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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it is totally reasonable for cat owners not to pick up poo

746 replies

PMDD · 02/12/2013 18:17

I mean how can they?

I have 2 cats and now 1 puppy. I watch my puppy when she is out and know where she is, I can see if she is pooing. If she disappears under a bush I check (with my sense of smell) and pick up if necessary. I carry poo bags everywhere.

However, my cats come and go as they please. When they were kittens I had a litter tray that they used, but as they started to go outside with a cat flap, they stopped using the litter tray.

My (ex) neighbour asked me to come and pick up after my cats, but as there are lots and lots of cats in the area, there was no knowing that it was my cats.

I am not a bad pet owner. But I think it is unreasonable to expect cat owners to have the same poo pick up responsibility as dog owners.

OP posts:
MoominMammasHandbag · 04/12/2013 00:18

I loathe cats, absolutely loathe them. I think all pets are pretty much a waste of time actually but cats are the worse. The devastation they cause to wildlife is horrendous. Why are people happy to let small birds and mammals be killed just so they have something furry to cuddle? It is beyond me.
I like animals, but I like them wild and free in their natural environment, not wreaking havoc as unchecked, unnatural predators.

GoatyFucker · 04/12/2013 00:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lovefifteen · 04/12/2013 00:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sandfrog · 04/12/2013 01:27

If a cat buries it, that still isn't OK. Who wants to dig up a cat poo when theyr'e weeding the borders?

Crowler · 04/12/2013 04:30

And, since you got me started, they menace my guinea pigs. Sit on top of the pig hutch, dangling menacing paws at them, like a cat at a cartoon fishbowl. And spraying them. Spraying! Why do you think the rights of your pets trump the rights of mine in my fucking garden?

Ah. I was wondering if it made sense to talk about hamster/rodent pets rights in this context but forgot about it. Certainly roaming cats infringe upon this sort of pet's rights, or it's owner's property rights. We had some indignant cat people upthread talking about having your dog under control; what about having your cat under control?

I still don't understand why cats need to roam. If I had a cat and felt attached to it (a prospect that's hard for me to entertain) - I would worry about it when it was gone, and I would want it in my house so I could cuddle with it or suchlike?

HesterShaw · 04/12/2013 05:21

lovefifteen, don't get a big dog unless you want to keep a big dog.

Contrary to the deranged loons posters on here, this isn't the massive problem they are making out. I've never heard anything like it, and I live in a very catty area. I could tell you about the dog shit I have to dodge on a daily basis though, but that would make them froth and splutter again.

vtechjazz · 04/12/2013 06:37

So, if a dog kills a cat but then it buries the body is that ok? Seems like burying the problem makes it ok.

The pearl clutches might be saddened to hear that my husband got one cat in the face last night with our million candela torch and it ran blindly into a fence! How we laughed.

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2013 06:47

Why was your DH poking about in the garden with a torch? Confused

vtechjazz · 04/12/2013 07:01

It looked through the front door glass.

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2013 07:10

Oh no! Grin It looked through the front door glass. Grin How terrifying for you.

vtechjazz · 04/12/2013 07:15

Its the filthy shit that could blind my ds that scares me. But as long as your precious fur-babies can roam, what's one more blind child??

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2013 07:17

Confused It was looking through the front door glass.

I think as this is into it's third day now and getting more bonkers by the minute I think I may bury this thread.

JakeBullet · 04/12/2013 07:18

I pick up poo......out of the litter tray my cats insist on using while ignoring my garden! Hmm.

I wish wish they would use the garden.......l

HedgehogsRevenge · 04/12/2013 07:19

So you are vegetarian then moomin yes?
Never eaten intensively farmed animals or their products?
A little bit of context: cats are responsible for the deaths of 200 million wildlife deaths per annum in the UK. Humans are responsible for (and eat) 2.5 billion animals pet annum in the UK and a further 4 million are sacrificed in the name of medical research.
All of those planning their neighbours cats demise should probably familiarize theirselves with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if they don't want to end up on the wrong side of the law.

Colinbakergotfat · 04/12/2013 07:23

I'm not a big cat fan, but it seems the anti-cat lobby on here is just the usual mumsnet pfb (or 2nd, 3rd born) contingent.

These kind of discussions always seen to come down to some panic about a tiny perceived risk of infringement of said child's human rights/health etc.

Do real people really live in such fear trying to mitigate every possible minuscule risk for their children?Shock I find it quite weird...

HedgehogsRevenge · 04/12/2013 07:24

Yes vtech, we here about children being blinded by cat shit all the time.

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2013 07:30

Colin, I don't know whether to be shocked or just sad at some of the comments on this thread about what is after all a small furry pet.

Colinbakergotfat · 04/12/2013 07:35

I know - I get that cat shit is annoying (although I live in the middle of a big city and have a garden and barely notice it) but it is the drawing of battle lines - kids v cats that I find so weird.

And tormenting them whilst wailing about pfb is pathetic. Ridiculous double standards - and people are rather stupid anthropomorphising them as malevolent, calculating evil geniuses.

Colinbakergotfat · 04/12/2013 07:38

Also, consider that whilst you are vilifying cats that many lonely, often elderly people adore their cats and take great comfort from them. I personally know three.

But as long as your family and borders are protected from these evil menaces then fuck 'em. Hmm

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2013 07:39

They are the people that are brainwashing the next generation too. Telling their DC untruths.

GoatyFucker · 04/12/2013 07:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thebody · 04/12/2013 07:51

sparkling what are you doing my dear?

obviously these loons arnt worth engaging with.

cats v kids it's absolutist hilarious. must be a lot of pfb nonsense in here. I have cats, the neighbours have cats and never ever seen cat shit in my garden. had lots if dog shit in the front drive which is annoying but actually doesn't make me hate the cat.

colin lovely point about old people and cats as company.

my dds cat helped her through a major trauma and I have spasms of fear about how she would react if anything happened to out beloved puss.

there will always be cruel and vile people but hopefully their children don't get infected by their ideas.

thebody · 04/12/2013 07:52

doesn't make me hate the dog obviously not the cat. bloody iPhone.

MidniteScribbler · 04/12/2013 07:54

Quite frankly, anyone who claims to love their pet, but are quite prepared for it to be wandering around the neighbourhood are the people who baffle me. I love my dogs, and I want them safe in the backyard or laying around my house with me. Not wandering around the suburbs where they are at risk.

Colinbakergotfat · 04/12/2013 07:54

I don't have cats. I don't much like them. I am struggling to see the practicalities of climbing fences following your cat with a bag to pick up its shit. I think I'd probably report someone for trespassing if I saw them into garden stalking a cat waiting for it to shit.

If I had a cat and a neighbour politely asked me to come round and do it I would without hesitation - as would most people probably.

It is annoying, but isn't it just a hazard of (particularly urban) life? Like pollution and traffic jams.