Someone Is Putting Cat Food in My Front Yard

lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 11:55
Last edited 13/11/2024 - 12:25 by 1 other user

There is someone who puts cat food on a plastic tray in a corner of my driveway. I noticed these cats always hang around my driveway. A couple of nights ago I came home and after I parked and got out of my car and went to get my passenger side to get my dog out of the car.

I heard a sound. Looked at the driveway and some idiot speeding just hit this young cat and sped off. There was blood everywhere and one eye had come out a bit from the socket. The cat was still shaking so I put her into a box and took her to the hospital but I reckon she was gone. I got blood all over me and some on the car as well. There was blood leaking out of the box as I was carrying her into the hospital.

This probably wouldn't have happened if the guy putting food on my driveway didn't do it. Not even sure why he does. The cat was hanging around the food in my driveway, when I parked and got out of the car, it got spooked and ran out on to the road. I went to the driveway after I came back home and sure enough there was food in a tray there for the cats. It's been happening for months now. They hide it in the bushes in my front driveway.

I had moved the food yesterday morning, someone had dropped off another tray with food in the night, which I moved that tray of food, and then this morning, they had put more food in the front and also walked down my driveway to get to the other 2 trays of food I had moved.

So it seems this person is checking the food at least twice a day?? Plus getting brazen enough to now walk down the driveway to get the older trays I had moved towards the side gate.

Any ideas on the motives of this person? Are they targeting me, or just trying to feed stray cats (although if it's the latter, then why not their own driveway or the nearby park or the dead end quiet side streets, instead of my driveway which leads to a somewhat busy road.

Or is it to move cats away from their property? Now I don't mind someone trying to help cats out and I don't mind having cats near my house. But after see this cat doing cartwheels when it got smashed by the car. And then writhing in pain for minutes while blood was pouring out and the eye popped out of the socket. I still can't get that image of the poor cat out of my mind. It was quite young and seemed quite friendly too. It didn't deserve it and while I am pissed at the driver who was speeding and it was a wide open road with not a single other car at that time of night or parked car nearby. The driver didn't swerve or brake or stop after hitting the cat.

I still also hold this other person putting cat food in that spot somewhat responsible as it's right next to the road.

Home & Garden Cat Food Pet Food

Comments

  • YeemaiI on 13/11/2024 - 12:00
    +6

    Have you asked them to stop?

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:02
      +4

      I dont know who it is, I was going to write out a note and leave it except After what has happened today is them coming all the way down my driveway to get the older trays of food that they had left which i had moved further down towards my bins area, means they know i am moving their food away from the location or even throwing it away and they didnt seem to care.

      Still planning to write out a note and let them know a cat died partly due to what they have been doing and see if that changes anything.

      • YeemaiI on 13/11/2024 - 12:04

        Surely if it's been happening for months now (daily, at that), you'd at least have seen the guy?

        • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:06

          Never seen the person, Seems to happen when i am either not home or early morning when i am indoors.. I am not in my front yard much besides when i go to drive my car somewhere. After the incident with the cat being hit. I have asked one of my neighbours, but they havent seen anyone. I live in a house area as in no apartments, its all just properties with front yards. So i am not sure if i am being specifically targeted

          • Widget on 14/11/2024 - 11:35
            +9

            @lonewolf: Sounds like you gotta grab yourself a cheap little outdoor camera.

            • Daabido on 15/11/2024 - 21:33

              @Widget: Sounds like you gotta grab a large man who is willing to spend one night overnight on vigil, and then scare the shit out of them.

              • Widget on 15/11/2024 - 21:51

                @Daabido: Why do 'I' need to grab a large man? Cheap camera would be better, unless a crime is being committed (like vandalism or theft of some sort, then staying up might work)

          • kati on 15/11/2024 - 11:01

            @lonewolf: You don't happen to live in or near Burwood NSW by any chance, do you? Someone is leaving cat food out around here too :(

            • lonewolf on 15/11/2024 - 20:53

              @kati: Actually not too far, I live in belfield.

      • gromit on 15/11/2024 - 16:35

        surely you aren't just moving it, you are throwing away the food and the bowls/tray/plates right?

