Neighbour keeps asking us to chase her cat out of our garden

[summershere78447]

Our neighbour has a rescue cat that was abused by its previous owner, so I completely understand why she’s protective of it.

However, around 80% of the time we’re in our garden, she’ll call over the fence asking us to shoo the cat out if it’s wandered in. When I say shoo, I don’t just mean a little shoo as she’s a friendly cat and not frightened by us at all. It therefore ends up a big performance essentially chasing the cat out of the garden.

Yesterday it was just lying quietly in the sun while I was outside playing with my one-year-old and stepdaughter. It wasn’t bothering anyone, if anything it was keeping both of the kids happy but she was looking through the gap in the fence to see if it was there.

She knows us well and knows the cat is perfectly safe with us.

We’ve had our garden done this year, so understandably we’re spending much more time outside and making the most of the nice weather. We’d just like to be able to enjoy our own garden in peace. She’s also complained about us having barbecues in our own garden.

I’m happy to move the cat if it’s causing a problem, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect us to interrupt whatever we’re doing every time it wanders into our garden.

AIBU?

Tell her to buy a catio and stop spying on your garden as it is very inappropriate especially when you have young kids.

My thoughts exactly! No wonder the poor cat wants to be next door! She should never have been given a rescue cat!

Except did you miss the part where you said…and I QUOTE!!!!

’If you want to move the cat on humanely then spray it with water .’

But I think you’ll find that the RSPCA specifically say:

’squirt water near (not at!)’

They even added an ! for those, like you, who have difficulty understanding that it is cruel to spray a cat with water.

Just because you have cats doesn’t mean you know anything. Also, the CBA on tagging people 🫣🤣 you mean you won’t tag because we will all tell you why you are wrong and cruel.

If your neighbour is really that bothered about the whereabouts of her cat suggest that she should install a 'catio' in her back yard.
And stop making her problem yours.

Maybe squirt the neighbour when she yells over the fence

🤣

I will never understand cat owners, they are a strange breed! If she doesn't want her cat wandering she needs to cat proof her garden or keep the cat indoors. Like other pet owners do! It's a problem of her own doing!

It’s so weird. Has she said why she doesn’t want it in your garden? It’s not as if you’re going to abuse it! And having to chase it out is surely going to be more traumatic than a) leaving it be or b) picking it up

She’s being crazy. If asking her for more explanation for the above doesn’t work just plant lots of things that will obscure her view of your garden

Next time she spies through the fence have a water play fight with the kids & turn the hose on & accidently aim it at the hole in the fence.

🤣🤣🤣

It’s flattering the cat wants to spend time with you and the children. Most cats run a mile from small children.

Neighbour sounds a pita. Ignore her.

Our neighbours cat probably spends 95% of his time in our garden. He lounges on the deck, snoozes on the hot tub, sunbathes in the chairs, sits under the tree, curls up on top of the garage. What's the problem? If its not unsafe and not causing you any bother, why should you chase it out. Leave it alone or give it a stroke if it approaches but cats wander where they like.

I'd just say the cat is perfectly happy here and I won't make your rescue cat anxious by chasing it. The cat will return home when hungry.

Cat is gonna cat.

In fact, just seen your child is 1. Perfect opportunity if you want to do so, for the child to stroke the cat gently and with respect. Also, to speak to your child about it, its whiskers, tail, colouring, eyes, personality, if and why it purrs. Compare it to books with cats in. If you fancied getting a pet cat any time in the future, this is a good introduction.

Why chase the poor creature away? Maybe the cat is fed up of its overprotective owner and goes to neighbours for a break. The cat wouldn’t go there if it didn’t feel safe, relaxed and comfortable.

I thought you had an issue with the neighbour's cat coming into your garden and was going to tell you it's a cat and it goes where it wants.

My cat is a rescue who is petrified of cats and people. She happily goes and annoys our neighbours on both sides but probably not when their in the garden. She also actually has no issues with us picking her up.

If the cat loves being in your garden, I think you've just got to shrug at your neighbour and say cats will be cats. It doesn't seem anxious to me. The only anxious one is your neighbour! And shooing a cat probably will upset the poor thing. If she doesn't want the cat going in your garden then she needs to cat-proof hers. (It's a lie btw... We have a six foot fence and we put string on top and the cat got over. My neighbour tried string and lights to no avail!)

What does she think will happen ? That the cat might prefer you?
Does she think you are encouraging her cat to be at yours.

Let the cat decide where it wants to be.

I think I'd be inclined to make better friends with the cat, the get to the cuddling stage. After that, the next time your neighbour appears at the fence, have the cat cradled in one arm, while firing a stream of water at your weird neighbour! All while saying "I have absolutely no problem with the cat..."!!! 🤣🤣🤣

like I said before cat is probably relieved it’s not being smothered with love by its owner.

Put up six foot fencing that she can't see through. In the meanwhile I'd just reply, no thankyou, it's fine where it is, on repeat.

Sorry I forgot to add a key detail which I’m sure a few of you will find amusing. Said neighbour has a cat deterrent alarm (if anyone isn’t sure of what this is, its sensors that let off a high pitch sound when something goes past them). This has been installed to “keep other cats out”.
I am unsure the logic behind this as I’m very sure this is why she’s more attracted to our garden.

Anywho we won’t be spraying little kitty with any water, she is a really sweet cat and doing absolutely nothing wrong or annoying. We’ll enjoy her company and either pretend we haven’t heard or say directly we won’t be chasing her out.

Thank you for the responses, I can relax knowing I’m not just being a cow.

No she's no trouble. We don't want to scare her. We're busy. It's too hot to be chasing a cat about.

I'd be more inclined to spray peeping tom when she's peering through your fence! Is there anything you can put there to stop her.

Does she think the cat deterrent isn't relevant to her own cat?! She sounds a little bit bonkers if you ask me! Poor puss, glad it's got an ally in you! ♥️