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?!

Can your cat not escape through the now opened window?

Crab sticks 🤣 the smell……

Eh? They’re the ones with a fancy but shit cat flap!

Locksmiths don't change locks without proof of ownership

If you keep hanging around the property attempting entry, another neighbour may call the police. Perhaps if they arrived they would assist?

Can you call a locksmith to enter via the back? Grab the cat and then pay for a new lock to be fitted there and then? Then invest in a catio or something similar to stop this happening again!

Crabsticks 😂

Have you got a local Facebook group? Maybe try the power of social media. The builders who are doing the renovation will have a key. You could ask on the street if anyone knows who they are and then ask them. Failing that police.

Oh dear. Not to make you feel worse but not sure posting food in was a great idea. Intake may lead to a poo situation on their lovely rug.

Oh my! Crab sticks???? OP!!!

God yes. Insurance and safety. Simple barrel change is twenty quid or something from B&Q.

Also, who leaves a cat flap that random cats can get through, and possibly not get out of? They don't all wear bulky bomber jackets. Many cats go au naturel these days, what with the cost of living crisis.

Try and jam the catflap open somehow - maybe sellotape it open if you can reach far enough?

How about a vacuum cleaner hose, stuff it through the flap and it might do it?

If they are doing construction you may be able to find the owners names on the council's website and google. Or just look and see if you can find who purchased the property on google.

No point ringing rspca. They dont have any powers of entry. The only ones who can are police.
I hope the neighbours prosecute/ sue you for any damage caused.

Have the builders got a board or sign on the property that you can call? Or ask the neighbours if the builders van has a business name that you can Google a contact for?

Looking at our cat flap it's possible for a cat to get in - by battering it - but not out. Depends on how they have set it.

With past cat flaps outs have got in after loosing collars, magnets etc.

If its already been forced in the you can probably do the same without causing any additional damage.

You may be able to force the bolts down with a knife. Prop it open and wait for the bruiser to appear.

There may be no damage to it at all, some aren't that solidly constructed.

Once their cats are living there yours may be less likely to visit?

Will you be having a party for him on his return?

Oh dear!! This is making me laugh so much. 😹

My neighbour's cat is a huge beast and he can break into my locked cat flap. No idea how; I can't do it (yes I've tried). However he then can't get out & my cats go crazy until I let him out - normally in the middle of the night.

No real suggestions other than keep trying to break in the cat flap; mostly just waiting for more crazy cat updates (and photos).

It’s on some latch, open about an inch and a half - only enough to get my crabsticks through.

I’m going to ring the police now. I feel like such a plonker but fingers crossed they help.

Can you try finding people who work for the estate agents on LinkedIn and messaging them? Long shot but might work?

If you have names/profile pics, you might be able to find them on Facebook or Twitter too

Crab sticks? Why the fuck

I hope something for you, too.

Worth trying the police OP. You won't be any worse off for ringing them. Good luck 👍

Do you mean look to see whether any planning permission has been applied for? Because that's the only database which will give you any information, however even that is often redacted.

And Google isn't going to tell you who bought a house unless it's JLo or Megan Markle.