        • lonewolf on 15/11/2024 - 20:53

          I initially threw them away, and then once i moved them further into my drive way when people were saying maybe the person is trying to feed the cats for a particular reason. so i wanted to try to figure out what was going on as this person was doing it morning and night. but i only moved it once, the other times i have always thrown them out.

  • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 12:03
    +34

    Set up a cheap camera to find the culprit.

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:05

      Yeah that is something i am definitely looking to get done, Just a matter of what i can buy. I struggle to find a electrician who wants to do small jobs these days, so it will have to be a setup that is off batteries so i can probably set it up myself.

      • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 12:07
        +8

        Plenty of wireless security camera deals from Amazon pop up on here for $50. DIY install.

        • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:08

          Do i need to screw them into the wall? Or can i leave them just standing upright? Reason why i ask is, i have a balcony that is right above the driveway, so that will have a perfect view of the front of the driveway. And its quite high, so if i put it on the balcony, then the person probably cant damage it either.

          • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 12:11
            +1

            @lonewolf: Some of the smaller units come with straps and magnets or stands to hold the camera. That may work in your situation.

            • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:13

              @MS Paint: Do you know if these cameras can work through glass as well? As in the balcony is from the master bedroom. So I could technically set up a camera on a stand or chair inside the room right at the glass door that goes to the balcony and also overlooks the driveway.

              • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 12:18
                +1

                @lonewolf: It will work through glass but you may get unwanted reflections etc depending on the light (internal bedroom lights, position of the sun etc).

                • eug on 13/11/2024 - 23:12
                  +2

                  @MS Paint: If reflections are a problem you can tape some dark cloth around it the same way you'd 'tent' your hands around your eyes pressed up against the glass if you want to look through without reflections.

                  In any case make sure you turn off any IR LEDs on the camera too.

                  • SnoozeAndLose on 15/11/2024 - 11:05

                    @eug: Turning off any IR LEDs will impact the night version and it is impossible to see clearly who it is unless Op's house is right under the street light.

                    • eug on 20/11/2024 - 14:35

                      @SnoozeAndLose: Turning on any IR LEDs will result in a bright reflection off the window.

                      Those little LEDs won't do much all the way down a driveway anyway.

        • SillySorjai on 14/11/2024 - 23:50
          +2

          A cheap tapo c200 could easily do the job for you OP

          Maybe have a look if you can nab a cheap one from black Friday sales

          You'll need a memory card though

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/11/2024 - 12:09
        +2

        Looking on Amazon by searching ‘solar security camera’ looks like there’s options from $80 with next day delivery. Prob the easiest and added bonus of increasing your home security :)

        • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:18

          Didnt realise there were security cameras powered by solar.

          • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 12:22
            +4

            @lonewolf: They are powered by a battery. The solar just keeps the battery charged.

            • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:23

              @MS Paint: ah ok. Interesting idea. Are all these types of cameras require SD cards or do they send the data to a network drive? I have plenty of storage on my NAS bays.

              • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 12:29
                +2

                @lonewolf: You can save to an SD card in the camera or link to your Wi-Fi and save to an app cloud setup. Some charge for the cloud setup. Some are free. Depends on the brand.

              • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/11/2024 - 12:38
                +1

                @lonewolf: I can’t say for the others but I use imou ones at work and home. They can use sd card or you can pay for premium sub.

                The solar imou iirc do not support rtsp/onif

          • spackbace on 13/11/2024 - 12:46
            +2

            @lonewolf: I personally have 2 out my front area:
            1 - Ring camera with solar panel. Gets clear image, especially at night, and gets enough sun to always be powered. This is mounted to the gutter
            2 - TP-link cam in the front window. This just sits on the window sill, inside. Records 24/7 (unlike the ring which just gets movement) so sometimes picks up on movement which the ring doesn't get

            Does the job. Either of those options should be fine for you

            • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:03

              @spackbace: I think my bro got the Ring cameras, but the TP-link sounds liek something i can use from inside my room. Only question is if this person then resorts to only put the food at night.

              • spackbace on 13/11/2024 - 15:07

                @lonewolf: Leave an outside light on?

                • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:13

                  @spackbace: I have a sensor light for my front door but the light from that doesnt reach as far as the end of the driveway / front yard. so it will be be shadow/ possibly partial glimpse of a face might be possible.

                  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/11/2024 - 19:47

                    @lonewolf: Most cameras if not all have infrared mode which does quite well even at 7-8m.

                    Otherwise some solar cams also have light built in. The imou ones I am using can be set to flash their light which could be a better deterrent as it may get attention of passer bys

      • ilikeverycheapstuff on 14/11/2024 - 13:57

        Wyze cam v3. Bought it initially for my 3d printer but after finding that the quality is pretty decent, been using as a security camera for when im away.

        Has motion detection and a magnetic base so you can attach it to a gutter or something.

  • Porker on 13/11/2024 - 12:03
    +10

    I'd like to hear the end of this story, but alas unlikely to ever know the truth/reason

    Could perhaps put up a sign to inform of the situation? However, if the food placement is deliberate or vindictive, then the sign is likely to result in more food!

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:09

      I was going to leave a note down there explaining what happened to the cat, but also i started to think that may not help as you stated, it may be these guys are doing it on purpose knowing i dont want the food there.

      • localhost on 13/11/2024 - 15:40
        +5

        Just write in the note: Thanks for very delicious food. I loved it but my dog don't. Please leave some for dogs as well.

        • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:44

          lol, that would be funny.

  • rawm on 13/11/2024 - 12:07
    +14

    Bikies

  • stuffandthat on 13/11/2024 - 12:29
    +6

    Setup a camera, have them charged for trespassing.

    • yokel on 14/11/2024 - 21:32
      +1

      God damn lochness monster wanting tree fiddy

  • FoxJump on 13/11/2024 - 12:32
    +2

    What happens the next day?
    ie, over night a tray appears with food

    the morning later, is the tray still there with left over food, does it get re-filled?

    what if you move the tray slightly more toward your house?
    and then put a trip wire

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 12:34

      The tray gets refilled nd now they leave a second tray with water. I have tried moving the food trays away, they decided to walk further into my yard to pick up the trays of food i had moved.

      • FoxJump on 13/11/2024 - 12:35
        +2

        actually
        move it in to a constant location further into your house
        for a few days
        so they get used to it.

        THEN put the trip wire.

      • FoxJump on 13/11/2024 - 12:40
        +2

        for a less evil approach than trip wire, perhaps paint in chank the surrounding area of the cat food. That way, they'll leave chalk marks when they walk away from your house.
        or maybe glitter as that thing is nasty.

        • Mugsy on 14/11/2024 - 07:14

          I thought you were gonna say paint in chalk the outline of a person.

          • WastedWombat on 14/11/2024 - 10:47

            @Mugsy: I thought they were gonna say paint the chalk outline of the poor deceased cat 😭

  • joka on 13/11/2024 - 12:34
    +3

    Well that was an interesting read.

    Are the trays store brought or the ones that come with the food? Keep the trays. Surely he will get sick of buying trays.

    Get one of these

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:01
      +1

      The trays are plastic container types, so possibly food does come in them, they are transparent and quite wide / large. Looks more like people microwaveable dinner trays than what pet food would come in. I spoke to my neighbour, she is really upset that its going to bring rats to our area and told me i should immediately chuck them out.

      that camera looks good. might be what i need.

      • terriblebargainer on 14/11/2024 - 09:13
        +4

        Agree with your neighbour, why would you move them further into your property and not just throw them in the bin? Are you concerned this idiot will want the trays back? If so even more reason to bin them.

        Cheap solar / wifi camera and consider contacting the council about the number stray cats.

  • morse on 13/11/2024 - 12:57
    +1

    Who have you pissed off lately?

    or did you move in recently and possibly the last tenant/owner used to feed stray cats?

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 14:56

      I have been living there for 9 years and havent really pissed anyone off as i keep to myself. I am the only one of my race in that area and there were a couple of comments in the local cafe as i walked by a couple of times years ago but nothing like that these days. My rear neighbour was a bit problematic in their expectations of my backyard or trees etc but i believe theyhave moved out as i see different people in that house these days. I live next to a catholic primary school and a very popular church.

