I've used the poss off too, but to keep kangaroos out of my roses. Like mystic_angel says, its not a poison and works purely by the smell deterring the animals. I love my roses, but I'd gift wrap them for the roos before I would hurt an animal. We also have a cat, a dog and of course kids that run around in the garden beds so something non-poisonous was a must. Even more natural is mixing about a dozen cloves of garlic in a spray bottle with water and then spraying your fence lines etc. You need to reapply after rain, but no harm to any animals - native or domestic.