To get rid of next door's cat?

[moogdroog]

Ok, I'm hoping I can explain this well and not come across as a meanie.
I love cats and have two of my own.
Tenants (single parent family) moved in next door about 8 months ago. Young cat started appearing in our garden and occasionally in the house - didn't really mind, took him back next door, all ok. When we had the really heavy snow before xmas it became apparent that the cat had no way to get into house and had no shelter. Cat came in even more, we quietly fumed at next door's neglect. Cat became a regular fixture in our house. Next door acquired dog (which I suspect is what they wanted all along and cat was a compromise)
Then, said cat's hormones kicked in and began spraying everywhere (including toddler's bedroom). We've had chuck loads of stuff out (rugs etc) and DH has spent hours cleaning up. DH has spoken to neighbours (very reasonably, he's not terribly assertive). Neighbour said that cat won't come into the house and they will pass him to a relative if we can catch him and bring him around. We've done that twice, and he's immediately appeared straight back outside.
I had words and she suggested we block our catflap up (which we've had to do, yet cats (ours and cat in question) get through the barricade . She said she'd taken cat to relatives but he'd come straight back but would have to look into him going somewhere further away. Several more weeks of tomcat-smelling house.
Couple of weeks ago, I wrote her a note (as she seemed to be away), saying how it was affecting us, how we needed to find a solution, and here were some animal shelter charity numbers - could she sort it, or did she want us to. No response and she's ignored us when she's seen us.
I am due to have a baby in three weeks and can't tolerate this any more. The cat is breaking my heart as he's essentially living rough and losing weight, as he's not got free access to our Iams stash anymore. She's clearly abdicated all responsibility. I want to see this (very lovely) cat in a good home, but I'm sick of the stench and disruption he's causing to our lives. Can't afford to take on another cat with baby on the way.
Should I arrange to get rid of him?

It sounds like the cat has been abandoned. I'd call a shelter and get him rehomed, poor thing.

Yes, you should. See if you can get him placed (in a no kill shelter obv), lie and say he's a stray. As you say the cat needs a proper home.

I rescued a cat in a similar situation once (friend in next town was in your situation), and I don't feel guilty as cat wasn't wanted, was neglected and was living on top of a wheely bin in icy cold November, plus was suspected to be pregnant.

It sounds like they shouldn't have a cat and aren't looking after it properly. You'd be doing the poor thing a favour by getting it a place in a rehoming centre.

Yes ring rescue shelter if it's starving. Aldi cat food is v cheap and good if he has to wait to go on a waiting list.

My Bengal loves aldi cat food.

Can you not adopt it? I would

If you can't then def phone cpl or RSPCA, it's not fair on the poor cat living the way he does.

Homing centres are chock a block this time of year with mothers and kittens as they are prioritised to come in. Yes, you are being completely reasonable to plan to rehome next doors cat via a rescue, I have done similar things with various neighbourhood cats, (including the time I stole my neighbours long haired matted cat and clipped it short to get rid of the mats then denied all knowledge) but if it is a stray young tom, unless you are spectacularly lucky, he will be put right at the bottom of a rescue list because he's not "at risk". I speak from experience on the rescue side of the fence.

For the time being, could you get him into the habit of being fed outside and help him out a bit? It also might be worth speaking to people like Cats Protection, explain the situation and ask if they can help neuter him in the short term and rehome him in the long term. With most animal charities, it is a question of available space to take animals into care, rather than not wanting to help, IYSWIM. I completely sympathise with you in the situation and yes, getting him into a rescue is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, but it may not be that easy. Good luck.

YANBU. It sounds like they won't even miss him when he's gone.

I wouldn't bother with RSPCA - I tried that with the cat I rescued and they said it wasn't a cruelty issue so wouldn't get involved.

Probably best to call a rescue shelter and explain the situation, it's very true that they will be busy this time of year but maybe you can be put on a waiting list?

I would probably keep him if it was me, though understand if you don't feel you can. He might stop the spraying after being neutered (which really should be done if possible, otherwise it means yet more unwanted cats - I know it's not your responsibility to do this though).

I am about your neighbours, the way people treat cats is unbelievable, I think in many ways it's worse than with dogs, if such a thing is possible. Don't feel at all guilty about whether you have the right to take 'their' cat to a rescue, they clearly don't want him and shouldn't be allowed to have him anyway.

Wouldn't be surprised if the poor dog gets chucked out as well at some point when the novelty wears off...

[totally unaware of cat behaviour] Do neutered male cats still spray? Could you get it 'done'?

Thanks for the replies everyone. Seems the consensus is that I should go ahead and do something, although I do realise it might not be that easy. Just want the cat pee problem to be sorted before the baby arrives, so if CPL or the like could neuter him that would be a really good start if there's a waiting list.

I really have thought long and hard about keeping him and my instinct is yes, but I have to be sensible right now. Baby 2 due in a few weeks and our cats are overdue their boosters, as we're broke (which isn't likely to get better for the next few months whilst i'm on ML). Been feeding him for ages, but just can't justify taking on the whole financial responsibility (food, vet, injections, frontline etc....) for another cat.

No wonder she's ignoring us. I'd be totally ashamed if I was her.

Anybody want a lovely, friendly black cat (in need of neutering!)?

I don't know if Valhalla does cats, but she might be helpful. I wonder if you could 'foster' the cat whilst a shelter does the rehoming? It would save them the space and they might cover the neutering?

I think pdsa will neuter for free if owner on benefits. This will almost immediately stop the weeing, also make kitty need less food.

Neutering a male cat doesn't necessarily stop spraying, I'm afraid. Our cat is a rescue cat, we got him when he was 4 and he had been neutered by the rescue centre. He still sprays as it was learnt behavior from before neutering but it doesnt smell as bad I guess because the glands are no longer there, still not pleasant tho! If he is still quite young it might stop if he is done soon though.

I feel really sorry for you and this poor cat, its a really hard decision and you are obviously very caring to consider taking on the extra responsibility. I wouldn't think twice about trying to get him rehomed/contacting a rescue centre. Your neighbour obviously doesnt give a hoot. It makes me so that there are such irresponsible people out there who a/ neglect animals and b/ dont get them neutered and there is absolutely no come back against them.

Phew, you didn't mean 'get rid' get rid

I think because you've got cats yourself and obviously have the cats best interest at heart, whatever you do will be alright, ie you're not going to do the cat in because it's spraying everywhere.

Poor little thing.