      • morse on 13/11/2024 - 14:57
        +4

        primary school

        Maybe it's kids doing it

        • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 15:31
          +1

          Maybe it's the priest

        • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:37

          I have been considering possibly a prank or something but the kids will need to have acccess to unlimited supply of petfood and trays plus most of the kids i see are walking with their parents / being picked up by their parents.

      • simplystu on 13/11/2024 - 17:29
        +4

        Since you live next to a primary school - I'm thinking, "kids trying to do a good deed" ???

        Way back in my primary school days (1990'ish), there used to be this house opposite our school. Always stray cats hanging around it, and they looked severely malnourished/emancipated.

        So, we started leaving dishes of food for them - both on way to school and on way home.

        • SpainKing on 14/11/2024 - 13:00
          +1

          Emancipated -
          1: to free from restraint, control, or the power of another
          especially : to free from bondage
          2: to release from parental care and responsibility and make sui juris
          3: to free from any controlling influence (such as traditional mores or beliefs)

          You probably just got autocorrected but the word you were looking for is emaciated. Still a very sweet story

        • lonewolf on 16/11/2024 - 23:29

          Thing is, we never had stray cats near our area till they started putting food out, i think i may have seen a couple on a neighbouring street near the park, but its like we got more cats once they started putting food out. but i was wondering if its kids then again i noticed its happening on weekends as well. This morning there was a small piece of meat or fish and tonight there was a tray but it was empty by the time i got to it so i think the cat had already eaten from it

  • nige0090 on 13/11/2024 - 14:03

    Install a wifi/battery camera that is as visible as possible the location where they are leaving the food.
    Even if you don't capture footage of the person, a camera may discourage them.

    When you say "in a corner of my driveway", do you mean within your property boundary, or on the verge crossover?

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:06
      -1

      inside my property. He puts it in a corner in my front yard, next to the driveway but behind some of my plants / bushes.

      I then moved them last night towards my garage door further inland. Today morning he had come and taken both trays of food and then this time put more food without a tray this time under the plants again.

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 14:54

      my friend told me something similar, The reason why i used the graphic nature was to show the horrific nature of it as well as how i felt having to try to save the cat while the driver just sped off and the person putting food down either doesnt know or doesnt care. There is still a big blood stain where the cat was writhing in pain as i attempted to calm her down enough to put her into the box and take her to the hospital. I am still fuming at the scenario and how it should never have happened.. and didnt need to happen if it wasnt for selfish or thoughtless people involved.

        • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:40
          +1

          Next.

          • WhyAmICommenting on 15/11/2024 - 13:13
            +2

            @lonewolf: Just wanted to say I’m really sorry this happened to you - it sounds very distressing.

            • lonewolf on 16/11/2024 - 23:36

              @WhyAmICommenting: Thanks mate, I have to say, it was actually much worse in person that what i wrote. I drive a lot so i had seen road kill before but usually after the fact. I did once see a dog get hit, the driver didnt know what to do , so i got a box and put the dog in it and took him to the animal hospital near that area. The owners came in just as i was leaving . The dog actually survived , it was hit and then run over by a driver selfish enough to not drive around while all the drivers in between at least drove around the dog.

              But this was much worse, the SUV didnt slow down or swerve or anything. Did not care and just went right through and the noises i heard during and the scenes i saw after were far worse than anything i had previously. It was also possibly different as i was there in person right up there when things were still happening.

        • mbck on 13/11/2024 - 15:55
          +5

          Your comment triggers me. Please delete. Thanks

        • Ghost47 on 13/11/2024 - 20:09
          +4

          Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It wouldn't hurt people to see other living beings going through trauma every once in a while IMO, heck it might even make people a bit more compassionate.

    • SuperMid on 14/11/2024 - 20:56

      Lol go hide in a safe room somewhere

    • Silentin on 15/11/2024 - 17:59

      Why is this being down voted? I'm okay reading it but I know people who would be triggered. Same sickos upvoting probably love the gore.

