New neighbours cat

[butterflycatching]

Not so much an AIBU, because I am not going to change my mind, but it has been playing on my mind for a few days now.

I moved into a new-build a few months ago. I was the first one to complete, and the development has been gradually filling up. I have the house on the end of the development and next to me is woodland.

New neighbours moved into the house next door last week and popped round- I thought to introduce themselves. But, they actually asked if before I let my dog out in the garden if I would check that their cat wasn't in my garden so it doesn't get hurt, and if I would consider removing the pyracantha (spiky plant) I have planted on the woods side fence so their cat can use that as access to the woods.

I told them no, I had planted that for security, but I would happily plant more along their fence side too if it will keep their cat away from my dog. I then got a whole explanation of they were hoping to encourage the cat to use my garden side towards the woods for roaming- rather than the other gardens which eventually lead up to the road. I was left thinking they thought I was very difficult.

I am not wrong in thinking this is bonkers and entitled? I can't be checking the whole garden for their cat every time I let the dog out. And you can't train a cat to roam in a particular direction anyway!!

Just read the post to my cat… never realised she could laugh until now

I think they are a bit entitled, they also asked if they could have my wifi password until theirs was installed, but I felt easier saying no to that one because work pay for it. The cat thing they wrapped up as an animal safety/welfare issue and kind of implied I was a dick for not being concerned if it got hurt.

People are absolutely bonkers! 🤣 YADNBU OP!

They sound bonkers. Do not let them make you feel that you have been in some way unreasonable. A neighbour once asked me to let her cleaner in, sit there for 2 hrs while she cleaned, then lock up when she left.

As a former cat (and dog owner)
they are being entitled dicks. They should have bought your house.
all the houses I’ve lived in with cats I’ve hoped they’ve used a certain safer route than the road route, but I wouldn’t dream of asking neighbours to accommodate my pet.
the cat will quickly learn the best routes for where it wants to go, and how to avoid torment your dog.
as for saying they didn’t realise they were buying next to a dog owner - have they ever had neighbours before???!

They are entitled dicks

Yes, entitled dicks is exactly it

They asked for your WiFi code!? Was it so the Cat could watch its favourite Tv show?
ffs

I’m glad you’ve been strong in saying no to these people, it would only get worse with what they asked for next!

If this is reflective of their cat approach in general, Tiddles is definitely laughing at them behind their backs. Don't give these bizarre requests another thought.

First they want to dictate when you let the dog out, then they want you to rearrange your garden and now they want your internet password? What the hell? Would they like to use your washing machine too until theirs is plumbed in?? Honestly Op start familiarising yourself with the words Fuck and Off because you are going to need them with these piss takers.

They're shaping up to be hellish neighbours...who asks for a wifi code? Not exactly hard to get a bolt on from mobile phone provider or have they asked for your phone too??

The cat and the dog will soon come to an accommodation if they are left to work it out themselves. And if the cat wants to go to the woods it will find a way, dog or not

.To be fair the mobile signal here is pretty poor and I think they said it was a 2 week lead time on broadband, but they are a family of three and I was worried they'd take all my bandwidth 😅

It was all part of the same conversation though, so hopefully now I've said no a few times they'll think I'm a miserable cow and leave me to it. They did strike me as quite comfortable asking for favours though!!

Your neighbours are being ridiculous and need to get a grip. Their cat, their problem. Of course you shouldn't be checking your garden every time you let your dog out. Madness.

This isn't the first time I've heard of cat owners making these sorts of requests though. Also SIL's next door neighbour had a go at her when she adopted a dog that didn't like children. The dog wasn't aggressive to children or anything, he just ignored them and gave them a wide berth. But apparently the neighbour considered it 'unkind' that my SIL had chosen a dog that didn't want to interact with her loud, excitable child through the fence, as if that should have been top of my SIL's requirements when adopting a dog for her own child-free household.

I definitely wouldn't do it. Perhaps they should have done their homework a little better. Hope things do improve over time though and they turn out to be decent neighbours

Are they very young OP???

They are nuts cats will just walk along fences and go where they want. My cat went next door and chased the dog, they thought it hilarious. We are all sane enough to know cats can look after themselves. I have lived for years with dos on both sides and at back. Cat just goes along fences to get to the fields.

Late twenties with a 4 year old. First "owned" home, they were very excited to tell me that.

I think they are a bit mixed with overwhelmed by all the stuff THEY actually have to sort out after having a landlord or others do it for them, coupled with a bit of excitement that they can finally do their own thing... they might just need reminding they are in charge of their own home, not mine too!!

I’ve just moved to a new build with a cat and the bloody thing is making it all about her, demanding to go out day and night and giving me the cold shoulder if it’s dark out and I say no 🤣

Can you imagine the pre-completion convos these people have had with each other?

“What are we going to do about the cat? It will need sone time to adjust to its new surroundings and he/she would absolutely love those woods. I know, we will just ask the neighbours for a cat right of way, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Hope no one has got a dog, can you imagine the trauma all the barking would cause?”

Abso-fucking-lutely bonkers!

Edited to add … change your Wi-Fi name to fuckthefuckoff or mydogwouldeatyourcatasasnack or something 😆

I have been known to put cat TV on you tube for mine! That's when she had to wear a cone and couldn't go outside! She is a bit addicted to it now though, must start monitoring her screen time.

OP, your new neighbours are nuts.

Nah, release the hounds!

If the cat avoids the woods, you are probably saving the lives of countless small fluffy creatures that already live there. It will probably just go along the fence or through other gardens though.

My cat spots the YouTube logo going on to our TV screen and is straight up on the TV unit waiting for her videos!

If we watch something that isn't a cat video she develops the patience of a saint and will sit there for absolutely ages!

I fear ours has an addition issue too!

This is a good point actually. Do the neighbours know that wildlife lives in the woods and there's a good chance that they'll be receiving a daily mouse gift??

Maybe dead, maybe alive, maybe left behind the toilet for a few days until you start to wonder where the awful smell is coming from... not speaking from experience at all, oh no...-

They are crackers , your garden so you plant whatever you want , your dog so he has free access to the garden .If they want to keep their cat safe they should cat proof their garden or get a catio .

They asked for your WIFI password too???? OMG, just keep saying no until they hopefully never bother you again. They sound like absolute pains in the bum. Definitely not people you want to be doing favours for, they'll be take, take, take by the sounds of it!