[Paul Plots]

Yeah - I thought that too but you try telling the 101 neighbourhood cats that vist our garden now only one of our two moggies survives and is on her last legs (poor eyes sight these days) so no chance of her telling the others to scat!

Other local cat owners don't seem to provide or encourage the use of litter trays - they (the cats not the owners) use the flower borders instead. Composted there is an increased likelihood of bacteria and other nasties breaking down. Straight into the soil there is very little if it is newly placed.

Trouble is our local cat population is an ignorant group - none can read the small print under the "Keep off, please" sign.

My wife wears rubber gloves when gardening just because it is generally easier to keep her hands clean.

I agree, though, I'd not put a cat littler tray contents anywhere near a veg plot.

[tillytup]

ooooo i was warned about cat poo when i was pregnant. Very dangerous i was told not to even empty the litter tray without gloves.

[Paul Plots]

You are perfectly right - very hazardous when pregnant... That's when the conversation first came up with my OH (about 26 years ago). I think that is also when she started wearing rubber gloves in the garden.

It's amazing how our closest and most common pets can put us at risk. A common parasite carried by quite a high percentage of dogs and deposited by dogs' poo can cause blindness particularly in children who are more likely than adults to come into contact with it when they play on grass.

Great on playing fields, eh! 

[Paul Plots]

Below (with a lot of luck):
a link to info on cat infections serious mainly to pregnant women

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/isitsafeto/catlitterexpert/

and dog infections that can be serious to anyone but particularly the young

http://www.encams.org/advice/main2.asp?pageid=40

I'm not sure that the links will work... apologies if they fail.
Hard to remember Aunty's advice - I should have printed a copy!