We have a similar problem. Our new (at the time) cat had only just established himself in the local cats' pecking order, when 5 cats moved in next door (with their owners) and started taking over our garden. Our cat has been involved in several fights, and so far cost us hundreds in vets' 'repair' bills. He's plucky, but fairly small and no match for the hulking brutes next door, who always seem unscathed as far as we can tell.

Of course if I see them in our garden I chase them away, but I can't be there all the time, so I need a way of keeping them out when I'm not there. Someone told me that you can get a special type of fencing that will keep cats out of your garden, but I've yet to see it on sale anywhere. Also the cost would be prohibitive, I suspect.

I had the idea of rigging up lots of water sprays around the garden, activated by infrared movement detectors, which would be neutralised by a transmitter on my cat's collar, so he would be able to wander round the garden unscathed, while interlopers would get soaked regularly. The problem is, the jets would be set off by other animals and birds, so I abandoned that plan.

I guess the idea of somehow trapping the cat, giving it a good soaking and then releasing it might work, as suggested above by Peace. Now, how to trap a cat - any suggestions?

How did Mark Twain get cats to eat mustard - force feed them?