How Can We Keep the Neighborhood Cat Out of Our Yard?

You could always call animal control. Most towns around the area have rules about animals not being out of their yard without a leash. May be a wake up call for the owner.

Well, I know for quite a few animals, marking your territory works well. Have your husband and sons (if you have any) go out after dark and pee a perimeter!
Otherwise, check the garden dept. at the hardware store, I think they have a powder you can put down that is supposed to work.

Hello K., I wonder if this was a pet gone wild or one that someone was rude enough to drop off becasue they couldn't keep it anymore?? I have adopted a wild cat. He is nice~~ sleeps all day but will not stay home at night -- mostly stays in the garage. I know I have had people call me from 6 blocks away that have found his collar (once I got him to wear one)!
I know the vet told us that a cat only brings gifts if it likes someone. Thankfully he doesn't like me as much as the one you have does you!!!
I can say that a cat cage so that you can then take it to animal control, or post a picture of the cat where it can be seen and a sign telling the owners to keep it inside. We actually tried to keep ours inside but he went nuts and so did we. I got him so he could be company for my husband since he was in a hospital bed and didn't get around much. I really wish you lots of luck becasue I know this will be a hard one.

Have you checked with any of your neighbors that have yards bordering your fence if they have a wandering cat, or have had problems with the same cat in their yard? Maybe you can find someone else who is willing to get closer and read its collar(or maybe attach a note to it). You could call animal control if they can get there while it's still in your yard, as most communities have "leash" laws- but many pet owners would prefer a phone call from a neighbor instead of having their pet lost at a shelter. There are some things the owner can do, such as making sure the cat is neutered or spayed, keeping it indoors as much as possible especially at night, and not leaving food outside.
You can spray the cat with water(hose or spray bottle), every single time you see it in your yard. Cats don't like water, or the sound of a spray bottle. This way you would be training it to stay out of your yard.
Also, here's a web site that lists smelly sprays and motion-detecting sprinklers: http://cats.about.com/od/behaviortraining/tp/comldeterren...

I second Laurie's idea. Keep a spray bottle that shoots far in the fridge & spray the cat every time it comes in your yard. A little cold water never hurt anybody...

you can buy the powdered predator urine, plant lavender, or put mothballs in jars and punch holes in the lids (make sure the kids can't get the lids off). Cats don't like the smells of any of these... or you can go high-tech and get an electric repellent that makes a high-frequency noise that keeps them away (although, it might affect other neighborhood animals, so I would only use it if you have a TON of space...) Another recommendation is to plant catnip or catgrass (you can buy them at pet stores) in a place you don't mind the cat going... like in the front yard or something...

Our cat does not leave the yard. The way we trained her is to put a sprayer on the water hose , my husband climbed up on the roof and any time she tried to leave the yard, he would squirt her.. You could try this but for the opposite reason.. Squirt the cat to keep it out of your yard..

Well he must like you cause he's bringing you offerings.
They only bring stuff to people they like.
Check your local petsmart, target or petco, they should have something. Just ask at the pet stores. Also it could have lived in your house before you did , if he's not skidish check his collar, he might be lost from his family.

Go to the hardware store, they do have some pet repellant that will not harm animals but it is supposed to keep them away. It comes in a jug type container and is granular, you can sprinkle it in some of your bedding areas and shouls help. Good luck

go to a big gardener's nursery or maybe even a larger home improvment store. look for a product i think called "invisible fence". it is supposed to stop deer, bunnies, etc from nibbling on your grden. perhaps it would work for cats? otherwise, i think they sell old school animal pee/musk scent product (same theory as another poster mentioned about "marking territory"). if cats smell the "marking" of a large predator, perhaps they'll stay away.

sprinklers, lol! great idea. i was just going to say that walmart or any store really, will have "pet repellant". kind of a pain but if you do it a few times maybe the cat will get the message. although sprinklers sound like less of a hassle! good luck! (too bad, like someone said, because if she is bringing you "gifts" it does mean she likes you lol!)

Moth balls.....you may have to put them out again after awhile but moth balls. A cheap and inexpensive way to deter them and it works on snakes too-lol!

if it's hanging out in your yard, call animal control.