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?!

That look on your cats face though OP....

🤭

Could you bend a metal coat hanger if you need something with a bend?

Keep it indoors? Fit it with a cone or a bulky bomber jacket so it can no longer for through catflaps?

He is an indoor cat. Now. 😂

😆

This is definitely the sort of thing my cat would do - also love him sat there just watching you

Sorry but this really made me laugh picturing the scene.🤣🤣🤣 Maybe get in touch with the police or RSPCA. I wouldn't just break in. They will expect the cost of damages though.

Taking the screw covers off won't do anything except remove the cover

OK....so here me out.... break a window and get it repaired ASAP/ or call police non emergency number/ call into your local firestation....definitely call rspca

How does that work if you rent?

Have you ever tried to get info from land registry? It takes eons and longer.

Post on local FB group asking if anyone works at whichever estate agents sold the house, explain the problem and ask if they’re able to get contact details? Failing that, food through letter box.

Hoping your neighbour doesn’t have a cat that looks just like yours 😀

@Catsos have you tried the estate agents yet?

😂😂 this alllll day. Its like when someone gets their bike stolen from their front garden and they expect a forensics unit. Or someone keeps getting prank called and expect police to find out who it is through the big MI5 phone data cloud.

Another suggestion (I haven't read every post sorry...)

Do any neighbours have the OLD neighbours contact details? There's a reasonable (50%?) chance the old neighbours got the contact details of their buyers as lots of people do this.

And the cat will say ’Did you mean to be so rude?’ and ’No, one chicken does not feed a family for one week.’

How have they fitted it like that?

have you got a mallet or something heavy to smash the flap. Or can you not get your arm in that far down the tunnel?

Your DCat is the same colour as mine, they are right muppets, mine is always next door.

Any chance you have or can borrow some draining rods? They'd bent and might just work.

Intriguing conundrum

I really do hope you get him out, but maybe when you have take it a bit more serious. Make him an indoor cat to your house or buy one of those catio things for your house.

That look hes giving you. Thats a 'im in the shit when i get out of here look' 🤣.
I agree with the PP - break a small window that he can climb out of
You will obviously need to sort boarding it and cover the cost to replace. Not sure what other options you have tbh.

This really made me laugh.

Hi! They are closed - as it is bank holiday their website says not open until Tuesday morning. On Tuesday it will be heading towards the 72 hours mark.

I’d be frantic. I don’t know what else to suggest OP. Have you got friends or neighbours who can be roped in to save your DCat.

If you can see the room/catflap at the other end of the tunnel OP it sounds like the bend isn't too bad. A bent coat hanger with a ball of sellotape sticky side out on the end?

Do you know anyone with drain rods? They might get round the bend and would be strong enough to bang on the catflap.