Really need some advice.

[avebury]

I do not have a garage so my car sits in the driveway. One of the stray cats in the area had 5 kittens, 2 of whom decided to check out the engine of my car ( ). I think that I have gotten them out but does anybody have any suggestions as to what I can do to keep them out of my engine in the future?

[Voice for Peace]

1. my first and foremost advice is make SURE you got them out.

Other than that I can't help, sorry

[avebury]

2. One thing for sure, the restaurant is now

closed permanently. Momma and the rest of the strays will have to find someplace else to go. This is hard because I really like one of the strays.

[Festivito]

3. Pound on the hood, listen, get in, honk, wait...

Best to open the hood each day, but at some point even cats can win Darwin awards.

Make sure the food is well away from the car.

[newfie11]

7. I second that!!!!! Nt

[Curmudgeoness]

4. I don't think that there is a way to keep them out

but as suggested above, try to scare them out in case they are there before you start the car. I may suggest that as the weather warms up, cats would not want to be up there. When it gets hot, they will not want the warmth.

[IrishAyes]

5. KEEP them out?

Might be impossible. But I always slapped my hand rather smartly on the hood of any vehicle before getting in to start the engine. Never can tell what might've crawled up there. People have even found snakes!

Some of my habits seem weird to a lot of people, but there's always a good reason behind them. I can't put my feet in shoes I haven't clapped together to scare out alien residents or put on any clothes I haven't first shaken out a smart snap or two, etc. I NEVER put my fingers anywhere I can't see, for instance. Those Disney and 'Wilderness Family' movies used to drive me wild with all the stupid, ignorant, incredibly dangerous things they did and lived to influence other urbanites to follow suit. Sheesh!

Please don't let me get started on Disney-raised people who try to instruct me on animal management, especially horses. I was lunging my mare one time, reviewing various commands directed by the position of the whip, and this fool almost turns me homicidal by starting to rant about how I should not 'apply' force. She wouldn't shut up. I never wanted to murder anyone so bad in my life, and I did NOT have time or temperament to tell her nicely more than once to shut the hell up. That mare was so spook proof because I used to crack the whip inches from her body, including the head, w/o touching her and she trusted her safety and comfort in my hands completely. Most real horse people hated that movie about 'The Horse Whisperer' because it embodied so much popular ignorance.

Sorry - I did get started! Doesn't take much. Give me an inch....

[eridani]

6. Erma Bombeck strongly advised against Disney lore when camping

"Forget Disney. Not all bears have their own television shows. Some are unemployed wild animals."

[IrishAyes]

8. Thanks for a good laugh!

Don't get me wrong - I revere nature and all that it holds. But I respect the fact that it's notoriously red in tooth and claw as well. Every time people want their picture taken with 'tame' bears, for instance, I always think about that pseudo-nature-boy who got himself and his girlfriend truly 'at one' with the grizzlies - for dinner.

BTW, I LOVE your signature line!

[eridani]

10. The quote is from Tom Robbin's Another Roadside Attraction

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9570.Another_Roadside_Attraction

[Sunlei]

9. you won't be able to keep them out if you live in a cold area.

Kindest thing to do is get a catch em live trap (some humane societies will lend them to you or they are inexpensive) catch your 'stray' and have her spayed by your vet. Maybe you can catch the kittens and rehome some of them (craigs list ad can find homes fast for tiny kittens, especially with a pic) or take them to the humane society.

If your're feeding them they will hang around and it would be inhumane to just stop feeding because they will starve to death. Especially if it's winter.

[IrishAyes]

11. Be careful of Craig's List

That's where a lot of fighting dog owners get live treats for free.

[Sunlei]

12. yes, I agree be carefull with craigs list. I have had very good results.

I place up some pics with some text on thurs-friday, and only use the craigs list email for contact. I call their phone number from their email to screen them a bit and give actual directions to the one who seems like the best home.

I let people come out early am Sat because thats when many people are off work and the whole family can come see. I always make sure I have a friend or family member with me.

You're right though, people have to be very carefull with craigs list and never place your phone number or actual address for all to view.

Be very carefull who is given a 'free' animal. dog fighters may be looking for live bait.

It is a known fact- horse traders are looking for free horses. They will bring out the entire family , kids and all for a free horse. Lie and then dump the poor horse at a slaughter auction to make 50 bucks. The auctions do not require any ownership proof what so ever. Many horses are stolen and dumped at the 100s of auctions by these criminals for a fast buck.

A horse could be stolen or taken from its field in the am, sold at auction for 100 bucks during the day and crammed in a semi truck on the way to mexico slaughter that night. They just fake the paper they sign that says its their horse.