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.

Anyone who has spent much time on mumsnet can think of numerous reasons why they might not have been asked. The owner might not even have been aware that they had a key.

Do you have a conveniently light weight child/teenager who could be boosted over the fence and then heaved back over? They could check for a catflap and post food through it. Or if you are small yourself find somebody to help boost you. You may even find that the garden gate is unlockable from the other side.

Pouch of wet cat food squeezed through the letter box. Cats get a lot of their water intake from wet food.

it will survive. We went away for a weekend once and left food and water out for the cat and managed to shut it in a wardrobe before we left and didn’t realise. Cat was fine, pissed off but fine.

OP, try and get hold of a collapsible bucket that will fit through the letter box. Attached a length of flexible tubing to the handle in the centre so when the bucket is open it points into it. Feed it through the letter box. put a funnel on the end of the tube and fill with water, gently pulling up on the tube as you go.
Might be worth a few practice runs to get a feel for it.

Collapsible bucket : www.halfords.com/camping/cooking-equipment/halfords-collapsible-bucket-290574.html

tubing: www.screwfix.com/p/hep2o-hxx10-15w-push-fit-polybutylene-barrier-coil-pipe-15mm-x-10m/1615J?

How about a tray of ice cubes through the letter box? It will defrost and let the cat drink?

ring your neighbour tell her the cat has had no food for 2 days and the in law needs to come round today or they do . Why did the in law come round anyway to water plants when she’d ask you to feed the cat . Never mind the bloody plants it’s the cat they need to worry about .

Roast chicken. Cats love it and there will be some moisture.

then ring your neighbour. Tell her you are very concerned about the cats welfare and if the door isn’t opened today you will have to cii op bract the rspca because this is animal cruelty.

inqould report three anyway - this is appalling. Poor cat

Well it would serve her right for not dealing with the situation, poor cat.

Can you borrow a teenager, OP? They can get over fences in two seconds flat.

A cat cannot go without food longer than about 48 hours before there are serious consequences. You need to get in touch urgently with someone who can open the door

Can't believe no one's said this but... ring the bell so the cat knows you're there. Then put two carrier bags through the letter box, one filled with dried food the other with ice or water. The ice will melt into the bag, the food and water won't go anywhere and the cat will be able to drink.

If you drop dry cat food through also drop some ice cubes or the food will dehydrate the cat quickly

www.whiskas.co.uk/1-plus-years/cat-health/how-long-can-cats-go-without-food

you need to urgently contact them and if you cannot get in touch you need the RSPCA

This & tell them you're calling the RSPCA today if this isn't sorted by x o'clock. Then do it.

If the in laws can't or won't come back, you are going to have to think about breaking in. Do tell your neighbour before you do that though.

She needs to think about putting the cat in a cattery if she has multiple people calling round the house.
Poor cay 😿

And if the cat answers the door, tell him you're putting some food and water over the fence for him.

😂😂😂

Phone her up, ask her for the in-laws’ address and telephone number, and contact them directly, going round if you have to to get the key. Poor cat.

Lots of people are talking about the danger of the cat going without water. But, going without food for even a few days can be fatal for cats (look up hepatic lipidosis). Please don't wait any longer. Call the RSPCA if necessary.

Don't faff with putting things through the letter box. The cat could be shut in the kitchen or wherever his litter tray is. You really need to get in there. Either that in-law comes now to open the door, or you'll need to report it to someone or get permission from the owner to force entry. You can not leave the cat until Monday.

I don't understand why you can't get over the fence if there is a catflap to the back garden. Or remove the fence panel or find someone else to do one or the other.

Completely agree

Wow some people are ass holes and thoughtless. I really hope you get in there.

There are some excellent lateral solutions here. I will add another. Could you not find a local dairy farmer OP? Get him to choose the cow with the droopiest udders and the longest teats, position it alongside the letterbox and squirt the milk through?

Great idea, but many cats are lactose intolerant.

Maybe a vegan cow would work?

This happened to me once - 3 cats and my fault! I posted smoked mackerel through the letterbox and they all survived!