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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know feck all about cats, but surely this isnt right?! aibu to interfere?

94 replies

Dontunderstand01 · 28/05/2015 18:00

Friend has just got kitten, 6 weeks old. She is going on holiday a week on sat, for a whole week. Kitten will be left alone, with someone popping in once or twice a day. Aibu to think the kitten is too small and likely to hurt herself? I have never had a pet (allergies) so I don't know if I am being ott, but I am concerned for the pet.

I have tried to mention my concerns but she dismissed them. If I call the rscpa, or the owner of her flat, she will probably think its me because I already said I was concerned. She also has fallen out with a neighbour and I worry if I report her she would unfairly blame it on her.

Cat owners-help!

OP posts:
Moln · 28/05/2015 20:34

Oh how awful, I got my cat when he was just 6 weeks, he was so small. I got him at that age because he'd been dumped and a friend found him.

I used to have to leave him for a few hours a day due to work, but he was desperate for attention and cuddles when I came in. I could never ever have left him for longer. A week is far too long with minimal company.

Toria2014 · 28/05/2015 20:35

Do not let that kitten be left on its own!

This is one of those situations where something has to be done.

ferretyfeet · 28/05/2015 21:34

Please I beg you do not let this stupid woman leave this tiny baby for that length of time,it's outrageous that she is even considering the idea.Report her if she doesn't sort it ,I think you will always regret it if you don't do something. Good Luck

Madeyemoodysmum · 28/05/2015 21:46

I'm getting a pair of kittens soon and have this dilemma though only for 3 nights. We found a cattery that would take them. They will be 11 week as when we are away and they have each other I still feel bad though but circumstances are unavoidable.

I would offer to have the kitten if it was my friend. Six weeks is tiny and they aren't supposed to leave mum till 8\9 weeks.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/05/2015 21:49

If you don't want to report her then I would appeal to her baser instincts. Ask her if its litter trained and does she want to come back to a place stinking of cat's pee and shit? Persuade her that its in her interests to leave the kitten with someone so it doesn't make a mess. (who knows maybe she'll forget about it when she comes back and it will have a better life!)

Seriouslyffs · 28/05/2015 21:50

I bet they got it from facebook or gumtree. Sad

sparkysparkysparky · 28/05/2015 21:51

She should, as a bare minimum, cough up for a cattery that is prepared to take them that young - it won't have had all its jabs so I doubt she'll find one
Please tell her to give the kitten back to a REPUTABLE rescue place and give them a sizeable donation to cover it.. She can rethink her cat ownership aspirations when sheâ??s learned what's involved or got some compassion for non - humans. Whichever comes first.

Topseyt · 28/05/2015 21:52

She is being totally irresponsible.

That is akin almost to having a baby and then leaving it while you go on holiday with someone just popping in twice a day to feed it a bottle and change a nappy.

Either she gets a live-in pet sitter for the duration of her holiday or you will inform the Animal Warden and/or the RSPCA.

I got my cat when he was seven weeks old. He was tiny, and always getting into scrapes. Far too young to have been left for any length of time.

Ceasre · 28/05/2015 21:53

That is disgusting. What an irresponsible idiot! Poor kitten.

MrsJackAubrey · 28/05/2015 22:08

makes me fume the way people treat pets like ... well, playthings. The kitten will be missing crucial socialising time and will wreck the house in its distress.

RSPCA vote here, too

MammaTJ · 28/05/2015 22:32

Seriously, what is with these people adopting kittens before the minimum, that is very MINIMUM of 8 weeks that a kitten can be separated from it's mother?

MammaTJ · 28/05/2015 22:37

Actually equate it to human babies, they wean at around four weeks, so human time, 1.5 times the time it has begun to wean, 9 months! Would you leave a 9 month old baby at home alone?

Gabilan · 28/05/2015 22:42

Mamma, my two were able to live fairly natural lives in their early months. When the CPL trapped them, at 8 months old, they were still together and living with their mother. They're not pack animals the way dogs are but they can still be quite sociable given the chance. As feral as they are, they follow me down the drive when I leave for work and they wait for me to come home. I agree with you, there's no way they should be separated when so young.

sadwidow28 · 28/05/2015 22:55

You had the correct answer from Cressula - 3rd post page 1:

"At six weeks the kitten should still be with its mother. Definitely too small to be alone for a whole week."

At 6 weeks, the kitten may not even be successfully weaned. Where did your neighbour get the kitten from? is she able to look after a 6 week old kitten even without the holiday complication?

I have only had such young kittens when they were born to my own cat. I left her to do the nursing but helped with hygiene and socialisation - and eventually moving the kittens onto more solid food around 8-9 weeks old. They have tiny stomachs so weaning itself is a challenging and careful process. They need 4 small meals a day, at regular intervals, when being introduced to solids.

Kittens should not be adopted (re-homed) until after their first round of vaccinations.

  • 6 weeks First Vaccination - Temporary
  • 10 Weeks Booster Vaccination
  • 14 Weeks Final Vaccination

Don't allow this kitten to be left alone. Phone the RSPCA and tell them about the situation.

Original poster
Dontunderstand01 · 28/05/2015 23:10

Firstly, I amvery sorry if I upset any one. I have extremely limited knowledge of pets due to a very bad fur allergy. I didn't know she had the kitten until I went to her flat, otherwise I wouldn't have gone. I instinctively thought that leaving the kitten was a bad idea, I had no idea how bad until now.

I will contact someone... a few people have said the rspca are no good, but perhaps I can try?!

Please be assured our friendship is over and I can't quite believe her stupidity. I feel very sad, frustrated angry and confused.

OP posts:
ACSlater · 28/05/2015 23:15

Where are you? I'm sure someone here can find something helpful

Original poster
Dontunderstand01 · 28/05/2015 23:20

How can I pm someone? Sorry for being dim.

OP posts:
TracyBarlow · 28/05/2015 23:22

God I'm no animal lover, in fact I actively dislike care, but this has made me weep. That poor little thing Sad

Why do these people call themselves animal lovers when they clearly have no clue what loving animals means? So sad.

TracyBarlow · 28/05/2015 23:23

I actively dislike cats FFS

Koalafications · 28/05/2015 23:26

I feel so sorry for this kitten Sad

OP, choose the poster you want to PM and there should be a message poster option. If you are in your phone, click the three dots next to their post.

Original poster
Dontunderstand01 · 28/05/2015 23:30

Its horrific tbh tracyb. I knew it was bad but now I realise my 'friend' is... well, I don't want to say. I feel too upset to really say anything else. I will find a way to report her. I think I will leave the thread now, each post makes me more and more angry at her, and more and more sad for her kitten.

I will do something mnetters, I promise.

OP posts:
BettyCatKitten · 28/05/2015 23:39

Well done for doing something about this op.
As a cat owner this is very neglectful and dangerous for this poor kittenSad

IndridCold · 28/05/2015 23:51

OP - Try contacting the Cats Protection League for help, if you have a local branch.

Don't feel bad, it's your friend that is causing the rage here!

flicksake · 29/05/2015 00:11

Can you let us know how things go? Can't stop thinking about that poor wee kitten, crying and scared Hmm

CatthiefKeith · 29/05/2015 00:18

Pm me the address. I love kittens. Smile

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