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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to keep my cat in for 3 weeks

17 replies

lyralalala · 08/09/2019 00:03

One of our neighbours is an absolute PITA for feeding other people's cats.

Now I know that cats get fed in other places etc etc, but this couple have a cat who is often flea ridden, they openly say he's never seen a vet and when their last cat developed kidney problems due to old age they simply kicked him out when he started peeing in the house so they are not good cat owners.

They say they don't feed my cat, but I know they do. My cat was hand reared from tiny (by me) and is very timid. I've seen their daughter lift her several times and stopped her from taking her into their house. I have no doubt this happens when I don't see. After a week where I knocked every evening to see if she was there if they do let her in they always put her out before I call her in at 10pm. In our house she comes and goes as she pleases, and they say they always leave the door open and she wanders into theirs, but I seen them letting her out a few times before.

They are moving house. The sold board went up a couple of weeks ago. My other neighbour mentioned to me today that they are moving in 3 weeks and are moving bits and bobs to their new house between now and then.

AIBU to just keep my cat in for the next three weeks in case they decide to just acquire her?

If I thought they'd care for her and she'd chosen them I'd be less paranoid about her, but she takes medication every day and I know for a fact they'd never foot the vet bills. Plus every time I, or my kids, have seen the cat leaving their house she's sprinted out the door and ran home so I genuinely don't think she has chosen another house (her mother used to split her time between us and next door and that was
fine because she chose that, and they didn't feed her shite). Most of the time she's desperate to use her litter box - she usually is out all day, comes in and uses the box, then goes back out again!

The cat will hate being confined indoors for a few weeks though, but short term pain for long term gain? I don't trust them at all, and I have no idea where they are moving too so it wouldn't even be easy to get her back.

OP posts:

PennyPittstop · 08/09/2019 00:07

I have cats. In the same circumstances I'd keep my cats in. I bet you will be glad when they have moved.

Original poster

lyralalala · 08/09/2019 00:25

I can't wait for them to go.

It'll be interesting to see if they bother taking the little collection of (genuine) strays that they feed

OP posts:

MunchMunch · 08/09/2019 00:34

YANBU

I'd definitely keep your cat in under the circumstances. You know they won't take the strays with them so is there someone else who could continue to feed them or a charity that could help re-home them?

recklessruby · 08/09/2019 00:36

Keep her in till they go. I wouldn't trust them and its cruel to be kind really. Its just short term.
They sound rubbish owners. We lost our elderly cat to kidney disease last year and kept her comfortable as possible in a safe place as long as possible. Accidents with peeing just got cleared up because we loved her.
Your cat is loved by you but would have a rubbish life if they stole her
They would never take her to a vet so no chip would be found to identify her.
On another note, they sound bonkers. Why do they keep acquiring cats with no intention of looking after them?

Original poster

lyralalala · 08/09/2019 00:44

I've spoken to cats protection numerous times about the strays. Hopefully they'll be more proactive if they abandon them.

Why do they keep acquiring cats with no intention of looking after them?

With mine it's because their daughter loves her. She can pick her up and pet her and she'll never nip or scratch. The strays I don't understand.

She's so timid one kid once (and I roared at him so loud from the window he's never so much as looked at her again!) picked her up by the tail and she just miaowed and wriggled.

I never used to let her out because I was worried about other cats because she's so timid (our cats neutering was fucked up. She got pregnant very young, died shortly after birthing the kittens and Raven was the only kitten to survive so she had no cats to learn from). Then a cat managed to get into our house and I discovered that she might be as timid as anything with humans, but she fends for herself with cats just fine!

OP posts:

InglouriousBasterd · 08/09/2019 00:54

I’d definitely keep her in personally.

Rachelover40 · 08/09/2019 01:01

You're not unreasonable, I would keep the cat in, maybe not for three weeks but for a week or so before your neighbours move. I bet it'll be a big relief when they go.

Jimdandy · 08/09/2019 01:04

Keep her in then when you let her out again butter her paws. It’s an old wives tale but it hopefully works?

HoomanMoomin · 08/09/2019 01:23

I would keep her in for 3 months, just in case if they return specifically for cat.

Ilovemypantry · 08/09/2019 01:38

I would keep her in for maybe just a week before the neighbours move so you can be sure they don’t take her with them. I would also be concerned for the strays they will leave behind who will have their food source cut off.

Original poster

lyralalala · 08/09/2019 01:41

She'd hate being kept in for 3 months, it'll be tough enough to keep her in for 3 weeks with the kids being in and out

@Jimdandy The butter trick wouldn't work as it's the daughter lifting her that's the issue. She comes home as soon as the door is open. She escaped from her cat carrier at the vet once and made her way home so I have no worries about her wandering - it's them taking her that I'm concerned about.

If it wasn't for the fact I know the law is hopeless when people steal cats I'd be less worried.

OP posts:

Original poster

lyralalala · 08/09/2019 01:42

I'm thinking of keeping her in for the whole 3 weeks as the neighbour said they are moving stuff periodically through that period. I'm concerned they might take her, but then can pretend they haven't as they are still here. It's probably paranoia, but I don't trust them.

OP posts:

StroppyWoman · 08/09/2019 01:47

YANBU
Good luck

Mumsymumphy · 08/09/2019 01:48

For your own peace of mind and for your cat's protection, keep her in. She won't thank you but it is absolutely for the best.

Original poster

lyralalala · 08/09/2019 01:55

If only she was as fierce as she looks they might not be able to pick her up so easily!

OP posts:

Mumsymumphy · 08/09/2019 02:29

Aw she's gorgeous, all that fluff!

phenomenalcat · 08/09/2019 02:45

Keep her in. She won't mind as cats don't have a sense of time keeping she won't know how long it is - she's not going to keep checking her watch. Although if you see them all go out you could let her out for a bit supervised.
If they mention anything I would say she's ill and needs to stay inside. From what you say they're less likely to want an ill cat.
Fingers crossed they're soon gone.

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