Animals and dementia

[limberlost]

MIL was given a cat about 6 years ago. When she goes away usually to stay with BIL she has been told by him that it is alright to leave the cat on its own. It has an automatic litter tray, water fountain and dried food dispenser. However no-one is checking on it.
She left for BIL's a week ago. Usually we receive a call to tell us she is back. So far no call. This means the cat has been left for a week!
DH refuses to get involved as there is a somewhat tense relationship with BIL who always knows best.
If I tried to suggest things in the past he tended to agree or refuses to disagree with MIL. (keysafe, giving large sums of money away)
If I try to suggest things are not right she tells me she can do what she likes.
He says MIL likes the cat as it is company for her.

I feel it is cruelty and neglect to leave the cat without company for a week!

This is an ongoing situation happening a few times a year.
I also feel there there is an element of dementia on MIL's part as she can only see what is best for herself.

A week is a long time although we left cats home with people going in feeding them , I think you could suggest you look in on the cat but apart from that what else do you think should happen,

Is there enough food for the cat?

If the cat has shelter, food and water it will be fine without company, despite it not being an ideal way to look after a cat while you’re away. If it hasn’t I’d be bloody annoyed at both your mil, bil and husband for being cruel, selfish and pathetic.

It is cruel. Aside from the company issue, what would happen if the feeder stopped working? Water fountains need cleaning and topping up - preferably daily.
Is there any reason why she can't use a boarding cattery ?

Also the litter tray would be full up and rank after a week, which would be extremely distressful for the poor cat.

Do you know any of mil’s neighbours? Is there a teenager that might pop in for some pocket money?
what does she do with the cat when/if she visits you?

There are people who will come in to look after cats (or even tend to a feeding station in say a porch, so no need to come into the house). Cost us about £7 a day.

It is a house cat. She does not like people in the house. Reluctantly, after a back issue she agreed to a a support worker for shopping and cleaning for 2 hours a week.

In that case the cat needs to be in a kennel for anything more than a weehend