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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Catgate

419 replies

SirSugar · 07/12/2011 09:58

This rumbles on and on, so far have done the following;

asked nicely
got cross
written letters
telephoned
offered to get them a cat (they don't want one)
kept cat indoors, except for 15 mins in morning

but they are STILL feeding mine who is greedy and if I'm not on the ball during his 15 min morning run will be let into their house and not let out until I telephone to ask them to let him out.

Apparently, they used to keep a cat and for sentimental reasons they keep his bowls and 'put a little food down' which my cat nibbles on YET they have done everything they reasonably can NOT to feed my cat

[now absolutely fucking furious emoticon]

OP posts:
samandi · 07/12/2011 09:59

YADNBU, but I have no advice. They sound weird as fuck.

samandi · 07/12/2011 10:01

Perhaps say that he needs special food as ill?

Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:02

Done that in writing

OP posts:
GlitterySkulls · 07/12/2011 10:02

they put a little food in a bowl, for sentimental reasons?

agree with samandi, they sound weird.

GypsyMoth · 07/12/2011 10:03

Put things on edge of their property that cats hate..... Isn't there cat deterrent gadgets, plants, sprays etc?

Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:03

I have a file and am keeping notes, feel like some crazed person

OP posts:
Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:04

had to phone this morning as cat was inside and I could see him through frosted door, she said ' I will check if hes in here'. WTF? YOU KNOW AS YOU LET HIM IN !!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:05

will investigate sprays and do it in dead of night

OP posts:
ViviPrudolf · 07/12/2011 10:06

They ABU, but as you say you've tried everything so now you'll just have to approach it from a different angle.

Just accept that this is the situation now, your neighbours will be feeding your cat in the morning and you will save on your catfood bills. Tell them this will be so. Either arrange for them to let him out every day at an agreed time, or suck up that you're going to have to ring them every morning to ask for the release of moggy. Its just going to have to become part of your routine - sounds like it already is, but it's currently an irritant rather than an accepted situation.

I don't think you will be able to change their behaviour or your cats, so you're just going to have to alter your own perception of it all. Not really fair on you, but a solution nonetheless.

GlitterySkulls · 07/12/2011 10:06

i think your only option is to keep him inside 24/7, but thats not really fair on the cat.

is he chipped?

samandi · 07/12/2011 10:07

Put a collar on your cat stating "Do not feed".
Talk to the RSPCA.
Tell your neighbour you have spoken to the RSPCA.

Would this count as animal abuse? Xmas Hmm

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 07/12/2011 10:07

Same ere.

Fatbastard cat has now pissed off and lives with the tart two doors up the road, causing a lot of upset to my dd.

Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:07

Was thinking of sending DCs over for breakfast too

OP posts:
GlitterySkulls · 07/12/2011 10:08

oh, citrus peel is supposed to deter cats, could you chuck a load under their hedges?

Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:10

Hes chipped, ACT thats what I'm worried about, this cat was my mums and given to us after H died. They are not having him. They don't want one anyway, they told me. So why keep feeding mine; because I pay the fucking vets bills and as he gets fatter, the bills get bigger!

OP posts:
samandi · 07/12/2011 10:10

Was thinking of sending DCs over for breakfast too

Grin

Why don't you all go round?

MissPentChristmasBudget · 07/12/2011 10:12

They sound a bit unhinged. The only thing I can think of is to phone the police; if they've taken your cat into their house, that's theft. It seems a bit OTT though, and the police might just laugh at you. No idea what else to suggest.

ViviPrudolf · 07/12/2011 10:13

Are you friendly with any other neighbours in your street? There's strength in numbers and if you went and laid it on the line for them with a bit of back up as it were, they might be more inclined to acquiesce if they realise how unpopular their behaviour is making them?

ViviPrudolf · 07/12/2011 10:15

*Yes I am suggesting intimidation. I'm not proud of that but if someone nicked the 'Prudog, I'd call in reinforcements...

Original poster
SirSugar · 07/12/2011 10:18

Other neighbours know, we have all lived here for years, this couple though keep themselves to themselves, she has a reputation for being 'bonkers' and he doesn't even say hello. Have only recently started speaking to him when he approached me to check cat was mine and tell me ALL cats have two homes and that my cat loves to sit on his favourite cushion in their house and be fed chicken and tuna!!!!

OP posts:
LisasCat · 07/12/2011 10:20

I second the RSPCA involvement. Nothing you've tried has worked, they need a bit of intimidation, and those RSPCA inspectors can look quite officious in their uniforms. If they threaten these nutjobs with a fine and a ban on ever owning animals again that should shit them up a bit.

Perhaps offer them a sizable donation if they help you with this distressing matter. It's not bribery, merely covering any costs they may incur by visiting your area.

Alternatively, rub your cat against another cat with fleas, and then send him straight round there. Or feed him something that doesn't make him ill but makes his poo particularly special for a few hours (suggestions, anyone?).

startail · 07/12/2011 10:22

Knock on DSILs door. Hi we are from the camp site.
She gets this sometimes if the owners are out.
No they want to check her cats ok, because they haven't seen him this visit.
DSIL says he's fine asleep on the bed and ends up taking concerned couple up to see him.
Turns out for several weeks each summer her cat has been made a bed in their caravan and made a right royal fuss of.
Her family are veggies, so she knows he goes off scrounging bacon rind etc, but she'd no idea he had a whole other home.
She said the couple were totally sweet, but total mad. Didn't seem to have struck them that the cat had a loving home.

ViviPrudolf · 07/12/2011 10:22

You need to get heavy on their asses. They're getting away with it because they're the 'mad ones' Well you should be the mad one now. Crazy cat lady who goes round screaming like a wild woman at her neighbours. Freak them out so bad that they'll never want to see your cat again.

CatPussRoastingByAnOpenFire · 07/12/2011 10:25

If your cat only goes out for 15 minutes, id be building a cat run in the back garden. If it's only for a short time, don't let him leave your premises. I think if you call the police, they will laugh at you!
Fwiw, I think it's generally not you personally hypocritical. Cat owners make a huge fuss about a cats right to roam, when someone complains about cat shit! This cat is doing just that... Roaming! If you don't want it to roam, pen it in.

WhoopsyLa · 07/12/2011 10:27

Get a legal letter.....it's bloody theft! If they get a solicitors letter they will soon stop! So cheeky!