AIBU by saying no to looking after the 'outdoor cat' which I've just been informed will be staying with the house for 'a few weeks' after completion?

[ExchangedCat]

Having recently exchanged the seller has been in touch to say they're taking all the pets except their 'outdoor cat' and could we look after it got a few weeks until they're settled?

We won't be moving in fully for the first few weeks as the house and garden need a fair bit of work. I'm also slightly worried that we have no idea where the cat is given the neglected state of the garden.

Voting:
YANBU - say no to the cat
YABU - say yes to the cat

Ask them what the cat looks like and then tell them no. If they still leave it behind, then report them to the RSPCA together with their forwarding address. Poor cat.

YANBU - not your responsibility. And you aren't even in the property.

But having said that, I would feed it, just because I couldn't bear to think of an animal being cold and hungry as we go into the winter and there isn't as much natural prey about.

Could they not have asked a neighbour (whom the presumably know) to feed it until they get back? They could leave a dozen tins of cat food and a bowl and let the neighbour do it.

Well. It’s shit, and they should come up with a solution, but it’s sctu possible there is no solution ... if it’s an outdoor cat (semi feral) then I’d reckon there’s a likelihood it hasn’t had its vaccinations, in which case no cattery will take it. If the ‘relative’ can’t accommodate it, they’re in a difficult position.

I’d say no, because you cannot be responsible for it, and stress that the best thing for the cat’s wellbeing (because of buidling works etc) is a cattery. But if the cat remains after completion, then they need to pay someone to come in and feed and look out for the cat, and that is anything happens - it goes missing etc - you cannot be responsible for it.

A flat "no" from me. You are not even in the area: why would you take responsibility for their pet?

I speak as a cat-lover who spent the afternoon of her house exchange scoring the old neighbourhood for one of her cats who went AWOL during the move. We did get the bugger back (and he was very relieved after visiting the empty house and thinking we had left him!).

I love cats so I'd probably agree personally, but looking at it from a more objective point of view, I do still think this is cheeky fuckery - why couldn't they have mentioned the cat before you exchanged? It's still their responsibility and they should be trying to find a better way of dealing with him, not just try and dump him on you, even temporarily, at the last minute.
I'd have to be honest and say you won't be moving in properly just yet, either, and ask where exactly the cat normally hangs out because you're worried he might have run off anyway.

waiting until after exchange to ask is pure manipulation, they’re trying to make you feel you have no choice

While I totally agree with this, realistically OP doesn't have a choice - even if they now agree to take it, they'll just lie that "the cat escaped when we were driving off"

Much as I love cats (eyes utterly spoiled pair on my sofa) I'd be calling Cats Protection

I would jump on the opportunity and agree enthusiastically. I am always keen to acquire a cat though

Say No, and explain you won’t be about to care for him.

8% of people are part of the "Kitty Stockholm Syndrome" rehab scheme.

I think most people don’t really mention their pets before exchange - I imagine what’s happened is now the date’s been set the seller is finally thinking of practicalities and realised oh shit, haven’t sorted the cat...

It’s still cheeky, and annoying, but not necessarily malicious in order to dump the cat, otherwise easier just to not mention it at all.

Who the hell does this! Absolutely say no

They are basically abandoning the cat. And hoping you will look after it.

You should not agree to anything. If it is a feral (sounds like) you can put food out for it if you wish, or call Cats Protection and ask them to come and catch/rehome it.

Couple of things to think about:

1. you might grow very attached to the cat and not want it to leave.
2. they might never come back for the cat and you're now a cat owner!

I love cats. I did a similar thing for my neighbour - I took his cat in 'for a few weeks' while he lived with relatives waiting for their new build to be completed. That was 20years ago and the cat came on 2 house moves with me and lived with me for about 10years before it died.

I would say "no" verbally and in writing. Then if they leave it I would keep it. If they then came round for it I would say the cat's gone.

Then I like most cats...

I've emailed our conveyancing solicitor for advice on what to do if the cat isn't gone. It's quite a rural area so I've no idea where we'd look for it or how we'd keep track of it. We have nothing against pets, we'd just like to acquire them at the right time and in the right way when we know we're able to look after them properly.

The seller has always maintained they're very friendly with their neighbour, to the extent of said neighbour walking the seller's dog when the seller is at work, so I'm surprised they haven't gone for that option, surely more reliable than near-strangers?

We adopted a feral kitten, just turned up from the farm one day. When we moved she came too. Three times she went back to the village a couple of miles away an old neighbour phoned us to say she had her. The third time I bought feliway and kept her doped up for a month.

I would suggest they catch the cat, put it in kennels then retrieve when they are settled.

The seller has always maintained they're very friendly with their neighbour, to the extent of said neighbour walking the seller's dog when the seller is at work, so I'm surprised they haven't gone for that option, surely more reliable than near-strangers?

They can’t give permission to the neighbour to come onto your property, though, not without your agreement. Imagine if you discovered them one day in the back garden feeding a feral cat - wouldn’t get neighbourly relations off on a good footing, would it?

The neighbour might be the solution, with your agreement, however.

Find out what the cat looks like (in case it turns up after they've gone - tell them you don't want to take in a cat only to discover that it belongs to a highly offended neighbour). Then make it clear that you will not be looking after it, and that if it does turn up you will be rehoming it.

I'd say yes, and then keep the cat

Can I say 'please do' - I left my much loved, elderly, ginger 'outside' (his choice not mine) cat with our lovely 'dog people' buyers when we moved into a rental property before buying. They so kindly gave him the continuity he needed before we collected him 9 months later - once in & settled in our new home. He lived another 3 years with us, and at 19 we said goodbye to him earlier this year. I'm so grateful to them for being so kind & making his last years far less stressful than they could have been.

8% of people are part of the "Kitty Stockholm Syndrome" rehab scheme.

Only 8%?

Surely the other 92% must be in denial

I would, but then I am a cat accumulator who has been restricted by her DH. I took a job once that came with accommodation, and three cats.

Oh no don't do it. I once spent £100s of vet fees on a feral cat and I'm not even a cat fan... If something happens to the cat the responsibility will fall to you to take it to the vet.

Only 8%?

Surely the other 92% must be in denial

Ye gads, it's shot up by another percent now... The catpocalpyse is nigh!

They sound like very uncaring pet owners.

I would never leave my evil little genius in the care of a stranger. Their cat, their responsibility.

Poor little cat.