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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
ChristmasCwtch · 28/08/2023 07:21

I’m stressed about the stinky crab sticks and cat shit and it’s not even my house 🙊

Hope the owner’s turn up on site today!!

Username1234321 · 28/08/2023 07:29

alittleadvicepls · 28/08/2023 07:08

@Username1234321 theres no way they’d give out clients personal information. Imagine the mountain of trouble they’d get in for doing that!

If police and RSPCA won’t help I’d say your next best bet is the locksmith. I’ve locked myself out of houses twice and they’ve never once asked for ID or proof that I live there. Gosh I’m stressed thinking about the mess the cat is making inside that house 🙈

No but they might be able to send them a message with OPs number asking them to get in contact asap

Greenpolkadot · 28/08/2023 07:30

How are things now OP?
Iv been racking my brain trying to think of ways to get water to him,
The ice cube idea is good. Does he like cat treats ? Could you rattle the box until he comes to the cat flap ?
I'm worried for him and you,,,but I couldn't help but smile at 'the bloody bugger '

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 28/08/2023 07:33

I would probably break in if I didn’t find a solution today.

I think I’d try to smash a window and tape it up after I got the cat out.
I don’t think I’m being extreme. But I absolutely adored our old cat, so who knows.🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

PollyThePixie · 28/08/2023 07:34

VeloVixen · 28/08/2023 07:08

I feel like I’m scream8ng “cancel the cheque” but I’ve said this twice now and seen no acknowledgment of the suggestion from the OP and someone else has mentioned it too.

just break the cat flap with the broom handle. If my cat can batter a cat flap flap out of the frame I’m sure a human can

The access has a bend in it and broom handles don’t go round corners.

But a rod like plumbers use to unblock drains would.

Miathecat · 28/08/2023 07:42

Just to reassure a little, my cat went missing turns out she was locked in someone’s garage, she was nine days without food or water and had no lasting damage ( she hasn’t strayed far from the garden for over a year after that incident) it must be horrible seeing him and not being able to help x

DarkPsy · 28/08/2023 07:45

Just had an idea regarding water, what about one of these lowered through the window? Assuming the gap is large enough?

To break into new neighbours house *serious question, NOT trolling*
DobbyTheHouseElk · 28/08/2023 07:45

If the cats not drinking, it’s not wee-ing. Just saying.

cats are desert animals they can easily go without a wee. He probably has 💩 somewhere.

DrSbaitso · 28/08/2023 07:45

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.

really can’t stand the attitude of “well, I can’t control my cat and where it goes”.

Take it up with your MP, then. It's the law.

ChristmasFluff · 28/08/2023 07:48

How long is this tunnel in the cat flap?? Cos arms can bend, so surely you can hold a stick/hammer/something and force the cat flap open?

Fecksakereallygodreally · 28/08/2023 07:49

Hope you managed to get some sleep op

Malificent1 · 28/08/2023 07:49

Ex police here.

The police absolutely can help, they just don’t like to as it’s griefy. Under law, cats are classified as property and the police have powers to help missing property get back to the rightful owner. You will have to become a nuisance for them to help you.

However, the easiest way to gain access, is to claim you can smell gas from a vacant property.

Piggywaspushed · 28/08/2023 07:55

Haven't read entire long thread. Hope the kitty gets out.

But just to say, contrary to what Google says to terrify owners, cats can go aaaaaaaaaaages without water. As a PP points out, cats get stuck in garages, sheds , other houses. Sometimes they get found weeks later . They are amazingly tough cookies.

Your cat will find a kitchen tap to lick, or a toilet to drink out of, even a window sill to lick.

I once had the police and the RSPCA be utterly useless about a stray lurcher that took up residence on my doorstep. They would not come and remove it unless it was endangering traffic, even though the dog had barricaded us in our own home.

Have you tried putting catfood outside the house by the catflap? Your cat probably can get back out and just hasn't felt the urge.

frazzledasarock · 28/08/2023 08:02

i wouldn’t drop anymore food or ice cubes into their house. You’ll land yourself with a massive cleaning bill on top of the repair bill for breaking things (if you do break a window).

can you take a ladder and a friend to help you and push open the top window and get in through it? Hopefully the back door has a key in it to get out once you got your cat.

catflap sounds back to front ours needs a chippped cat to get in, any cat can leave the house though.

