Any tips on stopping ivy coming back?

[redjam]

So, we've just had the wonderful Fernando Pinto round - see the business/trades section - clearing out an area in our garden which was covered with a thick, long-established layer of ivy ground cover. He's dug it out as best he can but there are some giant roots down there coming from under our neighbour's fence so I'm wary about improving the soil in this section and planting new flowers until I'm sure the ivy has been completely eradicated. Fernando suggested I put some weedkiller down - is that the best/only solution? Is there a method that doesn't use herbicides? If we have to go down that route, is it safe for pets (we have a cat)?

If anyone is green-fingered out there and can give a gardening newbie some advice, I'd be v grateful.