Mysterious fake cats placed in empty Cape Coral lots

Six fake cats were placed in an empty lot along Southwest 25th Place in Cape Coral, where a burrowing owl nest sits. Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife volunteers were investigating after finding six more fake cats near the corner of Southwest 20th Avenue and Southwest 30th Street. However, they found no nests at the site. Gulf Coast News took a look at the fake cats after a viewer contacted us. The fake black cats can be seen sticking out of the grass. "I counted them. There were six," said neighbor Susan Montesino. Susan Montesino lives right next to the empty lot. Naturally, her first thought? "Somebody was starting Halloween early," said Montesino. Then she took a closer look. "You first wonder, and then I thought, and they're trying to get rid of those owls, but I haven't seen those there, so I don't know," said Montesino. Volunteers with Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife inspected both sites, checking if any burrowing owl nests nearby had been disturbed. However, they noticed someone pulled out several white stakes with colored flags, which are placed near owl nests so they don't get mowed over. Not only that, cameras have also been placed in the lot, watching your every move. One volunteer with CCFW told our crew she reached out to the city of Cape Coral's development services. They told her that an environmental consultant recently inspected the burrow on the vacant lot along Southwest 25th Place. The environmental consultant says the nest was abandoned. Neighbors and CCFW volunteers wonder if the fake cats were placed in the lots as deterrents, to discourage owls from returning. "After talking to the neighbors, it looks like the lot was up for sale and the signs gone. So, I guess it's been purchased, and somebody decided to go to the extreme to protect their lot," said CCFW volunteer Dawn Cardascia. Gulf Coast News reached out to the city for more information. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.