Whattheduck · 28/08/2023 08:04

milkmilklemonaderoundthebackchocolatesmade · 28/08/2023 00:55

OP. We've considered all the obvious ways into the house. Has anyone suggested the chimney? Could a drone hovering over the chimney pot let a rope down that the cat could climb up? It's a bit Jack and the Beanstalk granted. But it's a thought.

Howling can just imagine a drone with a cat swinging from the end of the rope with a crab stick in his mouth appearing out the top of a chimney

Sorrynotsorry2 · 28/08/2023 08:07

Whattheduck · 28/08/2023 08:04

Howling can just imagine a drone with a cat swinging from the end of the rope with a crab stick in his mouth appearing out the top of a chimney

Show quote history

With an ice cube tucked under its paw .

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 28/08/2023 08:11

Piggywaspushed · 28/08/2023 07:55

Haven't read entire long thread. Hope the kitty gets out.

But just to say, contrary to what Google says to terrify owners, cats can go aaaaaaaaaaages without water. As a PP points out, cats get stuck in garages, sheds , other houses. Sometimes they get found weeks later . They are amazingly tough cookies.

Your cat will find a kitchen tap to lick, or a toilet to drink out of, even a window sill to lick.

I once had the police and the RSPCA be utterly useless about a stray lurcher that took up residence on my doorstep. They would not come and remove it unless it was endangering traffic, even though the dog had barricaded us in our own home.

Have you tried putting catfood outside the house by the catflap? Your cat probably can get back out and just hasn't felt the urge.

Yes, but that is - as you said - because there’s usually some water around.

nearly empty glass, water in a flower tray, dripping faucet etc.

but this house has been empty and renovated. Sure, there’s still the loo. But if the bathroom door is closed or cat can’t open the lid… not an option.

it also places a lot of stress on the internal organs. Especially bad if there were some pre-existing conditions (very possible that neither the vet or OP is currently aware of) or elderly cats.

RosesAndHellebores · 28/08/2023 08:12

If you can get your arm round the cat flap bend to push force it open, into the inside, a peg on each side will stòp it closing and the cat should come out.

BusterGonad · 28/08/2023 08:14

Againstmachine · 28/08/2023 06:53

Break the window and get the cat out, if it's sting double glazing a tap in corner with a screwdriver and hammer should break one pane then same again for inner pane.

I'd rather someone did this than comeback to what could be terrible.

A semi professional can pop out the whole window, instead of fucking up the thing and smashing it.

diddl · 28/08/2023 08:18

Is it possible that the cat got in when workmen were there & doesn't have access to the cat flap or it isn't a cat flap?

The new owners having cats doesn't necessarily mean that they have installed a cat flap does it?

howdoesatoastermaketoast · 28/08/2023 08:19

try to break the cat flap, it'll be the easiest and cheapest bit to replace and the most justifiable as it was clearly already malfunctioning.

You'll have to kick it like you mean it but should then be able to hold it open for your cat

anotheranotheranotheranother · 28/08/2023 08:20

diddl · 28/08/2023 08:18

Is it possible that the cat got in when workmen were there & doesn't have access to the cat flap or it isn't a cat flap?

The new owners having cats doesn't necessarily mean that they have installed a cat flap does it?

OP said she can see the catflap inside by peering through the front window.

MrsWombat · 28/08/2023 08:23

Have you tried the fire brigade? I've had to call them out twice when neighbours were locked in/out of various places and they did it happily. (Newborn baby in house on their own with the parents locked out, and family with young children locked in the local park with the council saying "someone is on their way" for two hours by which time it had turned dark and the weather had deteriorated.)

Bellyblueboy · 28/08/2023 08:24

diddl · 28/08/2023 08:18

Is it possible that the cat got in when workmen were there & doesn't have access to the cat flap or it isn't a cat flap?

The new owners having cats doesn't necessarily mean that they have installed a cat flap does it?

OP has posted a photo of the cat flap!

Do keep up

ŁadnaPogoda · 28/08/2023 08:25

Popping in for pussy progress.

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