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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The Neighbours Cat.

248 replies

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 10:24

Looking for some humane suggestions to keep the neighbours cat out of our property. I have a allergy to cats so I can't pick it up and take it back to them (DP has done this a couple of times).

We brought a "doer upper" and we've been living in it, in various states of disarray for the last few months. We can't have any of the windows open without us physically being in the room because without fail that neighbours cat comes in and pees, or poops, in our house. We had just redone a bedroom floor sanded, walls replastered, electrics all fixed up and as we had repainted we had the windows open. Went for lunch and the cat came in a peed on the sanded floors. Just one example to highlight the frustration.

We have a trampoline in the garden which was originally uncovered. Cat pooped on it regularly. We've now brought a cover - cat still poops on it regularly.

Most nights it starts fighting and it goes on for several hours - like 2 or 3. It sits on the wall at the end of our back garden. Sounds like someone is being murdered.

It's regularly decimating our bird feeders, it leaves dead things, semi-dead things, partially injured things all around our back patio.

The neighbours don't have a cat flap because "if the cat comes in it just pees on the floor". They feed the cat outside. The cat stays out the entire time. We've tried to talk to them and their attitude is along the lines of "well the cat was hear before you were and your house has been empty for years".

What's the best way to deal with it (the cat and the owners)? I don't want anything that will harm the cat - even though I don't like them. DP has taken the cat around to owners when we've caught it in the house. We've suggested a cat flap to them and litter tray. We've asked that they put a bell collar on it to give warning to the birds. We don't want to fall out with the neighbours but we are fed up with it. Also TTC and I don't want to be cleaning up anymore pet poop than I need to (ie. my dog).

OP posts:
JellyWitch · 30/12/2016 14:44

Cats Protection will neuter strays and shouldn't charge you. Take it them.

When you get back, lock it in your shower / bath and dowse it thoroughly in water - make it associate you and your home with misery. It shouldn't come back.

And I say this as a cat owner and lover.

Cary2012 · 30/12/2016 14:45

Katy07, 'pom poms' was what a little old lady who lived near us used to say! We had the most gorgeous ginger cat, but he was the local thug, and her little cat got a real hiding off him. Whilst I was apologising profusely to her (and praying she wouldn't send us the vet's bill, because Ginger's claw had to be surgically removed from her cat's head), she said "It's not your fault, you've had his pom poms removed, he just doesn't realise!"

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/12/2016 14:48

Lion dung in the garden. Otherwise a sonic cat scared.

I have 7 indoor cats and can't believe that the neighbours would not let the cat in. Why do they have it if they don't let it into the house

Mixdalot · 30/12/2016 14:58

So OP you are planning to take it to a charity, say it's a stray which is an outright lie, and get the charity to pay the costs of neutering a cat which is the property of someone else.

Nice.

I get that it's a massive problem for you but to deal with it with lies and taking money out of a charity's pocket is low, really low.

You don't even know if it's unneutered. Cats fight over territory, whether neutered or not, and the wailing could just mean there are lots of cats about.

Katy07 · 30/12/2016 15:04

And why deter your dog from seeing off the cat??? Katy - I've explained this upthread. I don't want my dog chasing cats because it could endanger him and I.
How is it going to endanger him, let alone you? Cat comes in through open window, dog sees / hears cat and runs at it, cat who is so much faster legs it back through window. Dog sits and wonders where cat has gone - slightly out of puff but happy with new game. Owner is happy that cat has gone. The end. Confused

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:04

Mixdalot Please point me to where I have said I am going to lie? Nice assumptions pulled out there.

"So OP you are planning to take it to a charity, say it's a stray which is an outright lie, and get the charity to pay the costs of neutering a cat which is the property of someone else.

Nice.

I get that it's a massive problem for you but to deal with it with lies and taking money out of a charity's pocket is low, really low."

OP posts:
MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:05

Katy Please read the thread. I have explained why I don't want my dog chasing cats.

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 30/12/2016 15:06

my understanding is that as we have a problem with feral cats in the area an un-neutered Tom would be neutered.

But doesn't say you can take someone else's cat and have it neutered without their permission?

And as I asked upthread, what will you do if the cat suffers implications or dies?

