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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:
Lepetitpiggy · 28/01/2019 08:03

You actually sound a bit odd. I understand you don't want this poor cat, but you are being a bit hysterical and strange about it all. Cats don't need entertaining and if you don't want him on your antique table, lift him gently off and put him on a blanket or something!

NotANotMan · 28/01/2019 08:04

How do you KNOW the neighbour has stopped feeding him and is annoyed with you?

If you don't want the cat, don't keep the cat. Take him to a shelter as abandoned.

popcornwizard · 28/01/2019 08:13

At 19 and with nobody to love it, I would take it to the vets. It's too old to cope with a complete change of lifestyle and environment - you'll have to kick your neighbour into being a responsible pet owner. To do this you'll have to speak actual words to her, go and knock on the door and be an adult.

And how the hell can a cat wreck a table by sitting on it for too long?

MoreCheeseDear · 28/01/2019 08:14

Ask the RSPCA to take it away. Or some other charity.

Crimson72 · 28/01/2019 08:20

And how the hell can a cat wreck a table by sitting on it for too long?

Exactly - just bizarre!

Kittykat93 · 28/01/2019 09:02

Fucks sake op. I'm sorry but you need to take the poor thing to a rescue if you dislike keeping him so much (as long as you are sure the neighbour no longer wants him ofc),

It was a good thing you did to take him in and let him feed and sleep, but you just sound so pissed off about it, so the best thing for everyone would be to try and get the cat a nice place to be loved for his time left. Poor thing.

GalacticChickenShit · 28/01/2019 09:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KittensAndCake · 28/01/2019 12:40

you're the one with the son who retrieved the suitcase from the slip road.

Oh no, is that her? No wonder we can't get a straight answer out of her 🤪😂

SneakyGremlins · 28/01/2019 12:41

What?

youaremyrain · 28/01/2019 13:14

If you tell the RSPCA that you've fed it they will say, "it's now your responsibility"

19lottie82 · 28/01/2019 13:15

Cats Protection won’t put him to sleep. Give them a call Smile

blueangel1 · 28/01/2019 18:48

Frankly, my heart is breaking for this poor cat. It is 19 years old and unwanted. For Heaven's sake contact someone like Cats Protection or the Celia Hammond Trust. The RSPCA will put it down and the all it wants is food, warmth and a bit of compassion.

PorkPatrol · 28/01/2019 19:00

I realise you’re not going to answer this bit has the neighbour actually told you they’re not feeding the cat?
Because if you’re just going by it being scrawny a lot of old cats get like that. My sisters did and it was a house cat and well fed - it ate ham and chicken and all kinds. Saw it eat a sausage roll once.
I agree that it’s not a good idea to feed an elderly cat without checking if it has any dietary needs.
Speak to your neighbour. If they have abandoned it then maybe ask around if anyone else can take it in if you can’t afford to.

Pk37 · 28/01/2019 19:20

PorkPatrol very true .
My cat when I was growing up got quite skinny in old age and funnily enough some well meaning busy body took her to the Rspca and she was put down . We didn’t find out the last bit until a year later when the stupid woman told my mum.
We assumed she was taken in to someone’s house when she didn’t come home but no one replied to our posters

RainbowBriteRules · 28/01/2019 19:40

Pk37 Flowers. How horrific. People can be so awful. I think it should be illegal to steal someone’s cat unless they have actually been proved to be mistreating it.

wigglypiggly · 28/01/2019 19:47

Poor old cat, no one cares about it, be kind and call cat protection, hopefully there is someone who will love it for its final years. Cats don't ruin furniture by sitting on it and rarely need much entertainment at that age.

spugzbunny · 28/01/2019 20:09

This poor cat. I feel terrible for him! Where are you, you can send the poor thing to me!

Florries · 28/01/2019 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chimmychunga · 28/01/2019 20:23

53rdWay Your comment had me in stitches!!!

“hello RSPCA, my neighbours didn’t want this cat.”
“Did they tell you that?”
“I fed it a burger, they’re not feeding it.”
“Did they say this to you?”
“It’s sat by my radiator and my neighbour is grumpy with me.”
“So have the neighbours given it to you? No? Yes?”
“It’s ruined my antique telephone table.”

Fleetwoodsnack · 29/01/2019 12:55

Use the antique fox fur to protect the antique table from the antique cat?

longwayoff · 30/01/2019 08:26

Antique telephone table? Can there be such a thing?

RayRayBidet · 30/01/2019 09:00

If you can't/don't want to take him in then stop encouraging him to come in.
Talk to his owner.
If she doesn't want him find a shelter to take him.

BlueEyedBengal · 31/01/2019 00:04

If you don't want him around stop feeding him and confusing the cat. He thinks you want him as you invite him in and feed and fuss him. He will get the message and return to his owner after getting nowhere with you she will then take him back. If she didn't totally want him he would never of got to the ripe old age he is.

sweetkitty · 31/01/2019 00:24

Poor old soul

You need to have a conversation with your neighbour and find out if she has stopped feeding the poor cat and does she mind you taking him in and feeding him.

for someone who doesn’t want a cat you’ve gone out of your way to entice one into your home by feeding it.

You do sound a bit odd btw.

Original poster
tararabumdeay · 31/01/2019 23:21

He's still here. We've bought and given food, changed his bedding, cleared up a poo or two.

He even came in the front room to have a look around just now. I heard his leg click, so did DH, just a little click and he does limp a little on his right hand back leg.

Owner is avoiding us completely and btw he's not stolen - she chucked him out years ago. She gives him dry food outside the front door in the morning sometimes. He's very keen to have the meat/wet food we've given him for the past four nights.

This thread is hilarious. It's cold; cat's warm.

OP posts: