Posted by nan on May 14, 2004

Q: last night my son heard a faint cat yell we ran to the door and it looked like my daughters catwas de haired and the cat isgone there was balls of hair all over the place.last week here other cat dissapeaded with its kittens we went to feed them and there was just hir everywhere and one of the kittens head they were 3 weeks old my daughters 10 and so up set what killed here cats we have woods in our back yard and live in sc was it an owl there was no blood anywere she just dissapared

A: My first thought was that it was a Great Horned Owl. Great Horns will take cats now and then although the hair all around makes me wonder a bit. Usually an owl kills its prey and then carries it off leaving some feathers and/or hair but usually not much. It takes a large owl to carry off a cat, especially if the cat is a large one.

Don't rule out the possibility that Coyotes have gotten your cat. Coyotes are quite common in areas all across the U.S. and I'm sure will take a cat if they're hungry and have an opportunity. Don't rule out a neighbor's dog that "hates" cats - some dogs really go after cats if they can.

Sorry I can't give you a definite answer, but I trust this gets you closer to what's been getting your cats. My best to your daughter - it's very traumatic to lose a pet.

John Wiessinger ( May 14, 2004)