the middle of the night and cat prints were all over the car again, there's other cats in the neighborhood. This was right after I had washed too. It really pi$$es me off that it is legal for cat owners to allow their "pets" to roam freely, crap wherever they want, and vandalize other people's property. If dogs need to be on leash in public, then so do cats. Anyone have this same problem or know how to deal with it, nothing illegal please...not worth it.

Two problems with a pellet gun...One, if you miss you risk doing a hell of a lot more damage than the cat to either your truck, or the neighbor's window or something. Two, it's generally illegal to shoot any critters with a pellet gun unless you're in a wilderness zone, regardless of whether or not it's on your property. Aside from the fact that it's fairly cruel as well...

They have what are called "scat mats" though they're kinda pricey. Essentailly a low voltage mat you can lay on stuff, and the offending critter gets a mild, non-damaging shock. Enough for a deterrent, not enough to harm. Usually around $50 or so. Some can be run off of cigarette lighters, 9 volt batteries, or standard household current.

I used to have the same issue. Never got a scratch, but it was annoying to find paw prints all over. Hehe, I do remember a funny one though: Did a real thorough wax and Rain-X'ed the windows. Next day instead of paw prints, there were skid marks.