To break into new neighbours house *serious question, NOT trolling*

[Catsos]

Name change as I don’t want neighbours to recognise me😭

I have a cat who has a bit of a reputation on our street for forcing his way into neighbours homes by breaking open their cat-flaps to steal their pets food. He’s been doing it for years, not much I can do about it besides keeping him in which he would hate. Anyway….

Here is the problem..

This afternoon I realised I hadn’t seen him for nearly 24 hours (very unusual for him). I went out into the street to look for him when I spotted the bloody buggar in the window of the house two doors down!!!
This house was recently bought by a couple who are living elsewhere while they are renovating it. I have briefly spoken to this couple once, and they mentioned they have cats, so I assumed they have already had a cat-flap installed which he has broken into.

I was really confused why he hadn’t come back out, so I peered through their front window and spotted the catflap which he must have entered through. It’s one of those “smart” catflap brands which only opens if the cat has the right microchip. So he’s managed to get in, but now he can’t get out as his microchip isn’t unlocking it. I can see his muddy scratch marks on their newly painted wall besides the catflap, so he’s obviously been trying to get back out 😩😩

So here’s the even bigger problem…

As i’ve said, the couple who own the house are living elsewhere while renovating it. So there is nobody here to let him back out. I usually see them visit the house every week or so but I don’t know when they will be here next and he has already been inside for around 24 hours.

I’ve already spoken to all of the neighbours and nobody has contact details for them. I did think I could contact the estate agents who their house was on the market with to try and get their contact details but as it is the bank holiday they won’t be open until Tuesday - which means he will have been trapped for 72 hours inside their house.

What should I do?! Do I try and break in, get my cat and then secure the property as best I can and explain what happened when they are next here? That sounds like a really bad start to a relationship with them but then my cats trapped inside, presumably without water?!

Why is there a need to say that honestly......

OP couldn't find anything smellier !!

Op I would also be fairly confident that the new owners have accidentally locked him in if the cat flap doesn't appear to be working. Might illicit a bit less anger on their part too.
Good luck. If all else fails I would definitely smash the smallest window pane you can find. I had the glass in my huge bathroom window replaced recently for £120.

I know, I panicked 😭 that’s the only thing I had to fit through the window gap.
The stupid thing is, if I get my cat out now, there’s going to be random crabsticks in their house when they turn up. Ffs 😩 genuinely want to move house after this.

Can any cat with the collar of that cat flap get in, could you purchase the collar for that cat flap and open it from the outside with the collar?

Why the fuck would the neighbours need to prosecute for damages?! Like the OP would just break in, in front of other neighbours, and then refuse to pay?! 😂

It may be that he didn't get in through the cat flap but through an open door when they were there.

One of our cats survived a long weekend in our loft. He liked to sit on the itchy stuff. He climbed up the ladder, without telling us. We shut the trap door and went away.

We heard faint mewing on our return. Nothing a bowl of cat food couldn't cure.

I expect your poor neighbours will want you to as well.

Can not believe you posted crabsticks and ice cubes through their window ffs

I’m giving dp updates, he really likes this cat!

Christ OP you're going to have some grovelling to do, the poor new owners.

You need to get the crabsticks out as well as the cat, obviously. Really hope you haven't just chucked ice cubes on a new wooden floor.

Omg 😲

Fire brigade? They might have tools to open the cat flap.

Can't you use something flexible like a drain unblocking flexible rod to push the cat flap door open from the outside?

The only way the inside bit of the cat flap would be locked would be if it had been set to fully locked both sides (in which case your cat had managed to break it) or if it was set to entry only (which would be incredibly stupid of the home owner). If it is the latter you can push it open and prop it up so your cat can get out. If it's the former your cat has already broken it so you should be able to force it. I can't believe you haven't tried this but thought it was a good idea to put crab sticks of all things through the window. Did you not think dry cat food might be less smelly/messy?

You're kidding righh, can you imagine the AIBU?

My crazy neighbour has got a locksmith to change the locks on my new home because her cat can only do a cat flap one way AIBU to be a tad miffed?

I'm praying that the new neighbours are MN users because I really want a "AIBU to be pissed off my neighbours posted crab sticks through my window??" post.

Just lolling at the thought of those random crab sticks just waiting for them on their return 😂

Have you tried posting on local Facebook groups? They might be on them or have friends/family who do. Something like.. are the couple who own/renovating xx road name in this group.

I hope the cat is grounded after this!

This could be the start of a lovely friendship with your new neighbours! (Maybe)!

I wonder if the new neighbours might be mumsnetters who are sat laughing at your cat and then suddenly realise it’s their new home

Yes, of all the things - not ordinary cat biscuits or Dreamies but crabsticks. Not the first thing I'd reach for in this situation.

Omg op. Crab sticks?! Actually guffawing although I can feel your desperation . I’d be calling the fire brigade, too.

Shower hoses are pretty flexible, the metal "slinky" kind, could work?

Or an unwound wire coat hanger, but is the sharp end a risk?