Stroking Cats and Getting Yelled At 😨😨!

[Heathercob]

Got two cats, and a dog (who is cat friendly) at home. I was taking our dog for a walk this morning and a little grey cat was sitting on the wall, so I started stroking her. This woman came out and started screaming at me to get away from her cat with my dog. It wasn't as if I was either going to steal her cat, or get the dog to attack her. AIBU to stroke cats when on a walk?

Probably best not to stroke anyone’s pet at this time. I’m not happy about anyone stroking my dog. It’s probably silly but now is not the time.

She’s probably thinking that cv could be left on cat’s fur. Probably not unreasonably.

She acted on what she saw. She has no idea your dog is cat friendly. Perhaps her cat has been attacked in the past.

Sorry OP but not the wisest decision to be stroking someone's cat at a time like now. Consider it a lesson learnt

So she let's her cat out because she doesn't want to restrict the cats independence but does she take the same being screamed at if the cat shits in someone else's garden?
I think I might know the answer.

You should not be stroking animals that don’t belong to you in the current climate - you are potentially spreading Coronavirus and putting yourself and others in danger.

It's bit of a shame to be screamed at for stroking the cat, but who knows what was going through her mind. However, when friendly cats are outside, they're gonna get stroked. I wouldn't stroke anyone's pet at the moment though, just in case it upsets them.

What bred of dog do you have? Some people acted differently to different breeds.

Though to be fair I've seen more cats terrorise dogs being taken for a walk than the other way round in my area.

If she's so concerned about the cat somehow giving her the lurgy, wouldn't you just isolate it? She doesn't know where the cat goes and who's bed it's sleeping in.

Oh never mind.

Maybe she has Coronavirus so shouldn't have been letting her cat out and was actually angry with herself.

It is very possible that animals including dogs can contract the illness from their owners or others. Don't go around endangering other people's pets

nypost.com/2020/03/19/second-dog-in-hong-kong-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/

If it's one of those stunningly pretty silver tabbies, theft would be the most likely thing on my mind.

She was being hystercal, try not to worry about it!

Yabvu !!!

I thought cats are fair game for a stroke because they're roaming creatures?

Forget her, OP.

@Heathercob YABU sorry. I know you meant no harm, but some people do get a bit sniffy if you touch their pets. Especially in the current climate.

In our street we have a very sweet and well-meaning lady (so it's hard to say anything negative to her,) but she walks down the road and gives the neighbourhood cats treats! A whole bloody handful to my already fucking chubby 13 y.o. cat. We are trying to keep tabs on her eating, and this woman keeps shoving dreamies in her face.

We are in the process of making a sign, which we are going to laminate, that says 'PLEASE DO NOT FEED OUR CATS! THANK YOU. '

Generally speaking YANBU but at this current time with people fretting about coronavirus contamination its probably not the best time to be stroking strange animals.

@Leaannb, I had absolutely no idea about this, but if it's true then we are all doomed.
We are having a hell of a time controlling idiots from taking unnecessary trips out, holding barbecues, but we have even less control over free roaming animals - people feeding strangers cats etc.
Off to order a vat of kool aid from amazon.

The owner wasn't unreasonable.

I keep hoping none of our neighbours have stroked our cats as I always have my face buried in them.

And same when we're out for our walks I have to fight all my natural urges not to stroke any dogs who come up to say hi.

Just common sense at the moment.

@doingtheboxerbeat. The only reason why I knew about this is because all of our working dogs have been furloughed and hanging out with their handler's families

YAB completely U! We are being told not to touch anything or anyone and you take it upon yourself to do that. I know cats specifically were not mentioned but come on, use some common sense!

FFS I despair with people sometimes. How can people not just follow the rules and then we can all get on with our lives.

Don't touch anything that belongs to someone else. You could transmit or catch coronavirus.

I have the cutest dog living next door, loves me and comes for cuddles. I refuse to touch her atm as we are all needing to take precautions, poor pup doesn't understand why I am only talking to her and not giving her cuddles. Sorry but right now> No touching other people's pets.

Wouldn’t want anyone stroking my dog at the moment

There is some dispute about whether the dog that died had the virus:

fullfact.org/online/pets-coronavirus-facebook/?utm_source=content_page&utm_medium=related_content