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?!

I would find a tree with branches that are a bit curved and the branch stays strong when it’s bended and give that a go.

Agreed. If the cat was able to get in just by pushing the cat flap then it has to be the most obvious solution to find something which will fit to just push it open again.

I'm really surprised the estate agent is closed, I've just checked and all of them are open round here from 8.30, one lazier one at 9. Did you send them a message and call up?

Weirdly the cat tunnel is curved so a broom won't do the job. Chimney brush or plumbing unblocker pipes might work because they're flexible. Poor cat

In England? It's a Bank Holiday. Google may not show BH openings.

Echoing sensible suggestion from a PP- you can smell gas coming from their house!

The photo you showed is of a tunnel extender - maybe if you can work out what extender there is a chance the cat flap itself is the same brand so at least you can then read up on the mechanism so you know what you are dealing with trying to open it with something bendy?

If this was me, I’d break a window without hesitation. Break your cat out, OP, you can pay them for the damages.

Never seen a lockable tunnel cat flap with a bend in it through solid wall

We have a similar cat flap only difference is we have a flap at each end, get your broom handle and smash as much of it as possible and hopefully the rest will fall away.
I would be out of my mind with worry as well.

As long as there is a gas supply in the street.

I’d be really stressed too op if this was me and one of my cats. Keeping everything crossed you get him out soon

call 999
fire and rescue

It's hardly a bloody emergency!

Unscrew the opening. The picture clearly shows that there are four screws. Then try to pull it out.

@Catsos can you not try to find the owner or anyone who works at the estate agents on Facebook? Or see if they have an out of hours phone number?

Do gas engineers have a magic way of getting into houses that the OP doesn't? And what a waste of bloody resources if you called one out. Please don't do this.

The picture clearly shows screws. Prise the covers off and unscrew. Then see if it comes out.

Yes, try searching! I've checked London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester - all open.

Hope Catsos is up bright and early doing a bit of breaking and entering.

Despite laughing/joking on this thread last night there's no way I'd be leaving my cat in there to die. I'd be breaking the bloody door down before that happened.

I hope you got your cat back by hook or by crab stick

The cat will be fine

fishing rod? is that bendy enough

Hi @Catsos I’d be panicking too - I love my cats so much.
Can someone (maybe a neighbour) help you break in? If it’s your only option then you must do it.

Or can you get a hammer into the cat tunnel to bash the cat flap open?

How about the fire brigade?? Don’t know if this has been considered but they help cats stuck up trees etc!
Or a Facebook post asking if anyone local can help you break into the cat flap (without giving away the address)
Really hope your cat is ok x