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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

TammyJones · 20/10/2023 20:30

We always had cats when I was a kid.Lived in the countryside.
Our cats always went out at night
They were nocturnal and always found somewhere dry ti be.
We had a cardboard box with an old baby blanket or fluffy towel in it kept in an acceptable outhouse.
Then in the morning the cat came in, fed and went to sleep all day in the house.
They were always very happy cats.

vipersnest1 · 20/10/2023 20:43

I've gone away and left cats outside and have arranged for them to be fed - but this was in good weather only.
Leaving them outside when you know the weather is going to be bad is unfair and poor ownership.

DdraigGoch · 20/10/2023 20:43

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.

A friends (admittedly quite old) cat got caught out in a storm last month and got hypothermia. They still need access to shelter.

AhBiscuits · 20/10/2023 20:51

Congratulations on your new cat.

givemeasunnyday · 20/10/2023 20:51

DdraigGoch · 20/10/2023 20:43

A friends (admittedly quite old) cat got caught out in a storm last month and got hypothermia. They still need access to shelter.

Show quote history

This. I used to feed a young stray cat and he turned up at my house one night with hypothermia and I kept him warm until he recovered. He ended up being neutered and moving in. 🐱

Some people really don't have the faintest idea about domestic animals, and it's worrying that some of them might actually have pets!!!

QueenBitch666 · 20/10/2023 20:58

Animal cruelty. That's fucking disgusting 😡

Dunnoburt · 20/10/2023 21:01

My 12 year old puss is only indoors for a bit of cupboard love at the moment.... when it gets cold that's different.... wouldn't bother me personally.... they know their cat......

Dunnoburt · 20/10/2023 21:02

Before anyone accuses me of "neglect"...we have a cat flap....

KirstenBlest · 20/10/2023 21:06

So do we. DCat has shelter in the garden. Doesn't mind the cold but doesn't like rain

cansu · 20/10/2023 21:07

Awful. I am not precious about our cat but he does not like being cold and wet! I wouldn't dream of leaving him outside like this.

bombastix · 20/10/2023 21:20

Bastards. Cat will feel the cold and wet. Glad you are being kind to it OP

agent765 · 20/10/2023 21:39

Seems normal around here. The whole street's cats are out day and night and are basically feral.

A few neighbours have taken one owner's cats in and another takes them to the PDSA to be neutered.

The owner gets aggressive if she sees any of her cats in another's window but what does she expect?

She's a terrible owner, lets hers breed and breed, never treats them for worms or fleas and as a result has caused problems for the responsible pet owners locally.

The owners that have their cats indoors during the day also lock them out overnight.

shiningstar2 · 20/10/2023 21:40

It is one thing for a cat with access to the house to decide to go out in the rain for a few hours then come back in to get warm, dry and have a comfortable bed when it feels like it. It is quite another thing to leave a cat, which normally has access to its home, outside 24hoursa day for however long it's owners are away. In this weather it will have no possibility of getting warm and dry the whole week long. I would have to let it in my own home this weather, and I am a dog rather than cat lover. I would make it up a comfortable corner op. A cushion or old blanket will do. Get some cat litter, let it out when it wants to go and have strong words with the owners when they come home. It is very different to some owners upthread whose cats insist on being let out. They will be let in again at some point when the owners return from work. If by then they've had enough of the cold and wet they have the choice of settling inside.

Floppyelf · 20/10/2023 21:57

Congrats on being a 😺mummy

Dunnoburt · 20/10/2023 21:57

Cats are not dogs.....they can find shelter...they are not owned, they need no humans.....a greenhouse.....a shed..... under a car...... its not cold out!!..... I'm very much a cat person but would only be concerned if it was cold!!

Duckingella · 20/10/2023 22:15

Jeez what a pair of A-holes.

Their essentially too cheap to pay for a cattery where she can be cared for properly.

Thank you for being kind and taking her indoors.

ActDottie · 20/10/2023 22:16

Yanbu what absolute arseholes of pet owners!!!! Poor cat

id speak to rspca about it, it may not be reportable but you need to try and they may give you some advice etc.

I’m so shocked that people would do this :(

Sugarmole · 20/10/2023 22:27

I don't think they deserve to have the cat back as it has found a lovely new home with a lovely person x

givemeasunnyday · 20/10/2023 22:46

Dunnoburt · 20/10/2023 21:57

Of course they can find shelter, but that doesn't make it ideal. A cat which is used to being inside when it wants is not going to be happy shut outside, and most cats don't like being wet. Also, the shelter they find may well be someone's shed or garage, which they are likely to shut without realising a cat is inside.

As for saying "cats need no humans" - what nonsense. A stray cat who finds a human to provide a reliable source of food is a much happier cat than one who has to find its own.

You really don't sound "very much a cat person".

Sugarfish · 20/10/2023 22:50

This is not ok at all. Cats are so sensitive and this change in routine could really upset it. It was crying to get back into its home! They also feel the cold easily and when their coats get wet they take ages to dry properly, especially with the weather being colder. Can you take the poor thing in until it’s owners are back?

Original poster

Fire9636 · 20/10/2023 22:55

Little update I let the cat out earlier but she just hung around the back garden. I texted neighbour and asked re shelter in garden and mentioned I was concerned with the rain: they said no shelter but “she’ll be fine, cats adapt” however husbands just found her crying at their front door again. She’s back in mine in front of the fire now

OP posts:

bombastix · 20/10/2023 22:58

Cats are like us. They like comfort and warmth and company. The owner is an idiot

TurquoiseThings · 20/10/2023 22:59

Thank you for looking after the cat OP, its owners are crap!

NotStayingIn · 20/10/2023 23:01

I'd be tempted to 'make' them a cat flat by throwing a brick through their window. OK not really, but honestly, they are such shites. Surely you'd get a cat flap before going away for a week. Idiots. So glad you are helping the cat!

Catsmere · 20/10/2023 23:24

CrackSpackle · 20/10/2023 08:12

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

Yes, this. Shame the RSPCA in Britain seem useless. These people aren't fit to own a cat.

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