topping up pond with water butt, contamination?

[rosie1]

hi all!

i have bought a water butt so i can top up my small pond with rain water. the only place i can collect water from is the shed roof but i am worried about any chemicals from the roof felt contaminating my pond.
am i worrying over nothing?
would some of that plastic sheeting/corrigated stuff from a diy shop put over the top of the felt help?

any ideas appreciated

[dampflippers]

How new is the felt? I woul have thought there would be little problem if the felt is old (ie no longer smelly).

[rosie1]

it's brand new. i had to replace the old because a local cat keeps using the roof as a scratching post and litter tray, but thats another story! lol

[jpscloud]

Originally Posted by rosie1

it's brand new. i had to replace the old because a local cat keeps using the roof as a scratching post and litter tray, but thats another story! lol

I know this might sound a bit like turkeys voting for christmas, but if you really need to save your shed roof from this abuse, you can get a covered cat loo for about £15 (covered because it will be ok if it rains) - and the cat might be inclined to use it instead of the shed roof.

You could then move it further and further away, and eventually remove it - you might get the cat using your garden still, but at least it might leave the roofing felt alone. My cat has an indoor loo that she uses by preference, and I change the litter just once a week. It doesn't smell.

I take no responsibility for other neighbourhood cats getting in on the act!! But if they don't already come and use the roof as this one does, possibly they have their own places to poo and won't bother you.

[rosie1]

i've already spent ALOT of money on things to keep out the cats money is tight and i can't keep doing it (nothing seems to work). it really angers me that i should have to pay anything towards other peoples pets!
the other cats do have places to poo, in my flower beds!

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by rosie1

i've already spent ALOT of money on things to keep out the cats money is tight and i can't keep doing it (nothing seems to work). it really angers me that i should have to pay anything towards other peoples pets!
the other cats do have places to poo, in my flower beds!

....There's a flower you can buy and plant which apparently cats hate the smell of - Sorry I don't know its name, unfortunately it's not perennial though. I shout, chase and throw stones at any cats in my garden - It's now very rare that they visit.

[rosie1]

i'll have a look for that plant thanks, could be costly over time though being an annual.

i have tried shouting, hissing, throwing things etc but they are just so quick. as soon as they hear the door opening they are gone. i can't be on guard 24/7.

it's not just the poo and the shed roof either. i've had numerous dead frogs, birds and rats as a result of the cats and they like to lay on my plants squashing and killing them off. i can't just leave my doors open because they will come in the house, one even tried to scratch me when i dared to shoo it outside.

i would never harm an animal but i can totally sympathise with people who use more permanent methods than me. it sometimes makes me wish i had a psycho cat killer living on my street! lol (again just to stress i would never do this and as tempting as it sometimes is, it is VERY wrong)

[Kayleigh]

Get a water pistol one where you pump it up like a shot gun and keep it somewhere full and at the ready then cover the roof in chicken wire so they get their claws stuck in it if they try to scratch this will stop them..

I went away for the weekend and a bloody cat moved into the garden the birds disappeared but the dog has returned from the kennel and the cat has gone and the birds are back.

[rosie1]

ahh chicken wire! what a fab idea thanks!

[jpscloud]

Originally Posted by rosie1

i've already spent ALOT of money on things to keep out the cats money is tight and i can't keep doing it (nothing seems to work). it really angers me that i should have to pay anything towards other peoples pets!
the other cats do have places to poo, in my flower beds!

I do totally sympathise - I have always been a responsible cat owner. I trained my cat to use an indoor loo and she always uses it instead of going outside. I keep her in at dawn and dusk, and fortunately she doesn't care. She's a naturally laid back creature.

Other people's cats, however, use my garden as a toilet, come inside if I leave the doors open, stalk my bird bath and feeders and beat up my cat given half a chance.

I use water as well - I leave my hosepipe attached to a (not too strong) jet spray, and if any other cat is bold enough to stroll into my garden they get sent on their way. I know exactly what you mean about them having some sort of sixth sense though... I only have to move towards the tap for them to scoot. It's very satisfying, in a wrong sort of way, when one is a bit slow