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Original poster

This is a Bit Weird - what to say?

32 replies

CwmYoy · 23/03/2023 11:46

The previous owners of our house catproofed the long garden all around. At the time they did it there was a colony of feral cats lurking in the small holding over the back but they are long gone. There are lots of pet cats around so we make sure the fencing is maintained because we feed birds and enjoy gardening.

Very occasionally, over the years, a cat has managed to get in and, of course, is trapped. When we see that we open the gate and chase the cat out.

We have had more trapped cats this year than all the years before so DH examined the fencing carefully and cannot find how a cat could get in. A newish neighbour on one side has said he hates cats and their mess from time to time. We have come to suspect that he is dropping cats into our garden. I'm not sure what his point is because we would see them eventually and chase them out.

If it is him he can drop a cat over out of our sight at the side of the house so we can't keep watch. It seems such an odd thing to do - I think I should maybe say something - but what?

OP posts:
GretaGip · 23/03/2023 11:47

A Ring camera would be a feline start?

MMMarmite · 23/03/2023 11:48

That is weird. But surely the easiest solution is just to make some gaps in the cat proofing.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/03/2023 11:53

I thought cat proof fencing was to keep cats in. Not to keep them
Out.

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Cats
Original poster
CwmYoy · 23/03/2023 11:53

MMMarmite · 23/03/2023 11:48

That is weird. But surely the easiest solution is just to make some gaps in the cat proofing.

I don't want cats in the garden. If we did that any could get in.

OP posts:
Seeline · 23/03/2023 11:55

If it's possible for your neighbour to drop cats over, it will be possible for the cats to get over by themselves.

Original poster
CwmYoy · 23/03/2023 12:04

Seeline · 23/03/2023 11:55

If it's possible for your neighbour to drop cats over, it will be possible for the cats to get over by themselves.

He lifts them over the rollers and the wire mesh. They can't do it alone.

OP posts:
Sundaefraise · 23/03/2023 12:07

That is so weird, but what is your basis for thinking this is happening? If you are sure I would go and have a chat. I could almost understand returning a cat to its owner (although still a bit strange) but if you are cat proofed and obviously not cat lovers I really don’t get it.

Original poster
CwmYoy · 23/03/2023 12:17

Sundaefraise · 23/03/2023 12:07

That is so weird, but what is your basis for thinking this is happening? If you are sure I would go and have a chat. I could almost understand returning a cat to its owner (although still a bit strange) but if you are cat proofed and obviously not cat lovers I really don’t get it.

It could be all in my head. It just seems odd to have so many in such a short time, compared to the past.

He's a bit of an oddball. He said we shouldn't be feeding the birds so much because the rooks are too noisy.

His garden is overly neat and he hates blossom trees and autumn.

OP posts:
Sundaefraise · 23/03/2023 12:18

Oh dear, so possibly 'tidying' cats in to your garden? Yikes!

Original poster
CwmYoy · 23/03/2023 12:24

That's a good idea. We'd need a couple. The garden is long and tree lined alongside the fencing

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 23/03/2023 12:26

Yep you need a camera

Intrigued by how to cat proof a garden though!

Original poster
CwmYoy · 23/03/2023 12:32

Rollers, wire and spikes along the top. Amazon has loads, although the previous owner got a fencer in to do it.

OP posts:
ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 23/03/2023 12:42

Install one of those cat flaps that you can manually set to only allow one way operation.

Silvers11 · 23/03/2023 12:44

He might very well be doing this if he hates the sounds of the birds. Hoping that the cats will get some of the birds? Definitely agree, you need one or more CCTV cams that cover the length of your garden where it meets hid

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 23/03/2023 12:52

Toddlerteaplease · 23/03/2023 11:53

I thought cat proof fencing was to keep cats in. Not to keep them
Out.

If it keeps à cat in it will also keep a cat out.
Cats don't work on the osmosis principle, although I sometimes think they may be considering it.

IsItMeOrEveryoneElse · 23/03/2023 18:57

Check that all the rollers are still rolling and not seized up

Throwaway0323 · 23/03/2023 21:37

Are you sure he doesn't think the cat belongs to you, the cat proofing might look like you are trying to keep your cat in.

Is it the same cat every time?

Seems odd that someone would go to the trouble of catching random cats and dropping them into someone's garden. Surely you are going to get some scratches doing that.

oneleggedspider · 23/03/2023 22:06

If it's the same as the ones I've looked at, those cat proofing fence things don't claim to keep cats out. They're for keeping your own cats in. They work on the principle that most cats won't choose to jump in somewhere if they can't see a way out.

I wanted to get some to keep our own cats safe in our garden but decided against it when I realised I would just end up trapping all the neighbours cats!

Maybe yours are different. But I think its unlikely that the neighbour, who doesn't like cats, is picking them up and throwing them over. It's pretty difficult to catch and pick up a cat that isn't yours, they don't tend to like being handled by strangers.

Its more likely the cats are finding a way in themselves. They're like ninjas.

Original poster
CwmYoy · 25/03/2023 09:17

The fencing has worked successfully for over a decade and it seems strange that there is a sudden influx.

I said before it could be in my head but he's an odd bloke and it wouldn't totally surprise me.

Dh is going to examine the fence carefully today - a bit difficult with bushes and trees. If he can't see a gap he's going to get a couple of cameras.

Someone said maybe he was trying to scare the birds and that does make sense because he often claps his hands when birds are in his garden or trees.

OP posts:
OnaBegonia · 25/03/2023 09:25

How many cats and how often are we talking here??

BigCheeseSandwich · 25/03/2023 09:41

He doesn’t like birds, blossom or leaves? Could you suggest he moves to an apartment without garden access?!

Hope you get to the bottom of this one OP. Please update when you do!

JeannieAlogy · 25/03/2023 09:46

Not specifically to do with OP but it always astounds me when people mention neighbours who hate birds, plants, etc. Makes me wonder why those people live in places with gardens, trees etc.

I think some close observation of the garden might be necessary as if the garden is properly cat proof, them cats can't get in (as a PP says) because the garden is designed to stop them getting out.

Original poster
CwmYoy · 25/03/2023 10:51

JeannieAlogy · 25/03/2023 09:46

Not specifically to do with OP but it always astounds me when people mention neighbours who hate birds, plants, etc. Makes me wonder why those people live in places with gardens, trees etc.

I think some close observation of the garden might be necessary as if the garden is properly cat proof, them cats can't get in (as a PP says) because the garden is designed to stop them getting out.

It is a lovely bungalow and he has spent a lot of money on it but the gardens, front and back, are huge.

He complained when the wind blew our magnolia blossom onto his lawn. DH just laughed because he thought he was joking.

It's been about one a fortnight since the new year, previously it was only a few a year.

Dh has just gone out to examine the fence humming the Mission Impossible music.

OP posts:
SpaghettifingerFusillitoe · 25/03/2023 10:57

He’s on Pussy Patrol…