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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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?

193 replies

ExchangedCat · 17/10/2019 20:04

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

OP posts:
DogAndCatPerson · 18/10/2019 08:05

I love cats and agree YANBU

Autumnfresh · 18/10/2019 08:06

No and get your solicitor to write that to them

Yummymummy2020 · 18/10/2019 08:54

They are planning to ditch the cat for sure!!! I wouldn’t agree, I can forsee a lot of vets bills coming your way!!! I have never heard of leaving pets behind for a few weeks, most people want to settle them in straight away unless they haven’t been able to move into their new place so this is a red flag to me!!!

Pardonwhat · 18/10/2019 09:00

I would.
He’s obviously unwanted and I’d feel sorry for him.

You’re obviously under no obligation and free to tell them no though.

WhatAGreatDay · 18/10/2019 09:00

My neighbours "inherited" a cat from the previous owner. They moved in about 13 years ago and the grumpy cat they don't even like is still there.

violetbunny · 18/10/2019 09:05

I can't ever imagine leaving one of my cats behind for even a day after I'd moved, let alone a few weeks Shock They're part of the family. It would be like moving and leaving DP behind in the garden! ConfusedGrin

StrangeLookingParasite · 18/10/2019 09:15

If needed you can borrow my German Sheperds.

What an utterly vicious thing to say. Do you train your dogs to attack cats?

jay55 · 18/10/2019 09:25

Vacant possession means vacant, not home to a cat or lodger or other random living creature. They are crazy and irresponsible.

MelonSlice · 18/10/2019 09:30

The cat will be left regardless. The seller is just trying to ease their conscience by putting the responsibility on to you.

notso · 18/10/2019 09:33

No fucking way.

The owners of the house we live in now couldn't catch their cat when they moved out and asked permission to leave food in a trap in the garden and if I wouldn't mind checking it which I was fine with.

Jellybeansincognito · 18/10/2019 09:42

I would call the RSPCA for advice to be honest.

norfolkskies · 18/10/2019 09:48

call animal charity and tell the sellers to take the cat/ put it in a cattery, its their responsibility! tell the sellers you`re on the case in regards to rspca etc (in case they are going to forget about it!) in regards to neglect.

i have cats, moved house last week. they came with me. call estate agents as well as to their shennagigans, maybe solicitors as well. remind them you can pull out anytime up to exchange of contract......

Cos1ma · 18/10/2019 10:02

So is is a feral cat that they leave food out for?

If they are temporarily staying with someone else for two weeks they can’t really take a feral cat with them. You can’t tealky keep them in and if they let it out it would probably get lost. Maybe it’s on a busy road or in a flat?

They are probably waiting to move into their new home. Then they will take the cat some counties away and hopefully it will settle.

I do think this is an odd request and yes, I’m wondering why they didn’t ask the neighbours.,

Please don’t let the cat be neglected - whatever happens.

Ask the sellers to be more clear about why they can’t take the cat. Get a date for exactly when they mean to collect it and their new address.

It’s very odd but you have to put the cat first and sort this out.

notthemum · 18/10/2019 10:03

No. Just No.
Flipping cheek

SchadenfreudePersonified · 18/10/2019 10:05

They’re covered in fur.

If they get wet, and can't get dry, they can easily freeze to death.

Also - you (I presume) are covered in clothes. Would you like to live outside in all weathers with no food?

I don't think OP is BU - but personally I couldn't see an animal suffer, and I would feed it. It's much harder, though, for OP because she hasn't moved into the property. I'm surprised that the vendor didn't leave food and ask a neighbour to feed the cat.

Original poster
ExchangedCat · 18/10/2019 12:03

Our solicitor has responded to say this is a new one for her, but we are to be clear that we can't do it and so a cattery is the best option.

Please don’t let the cat be neglected - whatever happens
If the cat is still around after completion we will contact the local Cat's Protection League for it to be taken into their care. We can't look after it but we also don't want it to be abandoned.

remind them you can pull out anytime up to exchange of contract......
Unfortunately they are all too aware of that, which I suspect is why they didn't get in touch until 3 hours after exchange Sad

OP posts:
User478 · 18/10/2019 12:09

"Yes we will provide cat sitting for up to 3 months at £30/day. Please provide details of their insurance and vet records and we will take the £3,000 from our payment (£2,700 plus £300 to cover solicitors time to arrange this). If you don't collect your pet after 3 months we will arrange for it to be collected by Cats protection."

Or

"No"

Sockypuppet · 18/10/2019 12:22

The solicitors must have been in stitches.

And your username is making me laugh!

I'm sorry to laugh but it just cracks me up so much. At least they're not leaving behind granny, or one of the kids. Grin

But seriously, tell your solicitor either no way, or that you'll pet sit for £200 per day.

Jellybeansincognito · 18/10/2019 12:46

Op it can take weeks for cat protection to pick up the cat, we looked after a cat who was dumped locally for 7 weeks before they were able to collect him.

I was pregnant with HG and noticed it sleeping in my garden every day and not really leaving, looking more and more frail. So I started to feed the poor thing.
We found its owner on Facebook and they came and got him, only for the cat to turn up in our garden days later, and then refusing to co-operate with us. Poor thing was literally dumped with us.

Please call the rspca for advice, it’s likely they’ll talk to the owners and sanction them if they go ahead and dump the animal.

Original poster
ExchangedCat · 18/10/2019 12:47

At least they're not leaving behind granny, or one of the kids
I'm awaiting the next message with trepidation...

OP posts:
Original poster
ExchangedCat · 18/10/2019 12:49

@Jellybeansincognito thanks for the head up - we've never needed to contact Cat'sProtection before. I'll try the RSPCA first if it comes to it (hopefully it won't)

OP posts:
NewNameGuy · 18/10/2019 12:53

Say yes but don't do it

Aridane · 18/10/2019 12:56
Hmm
WomensRightsAreContraversial · 18/10/2019 13:04

My money is on it being a feral cat that nobody can get near, who has been used to food in the garden so made it their home. It would be awful to put a feral cat in a cattery, I wouldn't be surprised if it would pass away within a couple of days due to stress.

I also think they aren't coming back for it, and that it's not your responsibility. See also I'd end up feeding the cat.

I think they should ask the neighbours to feed it.

My friend moved into a house which had a really old kennel in the garden with manky bedding inside. She was told that the neighbours had taken responsibility for the 2 feral cats. She mentioned to the neighbours that she was g oil ng to knock down the kennel and neighbour did sad face and long story short she now has two feral cats (and a new kennel)

Vilanelle · 18/10/2019 13:20

are they going to pay for its food?