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!!

Well done saying no to these entitled CF’s.
I’d put more of that bush up at the fence between your gardens and spray the cat if it still comes in to discourage it.
If you find cat poo at least you know it’s from their cat as they have told you they will be encouraging it to use your garden as an extension of theirs. I’d put the poo back over the fence.
I love cats but what they asked is crazy.

Far better you say no now than set a precedent for accommodating their entitled requests and I say that as someone who has two cats that are my babies.

My neighbour squirts a water pistol near my cats if she catches them in her garden as she worries they’ll upset her rabbits and two doors down have a yappy dog that would chase them given half a chance. I don’t mind, my cats have to learn to co-exist with everyone else’s pets - just because I love my cats, doesn’t mean anyone else has to. Excepting anything else is ridiculous.

I have to ask, is it their precious first newborn cat 😂

Tell them if they are that bothered they should keep their car inside

Please get the cat sound things that deter them. 😂 they are very entitled

As a cat owner, I would never ask my neighbor to do this. Its so entitled?!
Cats are not stupid, they will avoid gardens with dogs. They will avoid spikey plants.
Why your neighbor thinks the woods are "safe" is beyond me?! I am sure the woods has dogs, bramble etc.
If they're that concerned about the cats recommend they have a catio installed. That way their cat can stay in their garden and they know its safe.
Also, if you give into this request, I'm sure there will be more. Don't do it. Nip the entitled behavior in the bud.

Just effing nope! Plant more stuff for security, and let your dog out whenever you want. Weirdos that lot.

They are bonkers and really cheeky asking for your WiFi code

maybe for a week or two you could do a rattle on the door before you let your dog out to give cat a bit of notice but I wouldn’t do more than that

i told my neighbour to put hose on my cat if she’s in his garden , he hates cats she adores him, that's worked

I have a cat of my own but what they are asking is ridiculous. Let your dog out when you want to the cat will stop coming in your garden that way. It will go round. I'm lucky coz my cat doesn't go out of my garden much and still uses a litter tray inside so no one gets my cat pooh in their garden

just asking if anyone knows…why would a cat not go in its own garden and go to another’s? Any idea… my cats go in the corner of the garden which is overgrown and my neighbours have never seen them in their gardens

Cats don't see your garden fence as the limit of their territory. If your cat prefers an overgrown area to an open space, it might not feel confident enough to get into a fight with other cats over territory.