Meant to be feeding next doors cat but I've been locked out!

[Imthekingsmummy]

My Neighbour asked me to feed & water her cat whilst they are on holiday. I've been going in everyday to look after her but yesterday when I tried the door wouldn't open. There's a Yale lock and a normal lock and it turns out one of the in laws has been round to water the plants and locked the normal lock. I only have a Yale key.
I messaged yesterday and she said she would get the in law to come back and unlock the door. I've tried again today but it's still locked.
This means the cat hasn't been fed or watered for 2 days.
Neighbour doesn't get back until Monday.

I feel stupid keep going to check a neighbours door and not being able to get in but I'm really worried about the poor cat.

What would you do? I've messaged again but not had a reply yet.

If the cat has a cat flap can you put food and water in the garden for it?

No the gates locked too so can't get round the back!

Can you get over the back fence with a stepladder?

Not great, but the cat will probably survive - they rarely empty the water bowl, so she will have access to water.
She'll be hungry, but will survive until Monday if neighbour/her relatives can't be bothered to sort the lock.
You could post dry food thru the letter box (but that will increase her need for water).
Poor baby.

Does the cat have some water in a bowl? You can pour dry food through the letter box.

Dry cat food through the letter box?

Maybe wait until someone’s not walking past though or they might think you’ve slightly lost it 😁

Can't you ask for the in-laws phone number? Ask her if she minds you breaking the glass (if that helps) ultimately, it's the in-laws fault should anything happen to the cat. Doesn't help the cat but should help your guilt.

Have you told her the cat hasn't had food or water for 2 days?

Can't she give you in-law's number so you can contact them directly? Tell her you may have to ask the RSPCA to break in otherwise.
Monday would make it 5 days without food or water for the poor cat!
Why has she asked one person to feed the cat and another to water plants - would have seemed easier to combine the two.

Can you drop some food through the letter box? I would be getting concerned about my cat and access to water after a day or two though. Wet food might make a mess but at least it would be some fluids too.

The cat is quite old so it's a worry, the plus water bowl she has is tiny and twice I've been round it's been empty so I'm certain it will be empty by now.

I could post cat food through the letterbox if they haven't shut the door so she can't get through.

Yes all my other neighbours will think I'm a nutcase 😁

Poor cat ☹️

Is the cat locked inside the house or does it has access outside through a cat flap.

If it can go outside I'd throw some wet food where it can get to, even if that means throwing it over the fence.

If it's inside that's more of a worry. Dry food could go through the letterbox. I'd see if I could get some semi moist food through like slices of chicken.

my cat's an indoor cat, so a cat flap option didn't cross my mind when I posted earlier, does she have one?

just seen your update - i'd be wary about posting dry food if she's likely to have run out of water.

This is the reason why my cats always go in a cattery. I don't think other people should have to be responsible for your pets. I hope you get in today.

Can you drop a bowl through the letter box and then somehow fill it? Using a squeezy baster, or hosepipe?
It really might die otherwise.
Or drop some wet food through it. Ideally onto a mat or something.

5 days is too long for an elderly cat. It should start to get kidney failure in that time. Email to owner saying urgent or will have to escalate.

If they are not replying, you need to call RSPCA i would expect and explain the situation. If I was you i would be worried about gaining entry by way of breaking a door/window as owners may hold you accountable-however the cat can not be left without food and water. You need to get in today OP.

Is the cat shut in the house or does it have outside access?

Takes about 10 days for a cat to die without water. Older cat will take much less. If toilet lid open, some cars will go into the toilet bowl. Depends how intelligent they are.
They can go a few days without food.
This is an appalling worry for you. I’m so sorry.

I'd ring the friend to talk to her. I'd tell to ask the in laws to go around food cat and leave the mortar lock unlocked so you can carrying on tomorrow.

It's odd that the in laws have been around, why didn't she ask you to water the plants?

Don't panic too soon, but yes Monday is too long for an elderly cat with a small water bowl unless there are likely to be suitable puddles in the garden accessible via cat flap.

Try both texts and WhatsApp because she may have phone signal but not Wi-Fi or vice versa.

Can you gentle lower one of these through the letter box? Cat will probably smell the water and be curious enough to check it out?
small animal water bottle

You need to message again and tell the pet owner that you need entry to feed the cat so in laws need to return to open the door for you.
In the meantime dry cat biscuits through the letterbox, and or some slices of ham/chicken to get a bit of moisture to the cat.
It is really up to the cats owners to sort and not fair that they have put you in this situation and seemly don't care?!
Also yes, why were the in laws needed to water the plants when you were going in to feed the cat probably x2 a day? This now lies with them and they need to come back asap.

I think you need to txt her that you haven’t heard from her relatives by now and that you are worried about the cat as she is 2 days without water and food already. Then wait for her reply. You can’t do anything without owner’s authorisation.
if you want add something like what do you want me to do, to empathise that she needs to resolve the situation.

Some sort of low container though the letter box and fill it with water using a water pistol? Would a round cake tin or tupperware container fit?