Neighbours who spend hours calling for their cat each night?

[OohAahBird]

They stand at the front door calling for their cat, she is very elderly and I know she worries but its also keeping me awake every night when I am trying to fall asleep.
I can't decide whether to keep ignoring it while inwardly going 'its a cat!' Or to have a word with her daughter, if the cat doesn't come she leaves it 5 min then starts again, so just as you think it's finished it can start up, sometimes it can go on for over an hour and she doesn't stop till the cat is in so sometimes it can be really late.

Sorry to hear you’re being kept up at night. But she’s an elderly, probably lonely, lady who wants to make sure her cat is safe. I highly doubt she’s doing it to upset you.

I think yabu, the majority of people live in close promixity to their neighbours so you are likely to hear noises associated with their daily lives.

Their alternative is to leave a cat outside who isn't used to being outside all night, and worry all night about whether it's OK. So if the cat hasn't come in, of course they're going to continue calling. It may be just a cat to you but it's a loved companion and housemate to them.

You could ask if they could bring the cat in earlier.

If you want to be devious about it, explain that dusk is the worst time for cats catching birds.

Should also add that the ‘it’s a cat’ attitude isn’t kind. The cat probably means a great deal to her, yes they’re capable of being out on their own, but for all you know the cat could be diabetic and needs medication.

OhAhBird have a friendly word and ask them to call the cat in earlier

Hours on end isn’t ideal, if it genuinely is keeping you up then obviously have a word but ‘it’s just a cat’ to you, to her it’s her pet. I regularly have to walk the streets at all hours shaking a bag of Dreamies trying to get my boy in, I can’t sleep knowing he’s locked out all night, I’d hate to think I’m keeping the neighbors up though.

The 'its a cat' comment is in relation to the fact that most cats roam far and wide and don't normally respond to being called.

Offer to help her have a cat flap installed in her back door.

Fully aware she is obviously worried and can't sleep till its in, just think it is a slightly doomed to failure exercise. With the fact that the cat doesn't actually respond and come in.

They have a cat flap, this hasn't just started by the way it's been going on for years, its just gotten a lot worse recently or I am trying to get to sleep earlier so I am noticing it more.

I don't like my cats being out at night. The youngest is a bugger, I've chased him around the garden before in my socks trying to catch him lol

I think you should definitely say that it is disturbing you, preferably to her herself.

You haven’t said what time OP. If she is calling at 8pm YABU. 11pm YANBU

Normally starts around 9.30 but can go on till midnight. She calls about 5-8 times and then stops and starts again 5-10 min later

I'd suggest she shakes a bag of dreamies instead, cats often respond quicker to food. Her cat will be her companion and she will worry about it until it's home safe.

I agree with PPs - the cat is obviously much loved and the old lady would worry if she didn’t get her in at night. We don’t like leaving our cat out all night either.
I’m sure she doesn’t mean to disturb you or annoy you intentionally- sometimes it’s best to let things go. She’s old and she loves her cat.
Earplugs?

I don't see her out of the house these days, but see her daughter most days walking their dog, her daughter lives with her.
Am torn cause although it is driving me slightly batty she obviously is not able to let it go until they are in.
Anyway she is at it right now which is why I am still awake

Sadly can't wear earplugs as i use cerezen in my ears to stop me grinding my teeth and need to hear the kids as well

Could you speak to her and ask her if she could get some dreamies or something to tempt the cat in? That usually works

Can imagine it's annoying.. How about some timed background music/white noise between those hours?
Where are you btw OP? There is a crazed 'cat killer' local to us, and the advice is to ensure cats are in at night. She may just be concerned for her cats safety, and following this advice?

Eat plugs.she's probably got no idea that you can hear her and she's not doing it to annoy you .imo you are being unreasonable op,try to see it from her pov.And if she is very elderly it probably won't be for much longer....

I think I may suggest they try food as the calling isn't generally working, the cats pretty old, can't remember when it first started but she has been doing it a least a couple of years but the cat doesn't seem to be responding like it used to as it's gotten to be most nights and going on for longer and later.
It just used to amuse me, cause I have never known a cat who responded to voice commands, though I am aware they do exist!

It’s difficult if you have neighbours - not everyone will be trying to sleep at 10:45pm - and some people like to sleep later in the mornings so may be ‘disturbed’ by doors banging, cars engines starting up for work/school run etc.
I feel sorry for the old lady 😔

Midnight is pretty late, I would not let my cat be out that late and I would want to be in bed myself.

I don't think it's ok at all to keep calling out up til midnight and it would really annoy me too. Our neighbours call their dog in, but that's 2 min of calling and the dog does actually go. But it is loud, we live in a quiet area and that's the noisiest thing as they shout loudly.

No idea how to approach her but it is unreasonable to keep shouting out loudly in your neighbourhood after about 10pm.

Just a thought - our old cat developed a form of dementia and was also became very deaf - so maybe her cat is just becoming more vulnerable now she’s elderly, hence the old lady’s increased concern?