To be upset and worried I haven't seen my neighbour's cat in three months?

[HelloHilda]

I don't actually know these neighbours and have never spoken to them, but my husband doesn't get along with the man because of a fender bender in the past, so I don't feel comfortable going over there and asking. They live at the end of the cul de sac and their cat used to visit me all the time. I never fed it, but I do have a cat of my own who I leave food out for, so the neighbour's cat would sometimes have a nibble of that and play with my cat.

He was/is such an adorable cat. I think a Russian Blue or Korat. A bit aloof and skittish around strangers, but friendly and "chatty" with people he knows. This cat has been visiting my garden for three years almost and would always randomly appear most days. In the past, the most he ever stayed away for was three or four days, but now he's been absent for almost three months. I didn't take much notice at first because I thought maybe he was just staying away for some reason, but after two weeks I started worrying and checking local facebook pages to see if any dead cats had been found/reported missing--nothing. I checked the neighbour's facebook page, nothing posted about their cat being missing.

I know it's silly to get so attached to somebody else's pet, but I don't like not knowing what happened to him. For all I know, he could be at his own home relaxing and just got sick of my house for some reason, but I'd hate if anything happened to him like a dog attack or hit by car. I think about him a lot and just hope he's okay. But no, going over there and asking isn't an option.

Have you ever gotten attached to a neighbour's cat?

I hear ya! I have a cat friend down the road and I know he’s getting on a bit now and will really miss him when he’s gone. He’s the sort who doesn’t let you walk past without coming over for a good fuss and to wrap himself round your legs 🥰

With all due respect, get your own cat.

I've made friends with a few neighbourhood cats. I've never got as attached to them as with my own cats, but I've still been sad when they've moved away or died.

Didn’t see this bit?
I do have a cat of my own who I leave food out for, so the neighbour's cat would sometimes have a nibble of that and play with my cat.

I already have a cat but it's not about me wanting another pet. It's just, I've gotten used to having him around so now he's missing I wonder all the time what happened and if he's okay. I wouldn't mind if he just stops visiting, but I'd like to know he's okay for closure.

I think the cat has gone for a lovely holiday at the farm the other side of the Dale (gentle hand pat)

Ask them! If they have lost their pet, they might be touched to know you cared enough to ask, and it might even mend some fences?

I totally get how you feel. When we moved into our house five years ago a very elegant, charming grey cat came to welcome us in. He wasn't young then and now he is very elderly, as is the lovely lady who owns him. I make sure to make big fuss of him whenever I see him, as I know he won't be around for much longer.

I feel you OP. As I kid I was very attached to a dainty black and white gal who came into our garden every day for years. Still feel love in my heart when I think of her 30 years on :)

When we moved here the neighbours across the street had a huge ginger cat who came in at every opportunity- we think the old lady who lived here before us used to encourage him. Then some new people moved in also across the street and brought alpha cat with them. Ginger cat gradually stopped coming, presumably because he’d been seen off by alpha. We haven’t seen him for a very long time now and assume he’s crossed the rainbow bridge.

I would feel exactly the same as you. I got attached to my neighbours cat who would visit and sleep in my dining room sometimes. If she saw me outside she would meow and follow me. After a few months of her coming over the neighbours decided to re-home her and they sent her to a cat shelter. I was so sad I cried for a few days because I really missed her lol. I wanted to take her in myself but I already had a rescue resident who would've hated it. When she came to visit we had to keep them in separate rooms otherwise they would fight, so we couldn't adopt her from the neighbours. I still think about her and wonder how she's doing and what kind of home she has

Neighbours have left a message in the hyper-local group WhatsApp when their cats have died. It’s good to know – before the WhatsApp group another neighbour told me in person about their cat’s demise and caught me off guard, cue them have to comfort me as I wept, definitely the wrong way around 😿

My cat died recently and I didn’t tell my neighbours. Oops!

When I was a little girl there’s was an elderly collie who wandered around the village alone and was everyone’s friend. When he died there was a funeral and the vicar did a lovely little sermon to an absolutely packed church.