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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbours vanished leaving 2 cats

68 replies

nicegem · 04/07/2020 17:29

Name changed this is incredibly outing.

Over a week ago one of my neighbours (they are a couple) was taken ill and an ambulance was called. We are friendly ish and I asked if they needed any help, they said that they were not going into hospital but to stay with a relative whilst the ill person recovered (Not coronavirus). I know they have two cats so I volunteered at the time to feed them but they said not to worry as they would be back each day to do it. They took other animals (puppies) with them.

It’s now well over a week later and I have seen no sign of the neighbour. I’ve been WFH with a desk at the window looking out onto the shared driveway and seen no car. I can also hear their front door (terraced house) and haven’t heard them. Unless they’re coming over in the dead of night then they haven’t been.

I guess it’s now more of a WWYD? I’ve half jokingly thought about posting some cat biscuits through the letterbox! They’re indoor cats with no access to outside (we have a cat which is why I know this, my cat often goes in their garden and I’ve made conversation to ask if theirs were allowed out). AIBU to feel the responsibility to do something?

OP posts:
CluelessBaker · 04/07/2020 17:31

Call the rspca. If they haven’t been back in a week the cats will be starving and thirsty. I agree you need to do something.

Yankathebear · 04/07/2020 17:33

Do you have a way to contact them? (Neighbour not cats)

Agree with RSPCA

VettiyaIruken · 04/07/2020 17:34

I agree, call the RSPCA.

AdaColeman · 04/07/2020 17:35

They may have decided to take the cats away with them after all.
Do you have a key for the house OP?

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/07/2020 17:35

I would chuck biscuit in the letter box and see if you can see them. Call the cats protection and ask for advice. They will be thirsty too. Poor cats.

nicegem · 04/07/2020 17:37

I don’t have a key for their house. My only reservation is that if I’m wrong and the cats aren’t there, they will know it was me that called the RSPCA as the other house in the row is empty. They’ve got horses as well as the cats and dogs and I don’t want this to have repercussions for them! Would it be nosy to look through the window to try and see the cats?

OP posts:
Oldestchild90s · 04/07/2020 17:37

Oh my, please act quickly and call someone.. the cats could be really poorly by now! ☹️

MissClarke86 · 04/07/2020 17:37

Oh poor things. Cats can get very sick very quickly without food, let alone water - please post the cat biscuits through and ring the RSPCA ASAP. As in tonight.

MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow · 04/07/2020 17:37

Are you sure the cats are there? Maybe they took them with them at the last minute or have come back for them when you weren't around?

Littlepoppet1 · 04/07/2020 17:39

Definitely go and have a look through the windows and see if you can see them.

Youngatheart00 · 04/07/2020 17:39

You are very right to be concerned! Could you try and look through the letter box, see if there is any obvious sign (or smell) of the cats? If so it’s an Rspca job, right away. A week, that is very very serious.

mnahmnah · 04/07/2020 17:39

Is there a chance they came back to collect them at some point when you didn’t notice? I would also go peep with biscuits to see if they are in there

Sparklfairy · 04/07/2020 17:40

You need to establish if the cats are definitely there first. Can you check windows, call through the letterbox? Then call RSPCA if they are there.

JustHereWithPopcorn · 04/07/2020 17:40

Definitely look through the window and see if they are there Sad

FilledSoda · 04/07/2020 17:43

Please look through the windows ASAP. I hope it isn't too late.

DaphneFanshaw · 04/07/2020 17:44

The chances are that if they are animal lovers and have dogs, cats and horses they will be looking after them in some way or form it’s just you don’t know about it.
Have a look through the window or letterbox if you’re really worried. I don’t think that’s being nosey.

nicegem · 04/07/2020 17:44

I will go and look later, my cat is often wandering around their front garden so if they unexpectedly turn up I can say I was looking for him. They seem like big animal lovers it doesn’t add up that they wouldn’t be thinking of the cats but I’ve not been out of the house since Tuesday and haven’t seen them.

OP posts:
lymphopenia · 04/07/2020 17:44

Please call! Or the cats protection league. Poor kitties :(

Cascade220 · 04/07/2020 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ListeningQuietly · 04/07/2020 17:56

Definitely go and tap on the window.
If the cats are in there and hungry, you'll know about it in seconds.

Cheerybigbottom · 04/07/2020 17:56

I think a cat can die without food on as few days as without water, they can't survive weeks like a dog or other animal might.

You do need to figure out if the cats are there. I suppose there might be an unpleasant smell if they haven't been able to use the toilet outside or no ones changing the litter tray. Could you smell through the letterbox and drop some cat treats down to see if they get eaten?

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 04/07/2020 17:57

@MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow

Are you sure the cats are there? Maybe they took them with them at the last minute or have come back for them when you weren't around?
This OP. I would ascertain whether they are there at all. After a week you would know if there were two locked in adult cats!
YoBigMomma · 04/07/2020 18:00

Please go and look through the windows ASAP!!

If they are in there they need help this minute. Please remember that they may be curled up somewhere - you need to ensure they are not in the house full stop - otherwise they will starve to death.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 04/07/2020 18:05

I agree - you need to go and look to see if they're there asap

ListeningQuietly · 04/07/2020 18:34

Cats are INCREDIBLY resilient.
They have been known to last for weeks without food.
BUT
If they are trapped in a house and somebody waves a tin of pilchards by a window or letter box
YOU'LL KNOW ABOUT IT Grin