to think my neighbours should not have got a kitten knowing they would be abroad for a month

[LisasCat]

They got the cat about 8 months ago, when he was a tiny kitten. He's still a young cat, very excitable, loves pouncing on things outside.

They are currently abroad for a month with his job. One of the other neighbours is feeding the cat, but he doesn't have a cat flap so he's locked in the house all the time. He spends most of the day at the window staring out, pawing at the glass whenever he sees anyone outside. It's obvious he's missing the freedom of being outside, having normally had at least a few hours a day in the garden when they're at home and open the back door for him.

Given that this trip is for work and, even if they didn't know about this exact trip when they got the cat, there was always a likelihood of time abroad at some point given the nature of his job, I think they shouldn't have got a cat, or they should have installed a cat flap (which may not be allowed as it's a rental property). For over 3 weeks now this poor thing has been without feline or human contact except the 5 minutes a day someone comes in to feed him. Maybe acceptable for an older cat who appreciated a bit of calm, but this is a young, sociable cat who has been locked up for too long.

So am I an interfering old bag who should leave her neighbours alone, or is this bloody selfish behaviour?

YANBU. At the very least they should have put the cat into a cattery. Poor thing.

Poor little cat! Yes he needs a cat flap!

YANBU. A month is a long time for a kitten/cat to be left basically alone all day. Our cat is a housecat (on the advice of the shelter we got her from) but she'd still get lonely being by herself for most of the day for such a long time. And it's worse if the cat is used to being outside. Poor cat.

A month is a long time. I would think it fine for a fortnight, although the longest I've ever left mine (almost 14) is just over a week. Mine wouldn't have coped in a cattery though. Even a 15 minutes car journey stresses her enough to wee, poo and occasionally, vomit. So catteries aren't always the best option, IMO.

YANBU. That's cruel.

It is cruel and selfish, but what can you do about it? The animal's material needs are being met, so would the RSPCA be interested?
My neighbour goes away on holiday and pays my children to look after her animals, because she knows that they will be played with and talked to as well as fed.

That is very sad.

That's so cruel, especially if the cat is used to being outside. No fresh air for a month, and on his own at night when being used to human company.

They should have put the cat in a cattery.

Talk to the RSPCA or local vet about the situation?

That is so very cruel.

OP, promise me you'll contact the RSPCA.

I am not sure what the RSPCA can do. The cat isn't being mistreated and it's being fed.

YANBU - we are lucky that when we go on holiday (normally 3 weeks) DH's Mum comes and stays to look after our two. For a long weekend we have a friend come and feed them, any longer and you are right it isn't fair.

Could you offer the neighbour who is feeding some help and play with the cat - can you get in touch with the owners?

YANBU, that's awful. They should not own pets if they do not live the lifestyle required to keep them happy. At the very least they could have gotten two kittens, so they would have each other, and hired a pet sitter who would play with the cats, or arrange for a neighbour/neighbour's teen to come and play with the cat.

For those who mentioned it, I doubt the RSPCA can do anything as long as the animal has food/water/shelter. The cat is not being "neglected" in the sense the RSPCA can act on.

I've just talked about this with my sister. She says definitely contact the RSPCA. You won't know if they can do anything until you get in touch with them. Please do it today!

I'm not sure if I was the neighbour I would sign up to scoop up litter tray poo for a month TBH.

Sorry for not coming back yesterday, children expected me to spend some time with them (selfish buggers!).

Anyway, I won't contact the RSPCA, there's no way they'll act when all the cat's basic needs are met - food, water, litter tray, bed. Plenty of cats are permanently kept indoors perfectly happily, so it's not a cause for RSPCA intervention. It's just sad that this cat's personality is not at all suited to being locked indoors and I'm still cross with the neighbours for not thinking ahead a bit when they got him.

I think if they go away again I'll offer my children's services as pet sitters if it will reassure them that the cat can be allowed out under someone's watchful eye, even if only for a few hours a day.

How much longer is there to go? I hope they are bringing the poo scooping neighbour a nice thank you gift.