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:06

katy We've actively discouraged our dog from responding to cats because he's large. He'd probably never be able to catch up as his acceleration speeds are not that great, but if he did start reacting / chasing them, he would be able to pull me over if he was on the lead. Worry about him running in front of cars etc.

Also, don't feel it's too humane for the cats either!

As I said upthread.

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 30/12/2016 15:07
  • complications
MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 30/12/2016 15:08

Katy07 the Op has already explained that her dog is huge and she doesn't want him learning to chase as he could endanger both of them when he is out for a walk.

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:08

SuburbanRhonda I missed your post sorry, my understanding is that it wouldn't be my responsibility - it would be between the charity, the vets and the owners?

OP posts:
Witchend · 30/12/2016 15:08

My df had cat trouble, bought a super soaker and now he only has to pick it up and pump once, without firing and the cats flee.
I bought him a nerf gun for Christmas. Grin

Katy07 · 30/12/2016 15:08

Foxes wail. A lot. There was a group of them in neighbour's garden once - terrible noise in the night & I assumed it was a cat fight. Looked out the window - group of foxes running round garden having fun :)

A different neighbour has done that cat proofing thing to her fence to keep her cats within her garden - they've not made it out yet.

SuburbanRhonda · 30/12/2016 15:10

Why would it be the owner's responsibility if they hadn't given permission? I've always had to sign a consent form for any veterinary procedures performed on my cats.

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:12

SuburbanRhonda Well I am assuming from what's been posted the charity, or the vets, would contact the owner.

OP posts:
MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:14

katy wish our neighbours would cat proof their garden - that would solve the issue :-)

OP posts:
PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 30/12/2016 15:14

Borrow a dog to roam in the garden for a bit. Spray with water pistols/hose pipe etc/ you can buy stuff called cat-a-pult to spray round your garden to stop them messing (but has to be reapplied)
Also heard that orange peel or water bottles (with water in) scattered around can stop cats coming in

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 30/12/2016 15:16

Apologies, just read about your dog so scrap that idea

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:16

Thanks Peppa. Will go and google the cat-a-pult stuff now.

OP posts:
Katy07 · 30/12/2016 15:17

A dog that chases a cat in the house / garden won't necessarily chase a cat anywhere else. Mine certainly won't. And it doesn't traumatise the cat because my dog will leg it after my youngest cat in the garden (only after he's run for the fence first - I think she sees it as an extension of the games of chase that they initiate indoors) but the cat adores her. Eldest cat refuses to participate in running and so she wanders happily round garden with him.
If OP is worried that she'll not be able to handle the dog on the lead on walks then they need training (dog & owner) because a dog can be spooked into running after all sorts. Cats, squirrels, a dog or person that it likes and sees on the other side of the road... You have to be able to control a dog. And I'm not trying to be goady or rude - a dog that can't be controlled is no fun. There was one where we walk - dog wasn't dangerous, just difficult to control and stronger than owner. After about a year or so the owner had a couple of training sessions - totally different relationship between them now and the owner really enjoys the walks because she's in control. The dog is happier too.

Katy07 · 30/12/2016 15:20

Clingfilm on the windowsills can often deter cats (and dogs). Worth a try when decorating (except if painting the windowsills!) & needing a window open, or at other times. They don't the feel of it on their paws. Easy to remove when you close them. Might work on fences???

DontEatTheSweets · 30/12/2016 15:21

Sorry if it's been mentioned already but a motion activated water squirter works brilliantly. You can get them on Amazon. You can't use them in freezing temperatures though.

They are very effective.

QueenArnica · 30/12/2016 15:22

OP I really feel for you. Seems as though cats are the only animals you can call a pet yet have to take zero responsibility for.
I would give it a soaking as suggested and a boot up the arse if I could get near enough. I cannot abide the shrugging of shoulders of cat owners and cries of what can I do?
How exactly is this cat a pet? The owners have zero relationship with it other than shoving a bowl of food out in the garden! Angry

MountainPeaks · 30/12/2016 15:22

Katy My dog is exceptionally well trained. He's a working dog. He's large. We can't have him chasing animals. End of.

He's trained to hand signals, voice signals, and a whistle.

So take your ideas about an untrained dog right out of this thread.

OP posts: