My neighbour has asked me to pick up my cat's poo from their garden. Literally she wants to be able to call on me to come and pick it up on an as and when basis.

[pingu2209]

I have 2 cats. They have only just started going outside, about 1 month so far. I still have a litter tray at home and they do use it but they are also beginning to 'go' outside too.

My view is that cats should not be locked in doors. I had to keep them indoors for the first 6th months because I was told by the shelter that they needed their injections, be neutered and micro chipped before they could venture outside and all that wasn't done till they were 6 months old.

I keep my cats up to date with their injections and worm/flee ointment - well they are only 7 months old at the moment, but I fully intend to keep them up to date.

There are other cats in the area. The house behind mine has 2 big cats and we are in a rural area with foxes. Also, my neighbours have a dog. Nice dog, sometimes it barks but it isn't really a problem if I'm honest. I like dogs as much as cats, I'm not anti dogs or anything.

Am I legally obliged to pick up my cats poo?

I've spoken to my mother and she has told me that I should pick up my cat's poo if the neighbour asks. The thing is, I may have to go round there each day or two to do it.

[MrsOnTheMove]

strandedbear can you use cayenne pepper on pathways as well - we have recently moved into a property and have found three cats using our garden as a loo.

This morning one of them walked into the garden and was sick everywhere we don't have any pets, but do have young children - I'll try anything to discourage them.

[michelleseashell]

Is your neighbour Mrs Bourne?

[pingu2209]

Well, I know for a fact that I won't do it, so I will let you know what happens when she starts asking again. My husband has said that if she comes round asking and he answers the door he will tell her, 'no unless she is prepared to stop her dog barking, ever'.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Well, you can probably expect to have it thrown back over the fence then. I think that would be perfectly reasonable.

[hocuspontas]

You sound like lovely neighbours....

As for the barking analogy, that is, well, just barking.

[Ganshee]

Hmm

The easiest and most amicable solution for both you and your neighbour would be to decline to pick up the faeces (as it might not be your cats) but buy him/her a Scarecrow Cat which will prevent cats from pooing in their garden.

www.deteracat.co.uk/scarecrow_water_jet_pack.htm

Happy faces all round.

[ragged]

I'd be going mental if I regularly found someone else's cat turds in my garden, buried or not.

[SarahLundsredJumper]

Catpoo that is out on the lawn is usually fox or hedgehog poo! Cats are very fastidious about burying it.
My cats are very "regular" and they dont get let out in the garden until they have done their business in the litter tray

[rookiemater]

Good for your neighbour well done her.

We get cat poo in our garden, why the hell should I have to worry about the neighbourhood children playing in our garden with DS in case they come across cat poo. Even worse when one of the boys whose family has a cat who I know poos in our garden goes "Ooh poo in the garden gross". My sentiments exactly. Why should I have to put on gloves and pick up another person's cats poo when I don't get any of the enjoyment of cat ownership. I think your neighbours suggestion is imminently reasonable and I cannot believe that you think she is in the wrong.

[SeymoreButts]

We have just moved and our new garden was a bit overgrown and neglected. All of the flower beds are filled with buried and fresh cat poo. I have filled 4 bin bags with it so far and there's still loads left. I pick up at least one fresh cat poo every day. At the moment my DCs can't play on the grass because I'm not keen on deliberately exposing them to toxoplasmosis!

If she's actually seen your cats pooing in her garden, I don't think it is unreasonable of her to ask you to clean up after it. I wouldn't be brave enough to do it though, I would probably just dump it over the fence.

[somethingwitty82]

I thought the reason was because dog poo made children blind? or is that a myth (like white dog poo)

I cant believe the cat poo obsession on here :)

I have 2 cats and have never given it a second thought, i certainly would never pick up a semi wild animals poo! Any more than I would a birds.

Neighbour sounds like a pain re kids making noise, I would demand a DNA test Jezza Kyle stylee to prove it was your cat, then I would curl one out on her lawn to give her a sense of perspective

[DogsBestFriend]

"I hope she.... leaves poison out for your cat."

Irksome, what an appropriate name. Your attitude is shameful, what a very unpleasant person you must be.

[onebigchocolatemess]

cats do not always bury their poo. 4 of our neighbours have cats and at least two of them have not been properly trained to use a litter tray and have designated a corner of my garden as cat poo corner

I get sick and tired of looking for it, picking it up, smelling the piss they spray to mark their territory. If she had the balls to ask then good on her I say.

I have no idea who owns which cat but if I ever found out (outside of following one home) I would definately speak to the owner about it.

you bought the animal, so take responsibility. Its a domesticated pet, so you're the one who has to take control

[DogsBestFriend]

somethingwitty, both cats AND dogs can transmit toxoplasmosis, which is zoonotic. The likelihood of it is extremely rare however as most people (arguably those who aren't obseesive clean-freaks/have OCD PFB parents) build up a natural immunity to it.

I'd imagine that this is the case with my teenagers and I. A cat and dog owner myself, my DC were brought up with them from birth, I handled litter trays/poop scooped throughout two pregnancies and we are all fine.

[said]

"There must be a REASON that it is law to clean up dog poo but not cat poo. Why is there a difference in law?" It's irrelevent. Your neighbour sounds like a cow but I still hope she throws it back over you wall because you don't sound particularly nice either, really.

[Catslikehats]

Pingu in that case I'd prepare yourself for a doorstep covered in shit every morning.

[GilbonzoTheSecretPsychoDuck]

Can I just say that I am the antithesis to an cleanfreak OCD mum to PFB. I'm the type of mum who positively encourages the kids to get mucky and play outside. It's why God invented washing machines and baths. My ds still managed to get toxoplasmosis, so while it is rare, it's not just the freaks that get it.

[superjobeespecs]

the fact she's a judgemental harpy is a pretty good reason IMO the way she's spoken to the OP is cruel and unnecessary. i wouldnt stick it if it had happened to me.

[superjobeespecs]

not for asking her to clean up the poop no, but how does she know its her cats poop? does she dna test it? does she have cctv to prove its her cats shit? no? well then she's a bitch who borderline bullies her neighbour and is taking the piss with this ask just to see what OP will do.

[spout]

If I'd asked politely once and got ignored the way you selfishly intend on doing, I'd definitely chuck the turds back in your garden.