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Original poster

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?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
7eleven · 27/08/2023 23:16

Some cat flaps can be on a timer. It’s possible that it might open for the cat in the morning 🤞

My cat snuck up the loft ladder once, without us noticing. Spent ages looking for her and couldn’t work out where the miaowing was coming from. Then the bloody sod wouldn’t come back down the ladder when we undid the hatch. Cue chasing her round the loft.

Just a thought, are you absolutely certain there’s no windows open and it didn’t use the cat flap anyway?

All the arses on this thread can go back to their miserable existences. I’m guessing you’d have to be pretty unhappy to be so fecking heartless about an animal.

PuckyMup · 27/08/2023 23:17

A catio in your garden will stop him doing this again but allow him outside space

Flossflower · 27/08/2023 23:17

Lulubo1 · 27/08/2023 22:46

I'm sorry to say this, but I'd be absolutely livid if someone broke in or called a locksmith to get into my house without my permission. I'd be hot footing it to the police the moment I found out. Be careful OP, you don't know how the owners of the house will react.

Me too.

chillidoritto · 27/08/2023 23:19

Sorry OP, I do realise what a worry this is for you. But this whole thread has had me in stitches!!!!

I will never look at crab sticks in the same light!

TheLadyofShalott1 · 27/08/2023 23:19

Apologies again @Catsos Of course I didn't start this thread at all - you did! My husband was wanting me to hurry up so that we could get back to the film we are watching (A Beautiful Mind - neither of us has seen it before), so I made numerous mistakes! Anyway, he just popped to the loo, so I am taking advantage of that. Hopefully I won't have to apologise for this post as well!
I really hope you do get some sleep tonight OP, your gorgeous cat will be fine, because you will make sure s/he is 🩷

ErwinSchrödinger · 27/08/2023 23:19

Good luck OP. I had this with one of mine. It can go either way.

Lilolilibet · 27/08/2023 23:21

I think all you can do is take a hammer to the window if you see your cat is dying. And hope they don't sue.

You've been indirectly plaguing your neighbours for years with this animal so I have scant sympathy for whatever repercussions you face now.

SoCentralRain · 27/08/2023 23:23

You've been indirectly plaguing your neighbours for years with this animal so I have scant sympathy for whatever repercussions you face now

Oh give over 🙄

Queeniewag · 27/08/2023 23:24

Feel for you OP. One of my cats once managed to get trapped under a new floor some neighbours had had laid!! I managed to hear him crying when I went out calling late at night through an air vent. Neighbours weren’t happy about pulling up part of their new floor to let him out but did in the end! My mums cat also got trapped in a neighbours loft for 4 days. She came out very hungry but overall ok. So they are good survivors!

Could you attach something heavy like a hammer to a broom handle at an angle and knock cat flap out that way?

Otherwise I think fire brigade could be best bet.

Keep us posted.

Hollywolly1 · 27/08/2023 23:26

Wishing you well & thinking of your beautiful cat as I am sure he is missing you to,hopefully you will have success tomorrow. Really the only people that understand are pet owner's

DigbyTheDigger · 27/08/2023 23:26

Is it definitely a cat flap through that hole, and not a vent for something? Wondering if the cat got into the house through other means.

IDriveMySupernova · 27/08/2023 23:26

Cats who don’t/can’t eat are susceptible to liver disease alarmingly quickly https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/hepatic-lipidosis-cats-fatty-liver-disease

It’s really disappointing the police and RSPCA won’t help. I wonder if they’d care more if it were a dog? I’d have to break the window and deal with the consequences. Windows can be replaced but your boy can’t.

Hepatic Lipidosis in Cats (Fatty Liver Disease) | PetMD

Dr. Jennifer Coates explains hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease in cats, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/hepatic-lipidosis-cats-fatty-liver-disease

truthhurts23 · 27/08/2023 23:28

i hope your cat didn't wee or poo in their new house
Why is he always scavenging for food, do you not feed him?
is he fixed?

