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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours asking me to “cat sit”

239 replies

Fire9636 · 20/10/2023 07:42

Neighbours a few doors down have asked me to feed their cat whilst they’re away. Not really put out by this happy to help although don’t have any pets of my own. Anyway they’ve gone for a week and it transpired last night when they came to drop the food off that the cat will be outside the whole week and they want me to feed it outside? They don’t have a cat flap and the cat has no access to the house.

I was to shocked to say anything last night but went looking for the cat when this awful weather started and found it crying at the door of its home to be let in. I’ve managed to coax it to mine.

is this reportable or am I out of touch and this is fine for cats?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 20/10/2023 07:45

It's not fine or ok but wouldn't meet the threshold for RSPC to give 2 hoots.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 20/10/2023 07:45

It's not very nice but it's not reportable

Agix · 20/10/2023 07:45

This is in no way fine for domestic cats. How awful, poor thing.

QueSyrahSyrah · 20/10/2023 07:50

As above I don't think it's reportable but it's shitty. Thank goodness the poor thing has you looking out for it OP.

KirstenBlest · 20/10/2023 07:52

The cat has a thick furry waterproof coat and is quite able to get a takeaway or drink from a puddle.

TheNinjaWife · 20/10/2023 07:54

This is not fine for cats at all! Poor thing. Thank you for looking out for it.
I don’t have much advice though, only that a similar situation happened with us, where a neighbour was convinced their cat was an outdoor only cat and we would find him crying outside in all weathers.
We used to look out for him too, but never reported as he was more neglected than abused.
To cut a long story short, this went on for 4 years eventually they moved abroad and we have had him for the past 11 years. Turns out he very much likes the indoors! And is now a very well loved pet.
Hopefully someone will be along soon to give some advice, but maybe you could provide some sort of makeshift shelter if he can’t have access to your home at all hours?

YireosDodeAver · 20/10/2023 07:55

That's rather shitty pet ownership.

Fortunately cats are generally not "owned" - they consent to live with humans they consider to be adequate servants.

Feed the cat as requested. In your home is fine if the weather is shitty. The cat may decide that you are a more adequate servant than the previous humans.

Coffeepot72 · 20/10/2023 07:55

Do you have anything you can turn into a makeshift shelter, and put it in your neighbours garden? I am not suggesting you have any responsibility to do this, but I feel very sorry for that poor cat

Baldieheid · 20/10/2023 07:56

No, not fine, not even 1% fine.
I'd say it would be way better to contain the cat in the home for the week, and you go in and play with it each day, than lock it out for a week.
I'm appalled.

bellac11 · 20/10/2023 08:01

Its not ok but as others have said the RSPCA wont give a toss if you report it

Do the owners have a little cat kennel somewhere in the garden?

Perhaps the cat messes in the house and they cant keep on top of it while they're not there, does the cat always live outside?

margotrose · 20/10/2023 08:03

It's not reportable in the slightest - loads of cats live outdoors or as barn/farm cats.

I don't blame you for feeling sorry for the cat but it's not illegal or anything the RSPCA would be interested in.

Original poster
Fire9636 · 20/10/2023 08:05

Doesn’t live outside often usually can see her napping in the front window so I think she very much lives inside. They didn’t mention the shelter but I can’t access their garden so couldn’t know for sure. She’s lay on the blanket under my desk for now I’m WFH today so will keep her inside with me if she’s happy

OP posts:
Poontangle · 20/10/2023 08:07

Congratulations on your new cat! 🐱

RandomButtons · 20/10/2023 08:07

It’s not ok at all, but if you feed that cat inside your house for a week you’ll find the cat moves in.

Can you make it a temporary shelter?

AvengedQuince · 20/10/2023 08:09

KirstenBlest · 20/10/2023 07:52

The cat has a thick furry waterproof coat and is quite able to get a takeaway or drink from a puddle.

This isn't a Scottish wildcat or even a farm cat. It's a family pet that would be cold, wet and confused. Even farm cats or semi feral cats should have a warm dry shelter provided like a cat house or outbuilding.

Spacecowboys · 20/10/2023 08:10

I think this is not okay. They could have left a litter tray in the house for the cat and asked you to let it out in the afternoons or something.

CrackSpackle · 20/10/2023 08:12

What shitty cat parents they are. They don't deserve to own a cat. Angry

Zanatdy · 20/10/2023 08:12

I’d have a stern word when they return, that’s just cruel

echt · 20/10/2023 08:13

Awful owners.

I hope the cat does a revenge shit on the duvet when they get back. Yes, it's thing.

CrackSpackle · 20/10/2023 08:14

I'd be giving them an earful when they get back. Assholes.

Threewheeler1 · 20/10/2023 08:19

Poor little mite. The weather's forecast to be relentlessly wet.
Even farm cats have a dry shelter to get to.
I think you sound like a lovely neighbour, cat's actual owners...not so much.

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 20/10/2023 08:20

YireosDodeAver · 20/10/2023 07:55

That's rather shitty pet ownership.

Fortunately cats are generally not "owned" - they consent to live with humans they consider to be adequate servants.

Feed the cat as requested. In your home is fine if the weather is shitty. The cat may decide that you are a more adequate servant than the previous humans.

I had my cat for 12 years. He was very much loved and adored.
He then decided that he preferred a elderly couple who lived in the same village. He doesn't even come to visit! 😂
Be prepared for the cat decide that he now lives with you OP!

vickylou78 · 20/10/2023 08:20

So you don't even have access to their garden? Where are you supposed to feed it? At their front door? How odd. Bad cat owners!
It's nice you've taken the cat in for this stormy weather but trouble is the cat may move into your house!

BeetleDeuce · 20/10/2023 08:23

YABU to say you don’t have any pets in your OP because you now have a cat

thank you for being nice to it!

NewName122 · 20/10/2023 08:23

That is so cruel. What horrible people