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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have released this cat

64 replies

idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 20:44

I did something on the spur of the moment and now I’m wondering if I was in fact wrong to do what I did.

I went round to the house of a family on my street the other day to let them know that their dog had escaped and was running maniacally towards the woods. Someone in the household then wandered off to find the errant dog.
i was then talking to the woman of the household on the doorstep when she said ‘guess what’s in there?’ and pointed to her downstairs loo (Our houses are identikit new builds so i know exactly what the room looks like. It’s 1.5 meters by 1 meter with a loo and a sink only. Tiled floor) Then she said she’s got a stray cat in there. I asked what cat and she described a local very distinctive cat and said he’d been in there for four days and she was going to take him to the vets.
When she went back inside I waited and then opened the front door quietly and unlocked the loo and released the cat. Was I wrong? I feel bad, but I can’t see on our local Facebook groups that she made any attempt to find the owners of this cat and four days locked in the little loo seems rather cruel to me. Was I wrong? If the cat needed help then there are people you can call. There’s no need to wait four days if you have the animals best interests at heart, surely? You don’t just go around picking up random cats that you think need help and then shoving them in a cupboard until you get round to it.
I’ve got a strong feeling she knows it was me because you had to physically unlock to toilet door from the outside so it didn’t happen accidentally. I’m hoping she confronts me soon so I can stop stressing about it!

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 29/05/2025 20:50

So you broke into your neighbours house to release a cat?

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 29/05/2025 20:50

Why had they locked the toilet door from the outside?!

Feelingdownbutnotout · 29/05/2025 20:51

No I wouldn't have sneaked into someone else's house and released the cat.

But when she told me about the cat and the fact it had been in there 4 days I would have remonstrated with her - forcibly- and tried to get her to release the cat herself.
And if she refused to do so I would have gone home and reported her to animal welfare charities - Cats Protection or RSPCA - and even the police.

cadburyegg · 29/05/2025 20:51

YANBU

Theunamedcat · 29/05/2025 20:52

Was there food or anything in there? Why wait four days for a vet visit?

idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 21:00

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 29/05/2025 20:50

Why had they locked the toilet door from the outside?!

I think so that children in the family didn’t absentmindedly open the door to use the loo and let the cat out.

OP posts:
idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 21:01

Theunamedcat · 29/05/2025 20:52

Was there food or anything in there? Why wait four days for a vet visit?

There was a blanket/bed thing on the floor and a litter tray. The tray was not clean.

OP posts:
idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 21:01

Crunchymum · 29/05/2025 20:50

So you broke into your neighbours house to release a cat?

Yes. I wouldn’t call it ‘breaking in’ but I think my post makes it clear what I did.

OP posts:
HuffleMyPuffle · 29/05/2025 21:02

You don't know the cat had been locked in for 4 days, she may have locked it in whilst she opened the door

And you basically trespassed into her house

Maybe she should lock her front door though

idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 21:06

HuffleMyPuffle · 29/05/2025 21:02

You don't know the cat had been locked in for 4 days, she may have locked it in whilst she opened the door

And you basically trespassed into her house

Maybe she should lock her front door though

The cat was in there for four days. She has numerous cats and two unruly large dogs so there’s no way she could just take the ‘stray’ in to her home and carry on as normal. She’s got form for ‘rescuing’ random cats which pisses me off. Just get help immediately if you think it’s needed, don’t kidnap someone’s pet.

OP posts:
Bridgetjonesheart · 29/05/2025 21:11

You did the right thing.

Panterusblackish · 29/05/2025 21:13

idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 21:06

The cat was in there for four days. She has numerous cats and two unruly large dogs so there’s no way she could just take the ‘stray’ in to her home and carry on as normal. She’s got form for ‘rescuing’ random cats which pisses me off. Just get help immediately if you think it’s needed, don’t kidnap someone’s pet.

She might not have been able to get help.

I'm feeding a stray at work at the moment. I'm trying to get it used to me and coming regularly. If I can then I will have to wait for a volunteer 'wand angel' to come out and scan it to see if its chipped.

I've been told in no uncertain terms by the cats protection organisation that even if it turns out to be unclipped they are not bringing in any strays at present.

NotRightNowPlease · 29/05/2025 21:18

Well I think you did the right thing! Who kid(cat)naps a cat they think "may" be a stray for 4 days, locking them in a toilet, without seeking help to track down their owner!?

ExitPursuedByABare · 29/05/2025 21:22

Good for you.

Els1e · 29/05/2025 21:27

You absolutely did the right thing. The cat will sort itself out and choose it's home (or might just next meal and warm place to sleep) 🐈

lljkk · 29/05/2025 21:35

wwwaiiittt... she kidnapped someone else's cat?
Or is cat a 'known' local stray?
'Stray' cats often have regular homes, but parking that possibility for now.

Did she say why she intended to take it to the vet?

idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 21:47

This cat is a beautiful long haired local cat that enjoys an outdoor lifestyle. There has never been any indication that he’s a stray and he looks well fed and is friendly.

Shes just decided she likes the look of him and has taken him off the streets and shut him in her downstairs loo. I have no idea why you’d do that without first trying to find his owners, getting a vet involved…..and anyway, who is there right mind thinks their tiny bog is a better environment for a cat for four days then being outside and free to roam or return home as they wish. She’s nuts IMO.

OP posts:
idonethisthing · 29/05/2025 22:01

lljkk · 29/05/2025 21:35

wwwaiiittt... she kidnapped someone else's cat?
Or is cat a 'known' local stray?
'Stray' cats often have regular homes, but parking that possibility for now.

Did she say why she intended to take it to the vet?

Edited

Yes she said that he’s matted and in pain and bleeding as a result. He isn’t! I’ve stroked him many times. I think he’s a Maine Coon cross, he’s gorgeous. And his coat is luxurious. When I let him out I gave him a quick once over and he’s good!

OP posts:
IsoscelesSandwich · 29/05/2025 22:26

You did the right thing. Neighbour sounds batshit. If she ever does ask you about it I hope you tell her that she was being cruel.

OCDmama · 29/05/2025 22:29

The only thing YBU about was not confronting the woman.

TatteredAndTorn · 29/05/2025 23:31

Well done you. Wtf does that? Keep an eye on her. I’d find out who the Maine coon’s owner was and let then know in case she does it again! I’d also let as many people know as I could locally in case any other pets go missing.

ButteredRadish · 29/05/2025 23:47

Crunchymum · 29/05/2025 20:50

So you broke into your neighbours house to release a cat?

🙄🙄🙄 Really, Crunchy? Ffs!

CinnamonBuns67 · 29/05/2025 23:51

Yanbu I think you did the right thing. I'd be reporting what she's doing to rspca and I'd be telling locals to be vigilant about their cats. Glad I keep mine indoors to avoid nutters like that.

ButteredRadish · 29/05/2025 23:53

@idonethisthingWell bloody done, OP! 👏🏻
I’d also try to work out who his owners are and warn them in case she does it again.
I cannot stand these people who think a cat wandering around is automatically ‘lost’ or a stray. Do they not understand the concept of cats or what?! 🐈‍⬛ 🐈

urbanbuddha · 29/05/2025 23:58

I bet the cat thinks you did the right thing.