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Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Gabilan · 29/05/2015 08:16

"How can I pm someone? Sorry for being dim."

If you're on a laptop or desktop go to My Mumsnet near the top right of the screen. Click on Inbox and then New Message.

You've nothing to apologise for OP. Well done for speaking up for an animal that has no voice.

Try these people, you can check for your nearest branch www.cats.org.uk/ They do a lot for cats. I'd donate to them before the RSPCA every time.

flanjabelle · 29/05/2015 08:21

Sorry to disappoint but I highly doubt the rspca will do anything. The kitten has food and water as someone is coming in to it. they put tape on the doors to check someone is coming in and that's it really. Awful situation, but other than breaking in and stealing the kitten there really isn't much you can do.

Original poster

Dontunderstand01 · 29/05/2015 09:18

Flanj, it seems to be the consensus that the rspca are shit! Cats protecttion website says they can't take enforcement and refer to the rspca, so I think my best option is to contact her landlord (a housing association), and inform them, as she isn't meant to have a pet.

OP posts:

Faithless · 29/05/2015 09:48

I'm a cat owner and agree that this kitten seems very young to be away from it's mother.
Maybe the person who is popping in to look after it could have it in his/her home for the week instead? Even if they have other pets, a kitten can be kept in one room away from them, however it needs to be played with, fed regularly and generally have company.

heatseeker14 · 29/05/2015 09:57

Would the person she bought it from have the kitten back for the week, at 6 weeks old it shouldn't have left its mum anyway? Why did your friend not wait to collect the kitten?

MissBattleaxe · 29/05/2015 10:22

If I were you i would try the RSPCA anyway as well as the Housing Association, but I would be afraid of them taking too long.

Your friend sounds like what she actually wants is a cuddly toy.

I'm afraid that when she comes back and sees how much cat shit and piss there is everywhere that she might not want the poor kitten, if its still alive by then.

She obviously didn't get it from any sort of cat rescue centre or they wouldn't have allowed her to have one.

OP well done for doing something.

Ohbollocksandballs · 29/05/2015 10:26

Why on earth would someone get a kitten just before going on holiday Way too young.

I thought kittens aren't supposed to be away from their mother until at least 8 weeks anyway?

MrsHathaway · 29/05/2015 10:31

I think my best option is to contact her landlord (a housing association), and inform them, as she isn't meant to have a pet

Oh, blimey. So she's completely irresponsible rather than just a bit thoughtless.

Would the person she bought it from have the kitten back for the week, at 6 weeks old it shouldn't have left its mum anyway?

Someone who would let a person take a 5-/6-week kitten has no sense of responsibility or kindness, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

For context, our family is desperate to have a cat, or in fact more than one. But we have held off for four years so that our DC will not be babies, and are now holding off until after the summer holidays so that said cats will not have to be left alone while they're babies. And no cat will enter our house whole, so no more abandoned babies.

Stinkersmum · 29/05/2015 10:34

I wish there were more cat minded people like you MrsHathaway.

Psippsina · 29/05/2015 10:36

I don't suppose she would let you keep it for a week while she is away? Or someone else who is good with cats?

SuperFlyHigh · 29/05/2015 10:43

OP - just for reference my kitten came to me when he was 4 and a half months old and even then spent his first 2 weeks with me most of the time in the spare room hiding under an Ikea church bench!

6 weeks this poor kitten needs to have human interaction and someone to keep an eye on it.

It isn't your fault at all OP, you've done the right thing coming here and asking for advice - in the Talk section here there is a Litter Tray section which is for cats. They may have some ideas or help and are very nice there!

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 29/05/2015 10:49

Psippsina
The OP is allergic to cats so can't offer to take the kitten.

Psippsina · 29/05/2015 10:52

Sorry, I missed that

QueenStromba · 29/05/2015 10:58

I felt bad leaving my 11 week old kitten alone while I went to work even though I had someone come in to feed him and play with him at lunchtime.

MrsHathaway · 29/05/2015 13:26

I wish there were more cat minded people like you MrsHathaway.

Assuming no sarcasm (you can never tell on AIBU) I don't see it as cat-minded, just common bloody sense.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a dog but I am too damn idle and probably too busy to walk it multiple times every single day so I content myself with very occasionally borrowing other people's dogs. And I'd love to have a pair of donkeys but I think they'd get pretty hungry grazing our postage stamp.

Stinkersmum · 29/05/2015 14:03

None whatsoever!!!! I rescue/foster/TNR cats. If other people had your attitude there'd be a lot less of people like me needed.

Gabilan · 29/05/2015 20:21

I'd love to have a dog too but I don't because it would be selfish of me. I deliberately got older cats who were happy to live out and be independent. They were feral until I got them.

Stinkersmum they were TNR but they're surprisingly tame now, at least with me. I feel very flattered that they trust me as much as they do.

Stinkersmum · 29/05/2015 20:26

Gabilan my current 5 pet cats were all street/feral. Now currently lounging around the house in varying states of snoozeville.

Gabilan · 29/05/2015 20:33

Aw. All the stuff I've read says mine shouldn't be as tame as they are. Fortunately the cats haven't read that stuff.

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