Important Lesson About Feeding Cats in the Country

"Tigger -NO, no no no no no. Get away from there, TIGGERRRRRRRR!"

I darted out to see what could possibly have Mark so scared for our kitten's well being that would not also terrify the kitten and make him dart inside to safety.

"Get back, Nicole!" Mark stormed into the house, slamming doors. It was a skunk at the outside cat food bowl. I was so relieved - I had feared a coyote mauling about to take place. We quickly resolved to not feed the outside cats after dark.

Lesson learned from this? We should have resolved to feed the cats nowhere near the house. Skunk spray smells like a mix of burning hair and burning rubber and it is so strong that identifying its source is near impossible. We have tried the following removal methods:

• Tomato Juice: Doesn't work. Here is why: http://www.humboldt.edu/~wfw2/deodorize.shtml



• Bleach: Works well - I scrubbed the heck out of the outside area. Now jut our laundry room smells like skunk contamination.

According to the above article, however, we have to wait for "Time and ventilation." Crumbs!