My family and I have lived in Castlegate for a little over two years now, and we are having several issues with the HOA which I wanted to run by other owners to see if they are having the same issues.
First, we have a major stray cat problem on my street and surrounding blocks. These cats get on top of our cars, climb our back walls, destroy our property in the backyard, etc. There also seems to be certain neighbors of ours that consistently feed these cats, thus allowing more and more stray cats to come into our neighborhood. I called the HOA about twice (so far) and asked their opinion on the situation. What do we do? Do we handle it ourselves by asking neighbors not to feed these cats? The HOA simply told me that "it was my problem". Please understand that I am an extreme animal lover and will do anything that I can to help out an animal that needs assistance. However, I have two dogs of my own whom I am afraid to let out in our gated (and locked) backyard for fear that something will happen to my animals or these cats. I am at a loss of words at this point and do not know what to do.
Second, we are having the worst years for mosquitos in our area. We have no standing water and our sprinklers have been turned off (for fear of over watering due to extra rain). However, it is to a point that my husband cannot work on his truck in the driveway without applying bug spray, and I cannot enjoy sitting on the back patio without being instantly bit by these critters. I have called the HOA several times about this, asking if there is a way that we can get a company to spray the neighborhood every once in a while, or if there are any alternatives that we can use here at our home to get rid of these critters. The HOA simply told me to light "a bug candle". I, very nicely, told me that we do when we are outside, but it is so bad that not even the candle with draw them away. The HOA stated that if they were to hire a company to spray, it would increase our dues on a monthly basis and not allow for "productive-ness" in the neighborhood.
Is anyone else having issues with (1) the HOA and (2) the bugs and cats that we are seeing constantly. I am trying to handle this is a polite way without the harm of the cats, my dogs, or the mind set of the neighbors, but I am extremely livid right now at the fact that the HOA refuses to do anything about it.
Thanks,
A Concerned Neighbor
