Something leaving small animal parts at my door!

[Val Gal]

Five times in the past two weeks, "something" has left parts of small animals at my front door. The items range from liver, kidneys, intestines, and once a small paw like a squirrel's, but very little/no blood. I dispose of the items and hose the area down (I removed the front door mat after the first time). I've also tried spraying the area - one time with citrus air freshener and one time with lysol spray (got a "present" the next morning). My front door is sheltered and a little secluded. What might be doing this and how do I discourage it?

[dpb]

Probably the best candidate is a neighborhood cat...

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[RicodJour]

You have a cat admirer that is leaving you presents to get into your good graces. Spray or sprinkle something that cats find malodorous around your front door.

R

[dpb]

Like tuna-can drippings??? :)

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[h]

What's wrong with you? You have a cat leaving you presents. Why would you want to discourage that behavior? The cat is killing off garden pests. I say, leave out some food and you'll have a new pet.

[aemeijers]

Likely a formerly-domestic stray cat looking for a new home, or a dumb neighbor cat mistaking your door for theirs.

I had that problem a LOT in the apartments with hundreds of doors that all look alike- open the door to check the mail, and a cat that was waiting there strolled in like he owned the place. (Thankfully no loose parts- I gross out easily) Cats are the only common suburban animals I know of that leave presents on doorsteps. It is the old hunter hardwiring, trying to show they are good providers and deserving of a place in the group.

[Val Gal]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had thought of cats, but I haven't made the acquaintance of any in the neighborhood. There are hawks, skunks, raccoons, and such around, so something like that is probably more likely. I think I'll try the mothball suggestion. Do hawks have a sense of smell?

[Val Gal]

Leaving only the guts didn't appear to be cat like to me, but I bow to the greater collective knowledge/experience. Thanks.

[dpb]

Doesn't get any more cat-like than prototypical cat behavior...

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[Evan]

How long have you lived at your house ?

If you moved in recently the cat that is leaving the presents may have belonged to the previous owners...

~~ Evan

[h]

Or, if you live in the boonies, that cat might have just been abandoned by asshole "owners" who think that dumping a cat near an old barn is "fine". The only thing I like about the very old barn closest to my property having been converted into a McMansion is that no one drives by and dumps out pregnant cats anymore. Used to be a monthly occurrence. Some of my best cats arrived in that fashion, by that barn, but I'm happy that no one else will be abandoned out here just because city dwellers are lazy morons. Obviously not every person who lives in a city is a lazy-animal-dumping-moron, but still. Just because there's a "barn", doesn't mean that DOMESTICATED animals can live there, out on their own, with no help, in upstate NY, year round. Again, MORONS!

[Val Gal]

I live in the suburbs and have been here since the place was built seven years ago. Outdoor cats don't last long; they become coyote food. With a number of foreclosures nearby, it could very well be an abandoned cat trying to bribe me. :)

[h]

So take it in for doG's sake!

[mike]

Sounds like you pissed off the neighborhood witch. I'd check for a pentagram painted in goat's blood. You don't live in Louisiana do you?

[tanzan8]

Quit complaining, it's FREE MEAT !!!! Make yourself some stew.

You propbably got a pet cat too !!! They leave treats for people they like....

[Joseph Capgras]

Oh, that's Obama's latest governmental bailout program program.

[JIMMIE]

You have a cat that likes you?

Jimmie

[mm]

Put up a sign.

No Trespassing.

[ransley]

Sounds like a Voodo ritual. Put out some food.

[Jack Hammer]

If you find a fish wrapped in newspaper then I would say you have grounds to be concerned.