  • neo on 13/11/2024 - 14:46
    +5

    Can't wait to see the video footage, get onto that ASAP

  • mapax on 13/11/2024 - 15:10
    -3

    How do you know the person was speeding?

    Set some cage traps. Catch the cats. Take cats to the pound for rehousing or euthanasia. Problem solved.

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:12

      I live on that street, i have seen when cars go at normal speed as opposed to speeding. Its a long wide road and only 1 speed hump next to the school and church, this was past that. Not another car on the road. There are quite a few hoons that go on this road, this guy wasnt one of them but still was going faster than the 50km/h

  • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 15:10
    +3

    I am actually worried that if i annoy them or take a hard stance against them, that they may then damage my car or my property.

    • El cheepo on 13/11/2024 - 15:24
      +5

      Then the answer is the same as what people told you about catching the culprit- set up a couple of cheap cameras discreetly and cover yourself.

  • Dollar General on 13/11/2024 - 15:19
    +2

    Set up some rat traps and hope the person steps on them. Saw it happen in a cartoon

  • nfr on 13/11/2024 - 15:57
    +10

    Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

    Probably someone who thinks they are helping stray cats. Your driveway just happens to be where they first notice the cats.

    My in laws used to do the same thing. When you feed stray cats instead of rescue them, you always create problems for the neighbourhood. But the feeders feels good about themselves.

    • lonewolf on 13/11/2024 - 16:09

      yes true, Thats why initially i just left the trays there, i thought maybe there was a decent motive for why this person was doing it and then it just seemed to get worse and then after the cat accident. I thought this has to stop now.

    • Loopholio on 14/11/2024 - 10:35
      +2

      If you continue to leave the trays of food on your property the person leaving them likely thinks your fine with it. It's unlikely that this person is aggressive, bin all containers as soon as you see them.

      If you do find out who it is and where they live contact your local council they may be able to send a letter and catch a bunch of stray cats.

  • JIMB0 on 13/11/2024 - 17:55
    -4

    Coat the trays with dogshit so they'll get it all over their hands when picking them up. Setup the camera first to capture their reaction.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 15/11/2024 - 13:15

      Funny but probably not worth it. Cat poo could be more plausible.

  • Ghost47 on 13/11/2024 - 19:45
    +1

    Any ideas on the motives of this person?

    Well, where do you live? In an area with a large local population? Or one with lots of immigrants (i.e. people who may have lived in a completely different society where feeding wildlife seems sensible)? Because knowing who lives in the area could tell you more about the motives of the person.

    For example if you live in Toorak or Vaucluse and someone is doing this you could attribute it to malice but if you live somewhere like Dandenong or Parramatta then maybe it can be explained simply due to stupidity or ignorance and people not understanding local customs.

    Are they targeting me, or just trying to feed stray cats (although if it's the latter, then why not their own driveway or the nearby park or the dead end quiet side streets, instead of my driveway which leads to a somewhat busy road.

    Because they're a weirdo who thinks it's ok to do this. People stupidly feed birds on their balconies in the city, thinking they're doing something good when they really shouldn't be feeding any wildlife at all. A person I lived with used to feed birds on the balcony all the time, guess what happened, the birds came back to the balcony every afternoon to get food and shat all over the downstairs neighbour's courtyard and all over the handrail. It was disgusting, but did they [the person feeding] realise that or did they even think further ahead of "I WaNt To FeEd ThE BiRdIeS!!1!11"? Not until I told them what the effects of their actions were. How would most people feel if the person upstairs was feeding birds resulting in bird crap all over their courtyard? I would be pissed if it happened and I would be thankful for people who are smart enough to not do it in the first place.

    Or is it to move cats away from their property? Now I don't mind someone trying to help cats out and I don't mind having cats near my house. But after see this cat doing cartwheels when it got smashed by the car. And then writhing in pain for minutes while blood was pouring out and the eye popped out of the socket. I still can't get that image of the poor cat out of my mind.

