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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
mydogisthebest · 28/08/2023 09:19

WisherWood · 28/08/2023 09:16

Please tell us how you stop a cat going into another house. Such an idiotic thing to say.

You don't let them leave your own house. I would have thought that was obvious, but apparently not. It's not an answer I approve of, but it does work.

The poster who said such a stupid thing made it sound as though you just talk to them and they obey. Maybe she is a cat whisperer!

It's cruel to suddenly keep a cat that is allowed outside in. Some cats are happy to be indoor cats (we had a cat who chose to never go outside) but most are not.

CaroleSinger · 28/08/2023 09:19

Were all assuming the cat got in through the flap but how do we know someone wasn't there on Friday and accidentally shut the cat in without realising? They might have left the door open and not seen it sneak in. What if the cat flap isn't relevant?

ICanBuyMyOwnBooks · 28/08/2023 09:25

The cat flap is only relevant as a way to get the cat out. It doesn't really matter how the cat got in.

newusern1 · 28/08/2023 09:26

Catsos · 27/08/2023 22:31

Perhaps. The problem is the bank holiday really putting a spanner in the works. Google says cats only can survive 3-4 days without water. Tomorrow will be Day 2.

It’s too dark now to do more but tomorrow I will try the locksmiths suggestion and see if I can poke something round the bend of the catflap tunnel.

I won’t sleep tonight with worry 😪 I’m glad it’s entertaining to some of you - for example the poster who suggested I drop boiled eggs down the chimney. I know you are mocking me but in my desperation the crabsticks did seem like a good idea as I thought the strong smell would attract the cat into the room.

But message received, I won’t try and push thinly sliced ham through the bathroom window air vent. I am just feeling desperate and am not thinking straight. My neighbours are basically all elderly and I don’t have anyone here to help. It’s extremely stressful :(

Thank you for all of the suggestions, I’ll make a list of them to try tomorrow incase the locksmith won’t come out.

Show quote history

Tagging you in the hope you read this. Most smart cat flaps usually only read the chip to let cats in but any cat can come out. Does your cat know how to use a cat flap? Appreciate there are some models which I think work both ways though.

BeenThereDoneThat101 · 28/08/2023 09:27

The owners haven't secured their house properly to stop other people's cats coming in. That's their fault! They aren't going to be able to bill the OP for cat pee on their carpets. Cats aren't dogs. You aren't liable for them in the same way. So if there is no liability for cats then the neighbours wouldn’t be liable if they say, decided to take the cat to a rescue when they found it in their house.

If your cat leads to someone’s internal property being damaged, due to them either causing damage or you smashing windows and putting their property at risk then of course you’re liable.

And the fire brigade have better things to do than to break into someone’s house to rescue a cat which the owner already knew has a tendency to roam and access other people’s houses. Or do you think that genuine emergencies should be put aside to rescue a cat.

I am actually an animal lover, but the lengths people seem to think it’s acceptable to go to for the sake of a cat are mental.

newusern1 · 28/08/2023 09:27

Is there water connected in the house? Most cats can drink from taps by licking it with their tongue until water drips out

surreygirl1987 · 28/08/2023 09:28

Just want to say I really hope the owners turn up today...

VeloVixen · 28/08/2023 09:30

yorkie99 · 28/08/2023 08:34

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

This. I have a tunnel cat flap, with an extender. House walls are only two brick thick and a small cavity, you can’t get that much bend on it. Sounds very strange.

Iheartbobross · 28/08/2023 09:32

Hope you slept okay OP, I'd go with exhausting estate agent possibilities this morning and then speak to window fitters, as to be honest if there is a window open, anyone who knows how can get in! You'd be doing them a favour by securing it after!!

HeatherMoores · 28/08/2023 09:33

That is some next level intricate cat flap installation.

Yes it might not need a chip to get out but they could have locked it from the inside.

