The raccoons never came back? Poor cats. Raccoons can scavage but cats don’t have as many natural food sources.

well, probably *those* raccoons didn't come back, but every month or so, I'd find a couple of new ones that were in the feeder, so the zap setup remained going for several more years.

Animal cruelty...?

It probably didn't hurt them permanently, but the cats were very appreciative of whatever invisible force chased the raccoons away from their food.

It was for the best. It ruins the natural system when people feed wildlife, even unaware.

Now I need to discourage the skunks from raiding the cat food on the porch. I've resorted to just feeding them only in daylight, although in the mornings they are lying in wait just outside the door:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EYZnSXEla0

You can’t zap skunks. They will spray everywhere.

Overhead sprinklers and a tank full of tomato juice to soak it down after they've sprayed?

That could work. You already have a lot of contraptions in place.

Rube Goldberg would be proud :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_machine