Neighbour keeps leaving their cat alone for over a week

[Heatherland77]

I am absolutely fed up with a neighbour of mine who keeps going away and leaving his cat alone with just a bowl of biscuits, sometimes for longer than a week. I have previously helped him out and checked on the cat but he's now just taking the piss.
The cat is a bit dim. She hangs around howling and is constantly getting under my feet whenever I come out of my front door. She steals my cats' food any chance she gets. One of my cats has thyroid medication on their food and this could kill a healthy cat. I have previously warned my neighbour about this problem.
My neighbour is now away from home more and more and this cat is becoming a real issue. She's becoming aggressive and territorial, pooing in my garden and fighting my younger cat, to the point that he doesn't want to go out because it's just hassle for him. When he does go out, this dim cat will sniff him and then swipe him.
My neighbour texted me the day before going away for a week's holiday, asking if I could 'just pop my head in' to see if his cat was okay/had enough food.
I said no.
The reason is that I thought asking me the day before he goes away was taking the piss!
I have previously spoken to him about using the local cattery and that he'd need to book a few months in advance to get a place.
He managed to book a holiday months in advance so why not a cattery?!?!
Plus, the RSPCA strongly advises that a cat should not be left alone longer than 24 hours. Cats do get lonely. I have said all of this to him and he ignores it.
I'm at a loss as to what to do, as this neighbour is clearly going to carry on doing what he wants. I think it's selfish and irresponsible. He also has a dog who he takes everywhere and is treated like royalty. I feel sorry for this cat who is clearly pissed off with this bum deal.
Can I contact the RSPCA and get advice from them?

When you see the cat- box it, take it to the RSPCA and tell them it’s been abandoned

If your neighbour can afford all these holidays maybe he needs to cut back on one or two a year and pay for a professional cat sitter/cattery.

It depends a bit on how much he is away. I would probably just feed the cat if I was you but I realise it is a bit tricky if you have your own cats. I’m slightly surprised the cat hasn’t rehomed himself. People seem to love feeding random cats.

This, hungry, scared, teratorily insecure and self defending. Not dim, being a cat!

I think it would be kinder to take the cat to a local shelter and let them know it has been abandoned. Then if it’s microchipped he will have to surrender it or pay for it to be released. If he chooses the latter then he will think twice before abandoning the poor kitty again. If it’s surrendered, it has a chance of being adopted by someone who looks after it.

Do let the RSPCA know you're leaving deadly cat food out for any cat in the area that happens to come around. This hasn't put you in my good books to say the least.

I've rescued some neglected cats and this isn't even close. It was difficult enough to get them out when a cat was laying half dead in my shed. Please don't waste their valuable time.

It's not an ideal situation but the cat is fine. The neighbour isn't neglectful as he's asking you to check on his cat when he's away. You obviously don't want it pooing in your garden, I suspect that's the reason you said no to your neighbour.

@Catnipcupcakes , thank goodness for kind, compassionate people like you. Sounds like Minka eventually 'found' an owner she deserved.

The shelters are full to the brim and there are strays everywhere. This is an incredibly cruel suggestion to make for the cat, I can't believe anyone would suggest it.

This cat has someone that looks out for it, even if it isn't ideal, it's enough, which is why it hasn't run off and become yet another stray.

I think the kind thing to do would be to check on the cat when the neighbour isn't there. Not difficult is it.

Just to clarify, I am not leaving any food out in my garden with medication on. All food for my two cats is in my house, upstairs now, behind pet gates so this neighbours cat can't steal their food.
What I am pissed off about is the frequent long weekends (4 days) and 8+ days holidays this neighbour takes where the cat is left with a big bowl of dry biscuits and some water. It has no social stimulation in that time and it is howling and being aggressive because it's stressed, bored, hungry and worried. It is not acceptable treatment of an animal.
If this neighbour can afford and plan nice holidays, own three nice cars etc, they can bloody well plan, organise and pay for a cattery, instead of whatsapping me the day before they're going to ask me to pop in to check on their cat!
They are selfish!

They are away a lot, for work and holidays. The cat is left alone 2-3 days out of 7 most weeks, longer if the neighbour goes on holiday

Did you call anyone for advice op? I know people on here on guilt tripping you into continuing to care for the cat, but I get where you’re coming from. I wouldn’t either, especially if i’m not friends with the neighbour.

I wouldn't bother with a letter either, I'd take it to the local cats protection/rspca and say you thinks it's been abandoned as it's hanging around your house.

🤣

We took in our cat in similar circumstances. Covered in ticks, owners and split up and moved.The ticks were eating him alive, he was so hungry.

What do you mean about the RSPCA advice being ridiculous then?

Nasty to call the poor cat "dim". Hes neglected and being abused. Take him to your local charity and say you found him abandoned, or give me the address and i'll pick him up and take him.

They sound like horrible, selfish people. Take the cat to a charity, protect him and your cats, thats the best you can do. By the sounds of it they wouldnt even notice or care.

‘Dim cat’ your attitude towards the poor thing doesn’t fill me with much hope either.

Take it to a rescue and say it’s neglected and without a home or rehome it and say nothing.

The cat is getting territorial because of the neglect it is suffering.

Honestly I would feed the cat and make sure he has water. Yes your neighbours are arseholes, but the cat doesn't deserve to starve and feel stressed. Please think of the cat ❤️

Rspca are absolutely useless they won't do a thing. People have been reporting abandoned neglected starving horses and they do nothing, well know for it

Take it to a rescue and say it’s owner has abandoned it

it’s so sad, poor thing

Wow you won’t look after the cat just to prove a point to your neighbour, the poor thing just sounds like it was feeding and some warmth and affection, you don’t sound like an animal lover

You don't sound very nice to be honest. I know the neighbour has annoyed you but you know it's not the cats fault. Why call her dim and be mean about her. I wouldn't want you looking after my cat.

He should buy a week cat feeder. You can get them that open up one flap each day. He should also be leaving out several bowls of dry cat kibble and water. Report this horrible irresponsible man to the RSPCA. I hope he gets a fine and his cat taken away from him.

For goodness sake, I have two amazing cats of my own already. One is 20, the other is 2. They have both been attacked by this cat and the elderly one could die from a wound. It's not that I don't care, it's that I cannot have this cat in my house. I pay for my cats to go into a proper cattery if I ever go away, which is not excessive. I never leave them longer than 24 hours as advised by the RSPCA. Some of the comments on here prove that people haven't read my first post! It is taking the piss owning a cat if you aren't going to be around to actually bloody well look after it properly.

My elder DS took on a Bengal that was the victim of his owners marriage breaking up and neither of them wanting the cat. My DS offered to home him and really loves him. He's great with people. The Bengal won't tolerate other cats though and can be aggressive to other cats. He is very territorial and if another cat comes into his yard he will attack it.