Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go to the neighbours house and have a word

29 replies

yippeekaiyay · 06/10/2011 13:21

My neighbours have rang the RSPCA about my cats

I am furious. I have 2 cats. One is 'mine' eg, I chose to have her, she is chipped, jabs, neutered etc

The other chose us. She came to us a pregnant kitten and we have cared for her and her litter since then

The 2nd cat has just had her litter, and following this is extremely skinny. She eats for britain, and even eats the other cats food and goes next door stealing food also.

She is just a really small cat. Both are extremely well loved and happy and I am furious that the neighbours who don't even acknowledge us in the street have taken it upon themselves to report to RSPCA, not even knowing the situation about the cats in the first place!

wibu to go and have a word? I mean, what next? NSPCC???

(they have never liked us btw, not sure why but they are strange and don't speak to anybody in a very sociable street)

OP posts:
aldiwhore · 06/10/2011 13:24

I'd be tempted to have a word. However, the RSPCA, even if they visit, won't find anything wrong will they?

I'd make a note of it, the date etc., and details... just in case this is the first in a looooong line of annoyances that one day turns nasty.

ThePumpkinKing · 06/10/2011 13:24

How do you know that it was them?

worraliberty · 06/10/2011 13:25

It's nice to see people worrying about animals who 'don't look right' in their opinion. Far too many people remark on these things but don't bother picking up the phone.

As an animal lover, I'm surprised you can't see they felt they were doing the right thing for the cat.

VajazzleMyBroomstick · 06/10/2011 13:25

I would have a word and explain to them what you have just told us. That she is a new mummy, feeding kittens.

HecateGoddessOfTheNight · 06/10/2011 13:26

What would you say?

If you go over there yelling, you will be the bad guy
If you go over there to try to explain why the cat is thin, they'll think you're making excuses and you'll be the bad guy
If you go over there and say in future, if you have a concern, I'd appreciate it if you came to speak to me first - you'll be the (snotty) bad guy

I assume the RSPCA came out and found nothing to worry about?

I'd be tempted to just do nothing. Apart from anything else, it'll drive them nuts.

It's not like they even speak to you, so you can't do the "Did you know someone reported me to the RSPCA? Can you believe it! Without even talking to me so I could tell them why the cat is a bit thin! Some people, eh?"

ljgibbs · 06/10/2011 13:26

How do you know it was them? It may have been someone else.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 06/10/2011 13:27

If the cat is really skinny they are just concerned.

It sounds like your cat may have an overactive thyroid, which is very common in cats. My 2 cats both had that, they were really skinny, ate for England and always on the scrounge. Maybe a trip to the vets is in order as left untreated it will cause all sorts of problems.

excitedLJ · 06/10/2011 13:28

hhmmm, I had a near miss with a neighbour threatening the same when my puppy was very little.. (turns out she's nuts but that another story)

Let the RSPCA come, then go round and tell her that they are more than happy and thanks for her concern but perhaps next time she could just let you know if she was worried, and you would be happy to explain, thus not wasting everyones time - clearly all heavily laden with sarcasm.

Easy for me to say now - i did not feel this reasonable at the time!!

worraliberty · 06/10/2011 13:28

I'm surprised the RSPCA bothered to come out to be honest...they normally don't here and especially for cats.

Bloodymary · 06/10/2011 13:29

This has happened to me in the past, and it is maddening to say the least!
I know its tempting to charge around there in 'fishwife' mode, (or is that just me)?
But I put together a really good letter, which threatened them with the non existent family solicitor should they ever say anything like that about my cats again.

ColdSancerre · 06/10/2011 13:29

I wouldn't say anything. Did the RSPCA tell you it was them?

HeadfirstForHocusPocus · 06/10/2011 13:29

I would have a word but keep it polite, assure them you realise they were just concerned for the cats welfare. I would want to put them straight and clear the air.

Original poster
yippeekaiyay · 06/10/2011 13:29

I know it was them. They once took the cat in and knocked at my house ordering me to take her to the vets because she was 'in pain' They had even booked me an appointment

There was nothing wrong with her (as confirmed by the vet) she was just uncomfortable as heavily pregnant and only a very small cat.

What gets me the most is THEIR cat terrorises my 2 and is permanently in our garden and trying to get in to the house to follow them. It is a scruffy mangy old flea bag looking cat......

OP posts:
Bloodymary · 06/10/2011 13:30

I should add that they were gossiping about me never feeding them!

Vallhala · 06/10/2011 13:30

As much as you're tempted to go thump the fuckers (I would be!), take a deep breath before you act. Wink

So they've rung the RSPCA - but have the RSPCA been in contact with you? Because IME they don't do much in the way of acting upon reports so it's entirely possible that the neighbours have reported the details in all their spitting anger and that the RSPCA will do nowt.

Looking at it the other way, to be fair, your adopted Mog looks skinny - yes, post-partum mogs often do - but the neighbours may not know all this and may genuinely think that Mog is being neglected. (BTW, and I'm sure that you know this, but in case anyone might accuse me of slipping, please ensure that she's wormed with a vet prescribed product, btw, appropriate to a nursing mum). :o

What would you prefer, that next time they didn't report and a cat suffered terribly, because the locals feared getting it wrong and incuring your wrath?

Deep breath. :)

HeadfirstForHocusPocus · 06/10/2011 13:31

Oh and ask them if they have any further concerns they can talk to you.

Original poster
yippeekaiyay · 06/10/2011 13:31

worra I can see they felt they were doing the right thing, but why not at least talk to us about it first!

OP posts:
worraliberty · 06/10/2011 13:31

What did the RSPCA say?

Original poster
yippeekaiyay · 06/10/2011 13:32

The RSPCA have been round and put a note through my door

OP posts:
HeadfirstForHocusPocus · 06/10/2011 13:33

Oh x posted, didn't realise you'd had run ins with them before. In that case tell them to sort out their own cat before worrying about yours!

worraliberty · 06/10/2011 13:34

worra I can see they felt they were doing the right thing, but why not at least talk to us about it first!

Because they've never liked you and they don't speak to anyone in the street according to you.

If you try to look at it from their POV, they probably thought speaking to you again about your cat would cause an argument.

Meanwhile, they're still very concerned about your cat so what other option did they have?

Original poster
yippeekaiyay · 06/10/2011 13:41

But its not us that has been the cause of any hostility Worra - me and dp have tried on numerous occasions to be friendly, so there would be no reason for them to think it would cause an argument

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 06/10/2011 13:47

Oh I'd just leave it in the interests of keeping peace with the neighbours. As long as you know that the cat is ok, does it really matter?

GumballCharm · 06/10/2011 13:48

My neighbour put a notice up on a lampost with a pic of her cat...it said something like "Please do not worry about me, I am well loved and cared for. I have ongoing health problems which mean I am skinny. DO NOT call the RSPCA and waste their time as they know how well loved I am."

grovel · 06/10/2011 13:49

I would torch their house.

Swipe left for the next trending thread