    It could be to move cats away from their property. If that's the case then they are simply an inconsiderate, selfish and evil arsehole (although that's the way our general society has been heading the past 10-15 years so it isn't that surprising). Sorry you had to see a cat go through that, I've seen videos of that kind of stuff and it really isn't pleasant at all. Cats can be very skittish. I ran over a cat years ago trying to avoid it, I felt horrible about it but then I realised that I changed lanes the other side of the road to keep away from it, it just foolishly decided to run onto the road again after crossing it. A quick death in that case is the best thing for the cat.

    If the person is doing this every day I suggest you just sit by the window and keep an eye out, when they do it run outside and give them an earful and threaten them that you will go to the police. Obviously make sure you're recording the encounter and it's probably worth taking photos of the trays every day as well so you have evidence of it happening on a regular basis.

    • lonewolf on 14/11/2024 - 10:34
      +1

      I live in belfield, From what i have seen, majority population would be the lebanese community and the neighbouring suburbs on one side is Asian community and the other side would be a larger lebanese community.

      Frankly I didnt realise how much i would be affected by what i saw that night, but the first night i could hardly sleep. And the second and third night has been a bit better but it still randomly just pops up in my head and i experience it all over again.

  • DoctorCalculon on 13/11/2024 - 19:52
    +2

    FFS! Just install some security cameras. Almost all Reolink cameras have animal, human and vehicle detection.

  • Goremans on 13/11/2024 - 21:57
    -1

    The answer is easy - put a Go Pro on one of the cats 🙂 you're welcome!

  • figarow on 13/11/2024 - 22:39

    You got hungry Neighbours?

  • AustriaBargain on 13/11/2024 - 22:46
    +8

    You think this person is spending money and time on cat food to piss you off or get cats run over? Maybe leave a note under the bowl kindly explaining a cat was run over and asking that they feed the cats somewhere safer, away from your property. Thank them for their efforts in the note too. Doesn't matter if you don't mean it, but it could avoid drama down the line, saving you time and pace of mind.

    • lonewolf on 14/11/2024 - 10:30

      There can be many reasons from what people have told me. I have seen people spend a lot of money to piss / prank other people . But it could also be to get cats away from their area or even to get rid of the cats altogether as they may see them as a pest. My place is actually a weird spot to feed cats due to the vicinity of side roads andhow close to a busy road it is. But most likley i think they are trying to help the cats, although still why dont they put their food on their own lawn then? Thats what i would do if i wanted to help cats, i would want to also be able to see the cats and get pleasure at seeing them eat etc.

      They also (by now) should know that i dont want them doing it as they would have noticed the food trays being thrown away . They still keep doing it.

  • Cherry12 on 14/11/2024 - 01:47
    +4

    This is very similar to what cat rescue charities do when they notice an area where many strays hang around; however, they usually do it on abandon or public places.

    I think that the person doing it means well. Nobody would spend that much money on food for a prank. I would leave a note explaining the cat's dead and put a camera. I would also contact the local cat charities, they may help you put your traps to rescue the stray cats that hang around your house.

    • chichi on 14/11/2024 - 13:18
      +2

      Agree. I doubt someone is doing it out of malice.

  • Euphemistic on 14/11/2024 - 07:53
    +2

    We had a stray cat at our workplace. Used to live under a building. Someone started leaving dishes of milk and food out for it in the hope of catching/rescuing the cat. I left befroe it was resolved, but it wasn't pleasant finding manky food in a dish.

    First put up a sign asking them to do it elsewhere. Keep it short and simple. 'Please stop leaving food for cats'. If necessary add 'its attracting pests' If it continues, resort to more drastic measures.

  • Mugsy on 14/11/2024 - 08:39
    +1

    OP, regarding the security cameras, there's options of all sorts depending on how much you want to invest into this and the results you need.

    I had to set up security cameras over the past few months at a new house build to keep an eye on the place and went through a variety of options. As getting an electrician out to hardwire the motion tracking floodlight cams I wanted was gonna take 3 weeks, I initially bought 6x internal Tapo security cameras that I set up sitting on window frames and looking outside. During the day, they would work great and the motion detection meant they'd track anything that moves around (even picked up on a tradie peeing on the side of my house). Night time they'd be useless as all it would see is its reflection on the glass.

