Named changed as I am a regular poster and do not want to be recognised
For context, neighbours moved in around 8 months ago and we get on very well. Their kids play with my kids. Kids have been over for movie night, we’ve helped them a couple of times on the school run when mum had her baby a few weeks ago
So I have a 1 year old cat who was only a few months old when they moved. The kids love my cat. We’ve always let them come over and play with her whenever they want. We had her neutered and started letting her out around 2 months ago. Since then, the neighbours kids have been actively encouraging her to go over to their garden. A couple of times I saw them actually pick her up and take her into their house. She didn’t seem best pleased.
Anyway, i had a word to the kids and told their mum that I have no problem with them playing with the cat in my garden or in my home, but please could they not pick her up and take her in their house. She has a condition where she is on lifetime medication that makes her wee a lot and needs contact access to her litter tray. I also mentioned this to the mum.
A few days later I call the cat to come in and hear her meowing. Look up and see her crying and clawing by their bedroom window trying to get out. I went straight over to knock, mum answered saying sorry but she didn’t realise the kids must have taken her up to their room and they’d shut the door so she couldn’t get out. I was a little annoyed but politely asked again to please tell her kids not to pick up the cat and especially not to take her into their house. Reminded her again about cat needing the litter tray.
So, a few days later I hear banging on the door. Mum from next door has come over to tell me that she’s come home to cat locked in their bedroom where she has peed all over their bed. She is now telling me I have to get her a new bed as she can’t get the smell out.
Aibu to tell her it’s her kids fault as not my responsibility to get her a new bed?