Neighbour weird about my cat

[BeingGemma1979]

So a neighbour (from the next street over, houses back and across one) came to introduce herself, husband and daughter one Saturday afternoon to explain that our cat. (I live with husband and 3 kids under 10 + cat) Sometimes visited their house, and was often there during the day when we are all out. They stayed on the doorstep way too long for people randomly introducing themselves and asked so many questions about our cat and lives (her breed, whether she has a cat flap) but thought that they were maybe looking for friends for their daughter. When they left I thought it a bit odd but I was genuinely planning to invite them over/thinking of playdates. I did feel a bit weird about the cat being there but what was the harm, she works from home, we're out? Then we started to see less and less and less of our cat, she started going missing for days at a time and my daughters are getting more and more upset everyday.

I had this same issue and I ended up phoning police after advice. They took a scanner and went to the house. Brought my cat home and told the other people that it was an offence. I said I didn’t want to press any charges etc just wanted it to stop.

since that day she’s never gone missing again or into their home and my child has his cat with him nearly 24/7.

If you want the cat to be happy then let her go where she wants. I don't think you can blame the neighbour if the cat keeps going over there. It doesn't sound like the neighbour is keeping her locked in her house.

Sorry!
I shall ask Bagpuss to have a word about constant.

On the window topic. When my MIL had seen my cat taken in to their house in the rain, the one day I went to ask for my cat back they they opened a wide 3rd floor window (in a heavy rain shower) and the cat appeared on their roof and had to make her way down and was visibly shaken when she got home. Over the next couple of weeks during heavy the realised we were home they would open their 3rd floor window and deposit my cat that high up. This happened at least 4 times.

I'm afraid that she definitely was. My MIL saw her do it. Then they opened v high window to keep their story of the cat let's herself in and out.

Keep your cat in then 🤷‍♀️

How good are your tennis skills? Reckon you could use a racket to fling a cat turd through their 3rd floor window? Or their bifolds?

Can I ask when this happened? I have spoken to police but only because she called them (police closed case immediately and basically apologised for having to call me). They suggested, gps collar and a civil case which would be expensive or citizens advice. The problem is it is not theft until the cat is proven to be in their house for 2 weeks solidly.

I think you have three options

1. keep the cat indoors
2. let this weirdo neighbour steal your cat
3. the thing with the frozen mice and the tennis racket

FFS keep your cat indoors then stop hand wringing about it. Just keep your pet indoors. Make or get an enclosure or put a harness on it. Or give it away. Talk about mountain out of a mole hill

Absolutely agree with this. I don’t understand why OP is being so ridiculous.

It’s ludicrous and rude to allow your cat to free range all over the neighbourhood anyway.

I’d be annoyed if a neighbours cat was constantly in my yard.

Just keep your cat indoors and this whole issue would be solved.

So. I see your points about the cat's happiness, I do care but she was perfectly happy before - and
I'm afraid my kid's happiness is more important. This woman has been extraordinarily selfish - knowing she was taking in the pet of three small children amnd continuing to do this. She could of course get her own cat. Did she not feed my cat at all the three days she was 'sheltering from the rain' and my husband thought she was dead? And why did my cat bring home a random cat toy? And why has my cat been home less and less since she made her friendly gesture of telling me my cat prefers her house?

Agree with keeping cat indoors for a while. My cats have always been outdoor cats, but we've moved house and we've kept them indoors for for a few weeks and they've adapted just fine.

Give them a chance to become reacquainted with their home and family.

In answer to your question(s): mind control and/or Dreamies.

I bet they'll consider it 100% your cat when there are vet bills.

You're going to have to cat proof your garden or make it an indoor cat. Cats wander, they choose where they want to be. It's just their nature. I woke up from a nap one day to find a young kitten curled up against me. It decided I was his mother from that day, it seemed. Nothing I could to do dissuade it either.

Enjoying the responses - I need this - it's been driving me up the wall. So thank you all. Three little kids sad about their missing cat after teaching all day is hard. I need to see the humour. Love giant owl/mouse/costume ideas, dadly not an option, my kiddos have had to be talked down from similar.

Treat your family to a new cat 🐈 ❤

Another day another cat thief.

The next time the cat come back rehome it. Then get yourself a kitten.

Not pet people? The cat is a member of the family. A beloved family pet. When my five year old draws a picture of our family the cat is always in it, she was three when we got her as a kitten. Sometimes the cat has more than 4 legs but she is always the right colour. Re read the message the neighbour sent me and remember my husband and I thought the cat must have died and we had to explain to the kids at this point - imagine someone sent it to you about a member of your family.

They aren't interchangeable! If someone tried to steal Dcat I'd probably hospitalise them, he's the love of my life.

They're not interchangeable, but a new cat can help heal the sense of loss, particularly for children. If her cat's gone, it's gone.

... anyway, Vito, no way I'd steal your cat, not with your Mafia connections.

... anyway, Vito, no way I'd steal your cat, not with your Mafia connections.

Keep your cat in from now on. If you have garden space, build a "catio" enclosed outdoor area. Otherwise you are going to lose your cat.