    Eventually, I got my combination of hardwired, wifi, motion detection, floodlight cameras hooked up. They basically just replaced the cheap outdoor lights supplied by the builder so did not require further drilling/laying of electrical cables. And being wifi, it was relatively easy to set up.

    I had also purchased a security camera kit with 2x battery powered wifi cameras to complement the hardwired cameras where there was a blindspot in coverage. I used gutter mounts so didn't need to drill the mount into the walls.

    I suggest going with the Eufy brand… their system is built around using what they call a 'homebase' located inside your house in order to store footage. Therefore, if the camera is stolen, your footage remains on the homebase. After market gutter mounts are plentiful for eufy and even the Orion brand of security camera gutter mounts found at Bunnings will work.

    The cameras also has an alarm feature if you need to deter this person from continuing to drop off cat food and water, though, I would do what Euphemistic said and escalate to the police if they continue. You may want a security camera at the front to try to identify which property they come from.

    In my case, we had a few trespassers at our new house (there's been a bit of theft or attempted theft in the estate). We decided to build a front, block wall fence with driveway gate to make it a bit harder for people to trespass.

    • lonewolf on 14/11/2024 - 10:37

      I am going to get the wireless ones initially and see how i go with them, Just trying to figure out which ones are best. As I do want the storage if possible to be on my NAS drives or cloud or something and not just on the camera but if thats considerably cheaper then i may go down that route.

      Is it easy to go through the footage as i would assume i would need to go through like 6-8 hour of footage to catch them.

      • Mugsy on 14/11/2024 - 10:51

        More than likely, you won't have the camera on continuous recording.

        The cameras will record when they detect motion and you can often set the camera to differentiate between animals, people and cars if you don't want them to record particular things.

        Unless there's a lot of activity for the area that's in view, you'll be able to look through a series of short recordings for each day and be able to identify the culprit pretty easily.

        As for saving to your NAS drives, I don't use NAS drives myself so haven't had to look into which brand of security cameras will integrate with them.

        If all you care about is having the footage not stored on a microSD card on the camera itself, then something like this may suffice:

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/eufy-security-2c-4-camera-pack-p…

        Will save you having to figure out how to integrate with your NAS.

        Note that the 2C is an older model that uses the quite limited Homebase 2 that has 16Gb storage and doesn't have the latest AI detection features. The '3' models onwards uses the Homebase 3 which allows for a 2.5" HDD/SSD to be installed to increase storage up to (IIRC) 16Tb.

        If you want to go the cloud storage route, each brand generally has a subscription service for cloud storage. I've never seen one integrate with say OneDive… I suppose they want you to buy their cloud service.

  • Thaos on 14/11/2024 - 09:05
    +4

    We had someone do that at our place. We just binned the food, container and all as soon as they left. Stopped after a couple of months.

    • Mugsy on 14/11/2024 - 09:26
      +1

      Depending on the individual, one might see this escalate rather than stop if the food was just binned.

      I've encountered quite a few animal lovers at the various places I've owned property in the past. One was a commission housing tenant who must have thought they were ordained by god to feed stray cats as when the body corp got the grounds keeper to throw away the food and also escalated the matter of them attracting cats and leaving things on the common area that they weren't meant to, things got a bit violent. I wasn't living there at the time but the owners that were and my tenants all feared for their own safety.

      I would personally get footage and have the police informed before binning any food.

  • Cardy on 14/11/2024 - 09:25
    -2

    Cover the food with Bicarbonate Soda, repeat as necessary. Amazing what an unidentified (harmless) white powder can achieve.

  • jattsta on 14/11/2024 - 09:29
    +2

    honestly if its happenings twice a day, you should be able to easily intersect them by camping out in your car for a few hours here and there.

  • Speckled Jim on 14/11/2024 - 09:55

    Camera's a good idea.
    Fences and gates are popular for a reason too.

    • Mugsy on 14/11/2024 - 10:04
      +1

      Yep. Mrs and I weren't thinking of getting a front fence or any gates when we built our house. But we got invited into our estate's wechat group which had a lot of attempted theft and break in footage uploaded to the group. We immediately changed our landscaping plans to include a front block wall fence and gates.

      Getting internet and security cameras became a high priority too… has paid off a few times already.

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