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AIBU?

To break into new neighbours house serious question, NOT trolling

1000 replies

Catsos · 27/08/2023 18:19

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?!

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AIBU

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DobbyTheHouseElk · 27/08/2023 18:21

If it were my cat I’d break in. No idea how….

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Wakeywake · 27/08/2023 18:22

Can you access the cat flap and push it open from the outside for your cat to get out?

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RedLem0nade · 27/08/2023 18:22

I think I’d try to break in. Nothing like cat piss on the carpet to set you up for a fail with the neighbourly friendship.

If it was my house I’d prefer an apologetic note and offer to pay to fix the lock or whatever!

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CaroleSinger · 27/08/2023 18:23

Contact the police. They may be able to trace the owners.

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PinkFootstool · 27/08/2023 18:23

If you do, just break the cat flap. Cheaper for you than replacing glass in a door or window.

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Seeline · 27/08/2023 18:23

I'd try to get access to the back of the house (over NDNs fence or something) and break the cat flap.
That would be easier to secure.
Put a letter through the front door apologising and explaining and assuring them that you will cover the cost of a new one.

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WiddlinDiddlin · 27/08/2023 18:24

Yeah, I'd break the cat flap (at which point your cat will of course decide he lives there now, loves it, doesn't need food, never wants to come out....)...

I'd prefer to repair a catflap or find a note and a promise to repair a catflap... than cat related damage and cat piss and shit everywhere.

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Gazelda · 27/08/2023 18:24

I don't suppose they've got a ring doorbell?

Or that the smart car flap would set off an app alarm?

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YourNameGoesHere · 27/08/2023 18:25

Well I was all set to say of course that's unreasonable but you'd actually be doing them much more of a favour by breaking the cat flat and letting him out rather than waiting days whilst he freely pissed and crapped in their new house! As the neighbours I'd be very grateful all I had was a broken cat flap which you can easily replace for them.

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PinkFootstool · 27/08/2023 18:26

CaroleSinger · 27/08/2023 18:23

Contact the police. They may be able to trace the owners.

If it's just been bought, then no chance. Police don't have a database of who owns what house, and they can't access the deeds / purchase records unless it's a criminal investigation, and only then would it be done slow time through via the Land Registry or the conveyancer. It would not be done for this.

The Estate Agent would be the best bet, but I guess they'll be shut tomorrow (if in England or Wales) for the BH.

Personally, I'd break the cat flap and leave it taped closed with a note on the flap and a note through the front door.

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Mumof2teens79 · 27/08/2023 18:27

Call the estate agent. If the y also let they may have an emergency number, but I think some will be open Monday as that's when people have time to browse.

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Minfilia · 27/08/2023 18:27

He needs food and water. I’d break the cat flap too and cover the cost of a replacement.

No idea how I’d try and contact them first though. Where we live someone would have their contact details. Have you tried finding them on FB? Even by friends of friends if you don’t have their full names? You could message them then?

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foolishone · 27/08/2023 18:27

Is the estate agent also a letting agent? If so contact their out of hours number (it'll be on their website). They should be able to help.

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DobbyTheHouseElk · 27/08/2023 18:28

Can you open the cat flap? Or will you have to smash it?

You didn’t need to go inside, just your cat needs to come out. If it was my DCat he’d refuse to exit and bloody stay there being painful.

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DobbyTheHouseElk · 27/08/2023 18:29

I suppose technically your DCat has already broken in.

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VisionsOfSplendour · 27/08/2023 18:29

If your cat hot in through the catrlap it mustnt be working from the outside so can you get to that door and open it. Have they fitted it the wrong way round, are they supposed to stop cats getting out, I thought they were to stop random cats getting in

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ReviewingTheSituation · 27/08/2023 18:30

If your cat could get through the cat flap without breaking it, then you could also be able to open it without breaking it. That should definitely be your first option.

Did no-one on the street have contact details for the previous owners? They may have had the mobile no of the purchasers. I know it doesn't often happen, but it sometimes does. We had contact details of both vendor and purchaser in our chain last time we moved.

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3dogsandarabbit · 27/08/2023 18:30

He must have got in another way as microchips have to be pre programmed on those types of cat flaps. Are you sure they haven't left a small window open?

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Catsos · 27/08/2023 18:30

Minfilia · 27/08/2023 18:27

He needs food and water. I’d break the cat flap too and cover the cost of a replacement.

No idea how I’d try and contact them first though. Where we live someone would have their contact details. Have you tried finding them on FB? Even by friends of friends if you don’t have their full names? You could message them then?

Thank you for the replies everyone 🙏 Unfortunately nobody has their contact details I believe they live a couple of hours away currently, nobody knows much about them. I’m going to try and see if I can get round the back and force the cat flap open

OP posts:

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PickledPurplePickle · 27/08/2023 18:32

See if you can break the catflap open and then offer to replace it

I would also take photos to show them of him stuck inside

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RedLem0nade · 27/08/2023 18:32

If you’re an actual burglar OP then well done on investing the time in crafting an elaborate alibi.

”Just looking for my cat! Mumsnet will vouch for me!”

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OhYetAnotherBrickInTheWall · 27/08/2023 18:32

I would also bet the EA has a letting division - if so, an emergency number will be on their website (look under ‘Renters’ on their menu). I’d definitely try that first.

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JanieEyre · 27/08/2023 18:33

I think I'd try phoning the police or RSPCA to ask for advice. I'm wondering whether they are allowed to break in to save an animal from suffering.

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HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 27/08/2023 18:33

I would take photos as evidence and maybe also contact the police to let them know your intentions.

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DobbyTheHouseElk · 27/08/2023 18:35

RSPCA or Police won’t be interested.

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