7eleven · 27/08/2023 23:29

Flossflower · 27/08/2023 23:17

Me too.

Show quote history

Genuine question - would you rather the cat died? If it came to it, and the owner can’t be contacted, your preference would be that an animal suffered?

Wakintoblueskies · 27/08/2023 23:30

truthhurts23 · 27/08/2023 23:28

i hope your cat didn't wee or poo in their new house
Why is he always scavenging for food, do you not feed him?
is he fixed?

Do you think the OP sounds like someone who starves her cat?

Motorina · 27/08/2023 23:31

I had this design of cat flap. Had, because my cats killed it. You see the white caps on the frame? Pop those off. There's screws under them. Undo those and you should be able to pull the frame off and push the inside bit of the frame into the house. One free cat.

7eleven · 27/08/2023 23:31

Hollywolly1 · 27/08/2023 23:26

Wishing you well & thinking of your beautiful cat as I am sure he is missing you to,hopefully you will have success tomorrow. Really the only people that understand are pet owner's

Don’t think you need to be a pet owner, just a decent, kind human being will do.

SoCentralRain · 27/08/2023 23:31

truthhurts23 · 27/08/2023 23:28

i hope your cat didn't wee or poo in their new house
Why is he always scavenging for food, do you not feed him?
is he fixed?

Helpful.

Mumsanetta · 27/08/2023 23:31

“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….”

I feel for you OP but really can’t stand the attitude of “well, I can’t control my cat and where it goes”. Imagine renovating your new house and then coming back to find a cat trapped in it that’s pissed everywhere, scratched everything and the stench of fishy crab sticks in the air, all because your neighbour is putting the comfort and desires of their cat above all of their neighbours! Do you know how hard it is to get the stench of cat piss and fish out of your house?? And the poor cat that lives there will have to contend with the smell of another cat’s piss too after the trauma of moving house. Build the bloody animal a cattery and save everyone else on your street from your menace of a cat next time. This is just irresponsible pet ownership.

AliceOlive · 27/08/2023 23:32

Motorina · 27/08/2023 23:31

I had this design of cat flap. Had, because my cats killed it. You see the white caps on the frame? Pop those off. There's screws under them. Undo those and you should be able to pull the frame off and push the inside bit of the frame into the house. One free cat.

This sounds like it would work!!!

Ihateslugs · 27/08/2023 23:33

I have not read all the posts, over 30 pages, wow! But I’ve been thinking of what you could use to get through the cat flap, something strong but
bendy? A wire coat hanger, possibly joining two together using tape or zip ties! Possibly plumbing pipes if they are designed to fit around U bends? An attachment of a hoover? Maybe have a trip to a DIY store on Monday.

7eleven · 27/08/2023 23:33

Mumsanetta · 27/08/2023 23:31

“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….”

I feel for you OP but really can’t stand the attitude of “well, I can’t control my cat and where it goes”. Imagine renovating your new house and then coming back to find a cat trapped in it that’s pissed everywhere, scratched everything and the stench of fishy crab sticks in the air, all because your neighbour is putting the comfort and desires of their cat above all of their neighbours! Do you know how hard it is to get the stench of cat piss and fish out of your house?? And the poor cat that lives there will have to contend with the smell of another cat’s piss too after the trauma of moving house. Build the bloody animal a cattery and save everyone else on your street from your menace of a cat next time. This is just irresponsible pet ownership.

I think you’ve got a point, but it doesn’t help the cat right now.

orangegato · 27/08/2023 23:33

Download their title deeds for £3 to find out who owns it?

DorisStokes · 27/08/2023 23:33

Could a small child get through? It's a thought what with the waterbabies and wotnot. Mind you that was a long time ago.

momonpurpose · 27/08/2023 23:34

Honestly if I was the home owner I'd be livid. I really pray your kitty is ok but once he's out he needs to be an indoors only cat. You say he has a reputation in the neighborhood. So did our boy until someone clearly fed up with him poisoned him. He may not like being an indoor cat but it's better then dead

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