NeedToChangeName · 28/08/2023 09:34

Do you have contact details for tradesmen that have been working on the house? I assume they would have owners' details and perhaps even keys?

grass321 · 28/08/2023 09:34

Do you have a local Facebook type group? Could you post on there as someone may know the EA's mobile and people are usually happy to help out.

SoosanCarter · 28/08/2023 09:35

I think a previous suggestion of using a hosepipe with a connector on the end will bend, and be heavy enough to break the cat flap, might do the trick.
But agree, try the fire brigade

LongLiveGoblingKing · 28/08/2023 09:35

Find out from Rightmove who the estate agents were. Then put a message on your local FB page asking if any employees of estate agents are able to message you as you have an emergency with a neighbouring property. I'd imagine some employees would end up getting tagged in the comments and you can go from there.

anotheranotheranotheranother · 28/08/2023 09:36

The owners haven't secured their house properly to stop other people's cats coming in. That's their fault! They aren't going to be able to bill the OP for cat pee on their carpets.

I actually think this is true, the owners do have a level of responsibility to secure their house. You would have to be a top tier arsehole not to pay for any damages though.

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 28/08/2023 09:42

mydogisthebest · 28/08/2023 09:11

Please tell us how you stop a cat going into another house. Such an idiotic thing to say.

You sound like an ex neighbour of mine. I had a cat that would use their door knocker to knock on their door and also go and stare at them through their patio doors. She came and told me to stop my cat doing those things!

I told her I would have a word with him. Couple of weeks later she comes and tells me he is still doing it. I said well I spoke to him but he ignored me. Stupid cow

Show quote history

Well obviously your talk to the cat was not stern enough🤣

Bellyblueboy · 28/08/2023 09:46

mydogisthebest · 28/08/2023 09:19

The poster who said such a stupid thing made it sound as though you just talk to them and they obey. Maybe she is a cat whisperer!

It's cruel to suddenly keep a cat that is allowed outside in. Some cats are happy to be indoor cats (we had a cat who chose to never go outside) but most are not.

Show quote history

But if you cat is breaking into neighbours homes and peeing all over their soft furnishing and eating their dinner then you need to take steps. Cat proof your garden - keep them in during the day so neighbours can have their windows open.

most cats aren’t such ballsy nuisances that god. My cat rarely leaves the safety of her own garden and is terrified of other people.

Belltentdreamer · 28/08/2023 09:49

Cat people are nuts! There is some crazy old cat person on my road and could imagine her smashing windows and sending in crab sticks in a flap rather than dealing with a situation properly.

XelaM · 28/08/2023 09:51

mydogisthebest · 28/08/2023 09:19

The poster who said such a stupid thing made it sound as though you just talk to them and they obey. Maybe she is a cat whisperer!

It's cruel to suddenly keep a cat that is allowed outside in. Some cats are happy to be indoor cats (we had a cat who chose to never go outside) but most are not.

Show quote history

Cat proof your garden!!!!!! Or build a catio. If you can't keep your cat from damaging other people's homes, don't have a cat.

XelaM · 28/08/2023 09:53

Belltentdreamer · 28/08/2023 09:49

Cat people are nuts! There is some crazy old cat person on my road and could imagine her smashing windows and sending in crab sticks in a flap rather than dealing with a situation properly.

This. The OP could get arrested for criminal damage. It's a criminal offence to cause damage to people's property.

Bellyblueboy · 28/08/2023 09:54

XelaM · 28/08/2023 09:53

This. The OP could get arrested for criminal damage. It's a criminal offence to cause damage to people's property.

Show quote history

People smash windows to save animals all the time. Dog in hot cars for example.

most decent human beings would break a window to stop a pet from dying.

Doggymummar · 28/08/2023 09:58

What's the plan for today?

DameCurlyBassey · 28/08/2023 10:03

Camacamacama · 28/08/2023 09:00

We had almost exactly the same thing happen a few years ago. My husband and one of the neighbours ending up breaking a glass panel in the back door to get in then we posted a very apologetic note through. I hope you get it sorted. I remember being so stressed.

Did you get a glazier out straight away to mend the damage?

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