Neighbours asking me to “cat sit”

[Fire9636]

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?

Mine is allowed outside and I'd rather lock her in with a litter tray for a week than lock her out.
If they didn't want to ask someone to go into thier home while away/ask you to manage a litter tray then they could have booked a cattery. It's around £12 a night in my experience.
They are really poor, horrible pet owners.

This angers me so much 😡

What were they thinking ?!?!

My boy is my third child & my favourite 🤫
I'd never ever do this.

You are nice. They are horrible.

Steal the cat.

Adapt my old auntie. Their pet is wet, cold and bewildered.

I pay £20 a day when I'm on holiday to a friend who comes in twice a day and cuddles my cats.

In warm weather they happily sleep on the garden furniture, but they come running when she comes and she sits with them after they've eaten.

They have been distressed before in the 5 million star cattery I booked them into with more effort than it took to book a table at Gordon Ramsey.

It's very simple. You have a pet, you look after them.

It's horrible mistreatment of an animal and in fact they should have been giving you the spare door key and asking you to pop in and feed the cat -or- asking if you'd mind taking the cat in for a week.

However, as per manipulative and coercive people who deprive you of making a fully informed decision, they didn't tell you the whole story.

Personally I would be furious with them and heartbroken for the cat. I'd be tempted to rehome it whilst they're gone!

As has already been said, the welfare charities won't be able to take this as a case, they have too much serious abuse they already can't handle.

Text them ‘how many days do you expect me to watch your cat miserable and crying at your door before it apparently ‘adapts’?? I can’t believe you asked me to watch while you leave your pet neglected and miserable, it’s been very upsetting. Cat is coming inside to ours. I hope your holiday is worth neglecting your pet for.’

Glad to see the majority of respondents here are not the cat-hating “leave them outside, they’re fine, they can cope” tossers (who would probably also complain if the poor cat did have to hunt for her own food).

@NotStayingIn
maybe they rent & can't put a cat flap in?

@Fire9636

do you think she'd share rug in front of the fire??

When they get back, if they come to ask if you know where their cat is, just say yes 'in front of the fire, you were right! She 'adapted'

I foster cats for a local charity that takes on outdoor colonies and gets them neutered, chipped and vets treatment. I have had a few adults who have gone on to be very happy outdoor cats (luckily know a couple if people with farms) they all have access to barns etc. Before this they are usually in a really poor state, have had kittens that are so interbred there is no choice but to have them put to sleep. Rescues are full to the brim, kitten season now seems to go on all year. The cost of living crisis plays a part- loads of dumped or abandoned cats. Also loads of people brought a kitten off gumtree during covid and kittens who are not neutered go on to have more kittens or make other cats pregnant. As a charity we are full but never really close because things are so bad and no one says no.

Just to add- a cat owner who cares about their cat would never do this.

Perhaps she could go 'missing' for a few weeks... until she's used to her new loving home with you 🥰

I'd never do this to my two lovelies. They love sunbathing and an evening treat before bedtime. This poor puss deserves better. The owners clearly know nothing and don't care.

What horrible ignorant people! Leaving the cat outside without shelter is NOT ok. I would contact the RSPCA.

According to the animal welfare act you must provide a suitable environment for your pet.

The code of practice states that for cats, this means providing safe shelter, even if the cat lives outside. It is stated that living in a cold or wet place will cause suffering to the cat.

it’s really not ok to leave a cat outside all week. Outside cats don’t actually spend all their time outside. Non house cat would be a better description.
Growing up we had a non house cat who lived in the garage (where the boiler was) he had a cat flap, food water and a bed. He had access to the house and did come in every day briefly
I’ve taken to caring for quite a few feral cats that turned up. They would definitely be described as outside cats however they are all hiding in a nice dry barn.

Poor cat deserves much better owners .

That's horrible considering the weather they could have at least got cat a little house for shelter from the rain
I would give them an earful when they come back

You sound lovely OP. Thanks for your kindness.

I have an old lady princess who sleeps at night between our pillows, and a young boy cat who yowls and cries and howls when it rains as he absolutely hates it.

Still reading, but it made me all warm and fuzzy to read the cat was under your desk asleep. I really hope the cat stays with you. Your neighbours are absolute fuckers

This 'adapt' crap is awful - and untrue. I was hoping OP would update with 'cat is having you on, she has access to a draught-proof insulated cat house in the garden... '

Whilst some cats can, in any area, cats will have their own territories and shelter spots. Meaning a cat not used to spending lots of time with no option but to shelter outside is likely to be driven away from, or be reluctant to wander to find shelter, because of the risk of getting battered by other cats.

@Fire9636 Feed catto the nicest of foods and when the old owners return and cat wants to stay with you, shrug your shoulders and say:

'Ahh well, I guess she adapted!'

God what arseholes they are to leave the cat outside for a week when it's used to being inside. How kind of you to go and look for it in the dreadful weather.

Make it clear to your neighbours that umless they've installed a cat flap by the time they next go away you won't be cat sitting again as you felt incredibly sorry for the poor cat. The heap skates need a catflap or to pay for a cattery.

Absolute rubbish the a cat used to being indoors will adapt. It's October, there are storms raging through the country. My cat has barely left the house in recent days because it's been so wet. I can only imagine how distressed he'd be to be locked out of his home for a whole week! Thank you for looking after him.

I’d be fitting a cat flap to my house so the poor thing can choose where it wants to spend it’s time.
How mean of the owners!!

Poor kitty. Even those farm barn cats have access to a BARN funnily enough! My mum
rehomes ferals and even they have to be guaranteed shelter

This. I'm glad she has you. It would be fine if she was used to being an outdoor cat 24/7 and wasn't crying to be let back in.

When we go away we leave our cat outside - he's a proper murderer so doesn't mind too much. He has access to the garage, water down, and my parents/neighbours feed him.
Hopefully your neighbours would have a similar setup and the cat was just stringing you along. If not, then they are definitely BU.

Eagerly awaiting the post from someone saying they went on holiday for a week and their neighbor stole their cat! 😼