GB2421167A

GB2421167A - Cat deterrent sticks

Info

Publication number: GB2421167A
Application number: GB0508286A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anita Schaper
Original assignee: PEPPERMINT GARDEN Ltd
Current assignee: PEPPERMINT GARDEN Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-15
Filing date: 2005-04-25
Publication date: 2006-06-21
Also published as: GB0508286D0

Abstract

A physical barrier against cats fouling land consisting of a cluster of two or more straight, curved or looped sticks or similarly-shaped objects 1 which are either pushed into the ground 11 in the target area 2 to a specific height 3 and depth 4 and distance 5 between each stick, or mounted on a base (9) to be usable on both land and hard surfaces. Preferably the sticks are impregnated with a cat repellent ingredient. Cats are deterred from squatting down to foul because of the position of the sticks and the duration they are in position.

Description

CAT DETERRENT STICKS The invention relates to sticks and similarly-shaped objects which act as a physical barrier against cats fouling land and which are either not impregnated or impregnated with an olfactory active ingredient of a type that repels cats without harming or distressing them. Cat repellent products, such as granules, liquids and powders are well known, but suffer from the disadvantage of being reliant solely on the effectiveness of the active ingredient. They, therefore, only repel cats before the active ingredient disperses, which limits their usefulness. The object of this invention is to provide a barrier that physically prevents cats from fouling land all year round, which is either not impregnated or is additionally impregnated with a cat repellent ingredient. Accordingly, this invention consists of a cluster of two or more straight, curved or looped sticks or similarly-shaped objects, inserted into the ground or mounted on a base so as to be usable on both land and hard surfaces, and of a spacing and height irritating to cats attempting to foul an area of land, and either not impregnated or impregnated with a cat-repellent ingredient. As creatures of habit, cats regularly foul in the same area, particularly in gardens, flower beds and borders. When used in a cluster, the sticks provide an effective means of preventing cats from fouling in a target area, breaking the cyclical nature of this feline activity by their physical presence and odour.As a physical barrier, the sticks remain effective as long as they are kept in position, whilst the effectiveness of their olfactory repellent decreases slowly as it evaporates or is washed out of the sticks by the weather. Preferably, the sticks are made from wood and are either not impregnated or impregnated with a cat-repellent ingredient, any cat repellent ingredient being used either singly or as part of a mixture. Made this way, being a natural product, each stick would be unique in its colour and texture. Alternatively, the sticks may be made of other natural or synthetic absorbent materials. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side view of sticks in position in a cluster in the ground in a target area; FIGURE 2 shows a side view of sticks in position in a cluster in the ground in a target area and a cat trying to squat down to foul in the target area; FIGURE 3 shows a side view of sticks in position in a cluster mounted on a base on the ground in a target area and a cat trying to squat down to foul in the target area; FIGURE 4 shows a side view of how the sticks might look when surrounded in the target area by plants an flowers. As shown in Figure 1, the sticks 1 are shown side-on in a cluster in a target area of land 2 where the cat fouling problem exists and pushed into the ground 11 to a specific height 3, depth 4 and distance 5 between each stick. Figure 2 shows what happens when a cat 6 tries to squat down in the target area 2 where the sticks 1 are in position in the ground 11. The cat is, in effect, deterred from squatting down to foul at position 7 because of the spacing 5 and height 3 of the sticks. Figure 3 shows what happens when a cat 6 tries to squat down in the target area 2 where the sticks are in position inserted in holes 8 in a base 9 on the ground 11. The cat is, in effect, deterred from squatting down to foul at position 7 because of the base 9, spacing 5 and height 3 of the sticks. Figure 4 shows sticks 1 unobtrusive and discreet when placed in the ground 11 in the target area 2 amongst plants and flowers 10. For up to three months after the sticks have been in position, cats may return to a target area 2 hoping to foul it, but will be deterred and leave without fouling.After that period, they will normally go elsewhere. An example of the invention would be a group of either straight, curved or looped wooden sticks or similar shaped objects which are either not impregnated or impregnated with an olfactory cat-repellent ingredient, cut to lengths approximating to the height above ground of a cat's rump, and inserted into the ground in a garden or mounted on a base so as to be usable on both land and hard surfaces, and at spacings designed to impede a cat attempting to walk through them.

Claims

1. A cluster of two or more straight, curved or looped sticks or similarly-shaped objects inserted into the ground or mounted on a base so as to be usable on both land and hard surfaces, and of a height irritating to cats attempting to foul an area of land, and either not impregnated or impregnated with a cat repellent ingredient, any cat repellent ingredient being used either singly or as part of a mixture.

2. A cluster of sticks as claimed in Claim 1 where the physical barrier deters cats from squatting down to foul land.

3. A cluster of sticks as claimed in Claim 1 where the physical barrier and its duration in position breaks a cycle of cats fouling land.

4. A cluster of sticks as claimed in any preceding claim which are either not impregnated or impregnated or coated with, or soaked or dipped in, or otherwise treated with a cat repellent ingredient, any cat repellent ingredient being used either singly or as part of a mixture.

5. A cluster of sticks as claimed in any preceding claim which is made out of wood, plastic or other material used singly or in combination.

6. A cluster of sticks substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.