To worry about cats and the milkman?

[ClawedButler]

We've got a milk delivery service and I am habitually awake late enough at night to hear him turning up at our house.

Ernie (for it must be he) comes tearing up the road (residential estate sort of thing), actually screeches to a halt outside our house, delivers the milk all fine (never had a cracked bottle or anything) then takes off as if the hounds of hell were after him.

It doesn't bother me too much in terms of noise and speed on a quiet road at a quiet time. But there are a lot of cats in the area, including mine, and I tense up the whole time I hear him driving, stopping and tearing off because he's so likely to kill one of them one night.

YABU: ffs have you got nothing else to worry about, he's probably on a tight schedule

YANBU: Running over a cat because you were going too fast is stupid and irresponsible

Hes probably terrified they are going to steal his milk, which was much more what i imagined this thread was about.
You need to worry less and relax.
But also not buy milk. (many reasons for this-the environment, health and of course being complicit in any cat hit and runs - why not just stop buying milk?)

Why don't you have a catio or fence your back garden so the cat doesn't wander the streets? Then it won't risk getting run over, won't be killing all the wildlife and won't be shitting in other peoples gardens.

Is he more likely to kill a cat than any other motorist?

Why is the milk float any more of a risk than any other road traffic vehicle?

Our milkman is the same 😂

I take comfort in the fact at that time of night, it's so quiet normally and cats hearing is so good they'll hear him coming a mile away and bodge out of the way!

It's Humphreys the milkman should watch out for.
Cats should be kept in at night.

I agree. Cats should be kept in at night.

And the milkman should be on his guard that the neighbourhood cats don't gang together and mug him for his wares.

If the milkman delivers at the same time every morning the cats will have it sussed out. My cat hates the bin lorry and on Tues mornings hides... they are smart animals... Unlike many humans....

My cat was hit by a car and died. So I feel the same way as you.

Why are you having milk delivered separately? That’s two lots of vans, including your supermarket delivery, or extra petrol if you drive to the supermarket.
Milk keeps for about ten days in the fridge. I get 8 pints a week with my Sainsbugs delivery, and top up if necessary from the village Spar.

Keep your cat in of a night.

If the cat was that unused to traffic to go near a van, then it isn't going to live long. I have cats and hate speeding cars of a night, but cats getting killed is part of life.

My three cats, would probably run in the road, and try and flag him down. to ask for some milk.They only have water now, as milk makes them ill, but they would still drink milk if they could. ( I like your mention about Benny Hills Ernie) !

Cats in the road are always at risk. A driver should do their best but people need to be realistic about how unpredictable and hard to see small animals can be. Owners need to take responsibility for their cats.

Keep the cats in. Job done.

Keep cats in at night

The people suggesting you (a) stop buying milk or (b) should feel guilty about having a delivery need to wind their necks in. The virtue signalling and policing of people's perfectly ordinary behaviour (and, you know, right to exercise their own choices and preferences) on here is out of fucking control.

Its the risk you take when you let cats out through the night (no judgement I have 2 cats who are allowed out through the night) but I'm aware it's a big risk I'm taking and the only person to blame if they are killed or injured is myself. Unless someone deliberately runs them over of course.

To all the people saying keep cats in at night.. have you ever owned a cat?? Some cats will literally scream the house down and probably destroy it if kept inside against their will.

Ernie (for it must be he)
It's Humphreys the milkman should watch out for.

Off-topic I realise, but I'm enjoying the nostalgia on this thread.

@MrsDoylesLastTeabag

The people suggesting you (a) stop buying milk or (b) should feel guilty about having a delivery need to wind their necks in. The virtue signalling and policing of people's perfectly ordinary behaviour (and, you know, right to exercise their own choices and preferences) on here is out of fucking control.

THIS

Why on earth are so many having a go at OP for getting milk delivered?

I have mine delivered twice per week along with eggs and fruit juice.
It means it's fresh and means it does not take up extra fridge space.
It also keeps money coming in for local people and businesses .

OP
I have a house cat and like PP I have got him use to wearing a harness .
It takes a while but if you let him wear it around the house without a lead to start with then a bit of string as a lead then a proper lead.
I use a light weight retractable dogs lead.

.

The “keep the cat in” brigade do make me laugh. I have two rescue feral cats that live outside. Cats have a right to roam.

I wouldn't worry OP, our lane is 60 speed limit and people really fly down, and I’ve not heard of any cats being run over.

Mrs Doyle, no offence was meant, just questioning the need for milk delivery when its clearly extremely distressing for OP, seems an easy option to step out of this milk buying for peace of mind even without climate change being brought in to it.

Why are your cats out late at night anyway? I would just keep them in after a certain time I do with mine. :)