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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stupid Neighour Disowned Cat.

202 replies

tararabumdeay · 26/01/2019 17:47

He's been an outdoor cat for so long. A fella that sits on car bonnets to keep warm as soon as we pull up. He's 19 and obviously good at looking out for himself to last that long since she chucked him out for weeing and pooping in the house about 10 years ago.

He's nervous, but when it was cold my son managed to entice him to a warm place on the telephone table in the hall.

She's now stopped feeding him (outside) because she's assumed that he's our cat now and we've got no cat food. If I wanted a cat I'd not chose a 19 year old one but he's a little life that deserves respect.

What the hell can I give him? We're non meat eaters but have a tin of salmon. I can't see him cold and hungry.

I've never had a pet/animal apart from a fish that died when I was watching the 'Golden Shot' when I was 5.

The AIBU is why should I pay for cat food because neighbour has taken umbrage or sees an opportunity to save a couple of quid a week?

I can't afford it either as not yet met Mr Micawber's definition of Happiness.

Cat has just scoffed half an Aldi burger - that can't be good for him. Aldi burger is DHs choice of lunch. I'd kick him DH out in the cold for that if I could.

OP posts:
TheCakeCrusader · 26/01/2019 18:13

Have you spoken to your neighbour first about the concerns regarding feeding/ caring for this cat?

If you are worried that the cat is longer being cared for by the neighbour, I would also contact your local RSPCA or animal shelter for further advice.

Original poster
tararabumdeay · 26/01/2019 18:18

Thank you for all the replies. I'm in tears now thinking how much you all care.

I can't get cat food tonight. I've got a tin of pink salmon from before I stopped eating meat. He absolutely noshed the half a burger.

I'm so annoyed with my neighbour.

OP posts:
minkies11 · 26/01/2019 18:19

If you don't want to look after him then take him to a shelter. Really simple. Don't prevaricate and leave him hungry while you rage against your neighbour - I doubt she gives a fuck. He's old and needs help - plenty of places will help him if you won't. Don't worry too much about half a burger - he was probably glad to have it!

Pk37 · 26/01/2019 18:20

He will love the salmon. Thank you for looking out for him, many wouldn’t

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 26/01/2019 18:24

You dont have to take responsibility for this cat, you chose to do so. Catch it, call the RSPCA. Problem solved

A cat is an out door animal, it will look after its self, it has fur, it will catch mice and birds, it knows you are the mug with the tin opener. That is why it is coming to you and ten of your neighbours too

Sexnotgender · 26/01/2019 18:26

Please don’t take a 19 year old cat to the shelter/rspca. All they’ll do is put him to sleep.

OP you’re lovely for taking him in and your neighbour is an arse.

Scrambled eggs is a good shout. Any tinned fish or plain chicken would work if you have any.

Dontsweatthelittlestuff · 26/01/2019 18:32

Don’t take him to the rspca as they have a kill policy. Find a local cat rescue as they will more likely take him in and will find someone to foster him. Many local rescue centres are run from peoples homes and if you find one like my local one they will probably just keep him.

EnteratA · 26/01/2019 18:33

A 212g tin of salmon should feed him tonite and tmrw. Then call Cats Protection. I used to volunteer for them. They never kill a cat unless seriously ill or its quality of life is compromised. Where are you? I can get phone no and email for you.

whatamidoingwithmylife · 26/01/2019 18:34

@Sexnotgender is right - RSPCA will put him down (if they can even be bothered to come out).
Is there a local no kill shelter nearby?

I'd talk to your neighbour and tell her if she's not going to feed him anymore then you'll contact a shelter to report it and have him taken away from her. Advise her you don't intend/can't afford to feed him so it's up to her whether she loses the cat or not.

Poor thing, the thought of it being out in this recent awful weather is so upsetting.

SneakyGremlins · 26/01/2019 18:35

Can we have a rough area where you are OP?

ScreamingValenta · 26/01/2019 18:36

If you're short of meat, cats will eat scrambled eggs - I always fed mine scrambled eggs if they were recovering from surgery.

PurpleFlower1983 · 26/01/2019 18:38

Cats Protection is the best way forward if you can contain him. Poor old boy. Sad Well done for looking out for him. He will love the salmon!

phlebasconsidered · 26/01/2019 18:39

My neighbour has 3 outdoor living cats and they are fine. It's the not feeding that's the issue. We purchased our house off a cat rescue lady and she had small shelters down one side of the garden. The neighbour has the same.
You can build a small shelter from bricks, no mortar necessary if you stack them properly, and a bit of plywood for a roof. It only has to be small, (ours were just shy of 500cm sq) with a small entrance. Some old jumpers and towels in. The cat will nest in it and it's plenty warm. Then just some cheap cat food.

MrsBertBibby · 26/01/2019 18:41

Definitely call Cats Protection. Don't take on an elderly cat if you can't afford it, it isn't just food, it's vet bills and treatments. They can talk to your neighbour and take him in.

Cats don't belong out doors in a British winter. They aren't a native species.

wombatron · 26/01/2019 18:45

Poor thing probably hasn't been flea or worm treated either. Yes he will probably love the salmon tin. As PP have said, some cheap food would do him most likely - sounds like her next door hasn't invested much in him.

Don't forget to put some water down for him :)

Congrats on your new old cat!

BarbarianMum · 26/01/2019 18:46

Has she told you she's stopped feeding him? If not, are you sure she has - she's been doing it for 10 years after all.

WunderBlah · 26/01/2019 18:51

How do you know the cat is abandoned? Have you gone and knocked on your neighbour's door and had a conversation about the cat?

GalacticChickenShit · 26/01/2019 18:54

Why did you think to feed him a burger, instead of the salmon?

Speak to the neighbour, don't just set about feeding their cat shit without their permission.

CanIcryandlaugh20 · 26/01/2019 18:57

20 months ago this cat from up the road spent more time in our garden and was always hungry.
He would sit on the window ledge all night. In the end I took him to the vets for him checked now over and then bought him home and let him in. I left a note in their door and they never came to us to ask for him back.
His now a slightly chubby lazy spoilt little shit who we love dearly 😂

ddodprob · 26/01/2019 18:59

If you’re anywhere near me op I have a ton of cat food that I bought in error (don’t ask how). It genuinely is cheap (hence me not even bothering to send it back).

countrygirl99 · 26/01/2019 19:00

First check your neighbour really has stopped feeding him. We had one who was a real "6 dinner sid". He would turn up at any bbq in our area pretending he hadn't been fed for weeks when in reality he had a very good quality diet., he was just a pig.It caused very, very serious problems with one neighbour who decided we must be wicked - 11 years on we still don't talk and if she was on life support I'd unplug it to charge my phone.

GalacticChickenShit · 26/01/2019 19:02

You have no idea if the cat is on special diet, or medication that restricts what it should be eating.

WunderBlah · 26/01/2019 19:05

and old cats are always on the expensive meds!

Most cats are greedy bastards. Wolfing stuff down is not necessarily an indicator of neglect, neither is being outside.

justasking111 · 26/01/2019 19:06

He wont need a litter tray would not know what to do with it. Just throw him out to do his business. Cats are very clean and will normally ask to go out.

Original poster
tararabumdeay · 26/01/2019 19:10

I thought about feeding the burger instead of salmon because the salmon is tinned and salty. And he's 19 so I'd give him a million dollars to blow out in Vegas if I could.

I thought about offering half a burger because it's all the meat we had apart from tinned salty stuff.

OP posts: