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?

Yes it does. But cats that are being fed and cared for by another neighbour would be much less discontent, not harassing the OP to the extent she has to post about it.
If he asked her with 24hrs notice and she said No what are the chances he found someone else?
I think it is you that is just being obtuse. He’s clearly neglectful but you seem intent on trying to prove he is cat owner of the year.

This is nonsense

He's not harassing the OP. How dramatic of you. Why does he have to give notice to her when she's been happy to check in on the cat? Most people would think like that.

If you were neglecting a cat you wouldn't ask a neighbour to check in on it. How do you explain that?

Also do you have proof that they didn't find someone in 24 hours? Just another assumption.

This is normal for a roaming cat to be left to it's own devices and checked in on when people go away. It's also normal for people to overfeed their cats and not give them the best diet in the world, and for cats to poo and fight with other cats.

The cat is sheltered, fed, watered, neutered, vet registered, checked up on, and taken care of. These are facts, everything else is speculation.

The reason she's posting is because she doesn't want the cat around her garden and her cats because of it's behaviour which is fine and also understandable. She can tell the neighbours that she needs to shoo the cat away because it fights with hers so she can't come round and check on food when they're away. She will keep an eye out if it's in trouble though.

This is how neighbours are supposed to interact with each other. They don't go claiming neglect, calling authorities, and stealing neighbours cats and driving out to the middle of nowhere to dump it at the drop of a hat.

People like you are so irresponsible, egging people like the OP on to cause trouble for herself when you just assume the worst case without thinking it through.

Sod the letter! Report neighbour to the RSPCA or Cats Protection etc. He clearly can't be arsed with the poor cat and she sounds neglected imo. Makes me angry when I hear shit like this 🤬🤬🤬

Call RSPCA. This is classic neglect

I think there are two separate issues here. One is leaving the cat for a week without any new food or anyone checking on it. That does seem unreasonable. However lots of the rest of the issues about the cat's behaviour, stealing your cats food, fighting with your cats etc could happen with a much loved and well cared for cat - hard for an owner to control a cat's behaviour once it's left their house.

the human is thick cat is lonely

The cat has clearly decided you are a better bet than its rubbish, neglectful owner and is prepared to make your current cat's life intolerable so it will move out, leaving a cat-shaped vacancy in your home for it to fill. Clever cat!

If I were you I'd call the RSPCA. If that doesn't improve things for the cat, I'd capture it & take it to a cat rescue. Sounds like the owner doesn't care, doesn't deserve to have a cat, and it has a miserable life.

OP you are not in the wrong here, your neighbour is. As a cat owner myself, please report this!

Sounds like all your efforts are going to lead to the cat being put down as the most humane option. How on earth does he look after the dog? Because that takes a lot more responsibility?

Have you tried cats protection? They are better at acting on reports than the RSPCA. If you say it's a stray and it isn't chipped (now law, and they carry scanners), they will re-home it. Don't say anything to your neighbour, just say you haven't seen the cat. Look up cats protection and 'home town'. There are 2 ladies that run the one where I live, they are fabulous.

Poor cat, a bowl of biscuits which slugs crawl over at night! That's total neglect and needs to be reported. He will be so hungry, bless him. I can never understand people who get pets who don't look after them properly 😒

Report, report, report.

Going on holidays with no thoughts of an animal counting on anyone to chip in is just not ok. Poor cat!!!!

That's awful. I would definitely report it. We have a cat and would hate for her to be alone fir 24 hours let alone a week.

Poor cat 😢
All she needs is a good home. Cats Protection should give you good advice.
In the meantime maybe it's time for a firm chat with your neighbour about rehoming the cat. Both Cats Protection and the RSPCA are reputable organisations whom can help with that.

Lov..its not cats that are dim..

My goodness, why are you being so pedantic and argumentative with fellow posters? It's not useful behaviour at all. I have reported your comments above where you actually told someone to 'butt out'. That's plain rude. Please cease and desist unless you can show a constructive and useful viewpoint. Thank you.

You’re getting way too vexed about a situation that doesn’t affect you. Maybe you would do the same and that’s why you’re taking it so personally

Yes , I agree ……… he’s a rubbish owner . I would go and feed and water the cat twice a day though if I were you. My neighbours also go away a lot and I regularly do this , I’m incredibly busy but it takes minutes . It’s really not a big chore .
My neighbours are nothing like yours ….. they’re fantastic owners but the time involved is the same.
if you were going round to feed it regularly surely that would also prevent it bothering your cats so frequently . Yes it’s not your responsibility but does it really matter ? It’s for all the cats benefit and it doesn’t put you out a great deal. I don’t really see the relevance of short notice ……. You’ll be at home feeding yours presumably at the appropriate times presumably and it’s not as if there’s a lot of planning or preparation involved in putting some biscuits and fresh water down . Nothing good will come of calling the RSPCA . He doesn’t take advice and do you want the cat to be potentially removed with no idea of what it’s fate will be?

Please feed the poor cat. She won't understand. Then ring the RSPCA and Cat Protection.

Saying what the majority on this thread are probably thinking 😂

Do you truly believe your own post?

How the hell is the cat ‘dim’ for its behaviour when it’s quite clearly being physically and emotionally neglected? I honestly cannot believe you would even say that about the poor thing.

It’s a cat not a new born baby! It has access to indoor and outdoor space, enough food and water to keep it going until the owner returns and if it really fancy’s something different it will catch a nice juicy mouse/rat! Cats don’t need our constant fussing!! Stop trying to turn animals into baby’s! If you look at it and are really worried, put a few extra biscuits in the garden and a bowl of water, no massive drama! Honestly can’t believe people are suggesting you stress the poor thing out by trying to catch it, transport it, then stick it in some cage at a RSPCA centre to sit there indefinitely so it can be ‘properly’ cared for! Cats like to roam, some like a bit of fuss (on their terms!) which it seems like what it’s after from you! And they will scavenge any food that looks tastier than what’s on their menu! Doesn’t mean they’re starving/neglected! What do you think about farm cats that’s main source of food will be mouse entrails?! How do the poor things survive?!? 😂 it’s an animal!

@SEMPA1234567 the cat is a domesticated pet that relies on someone to look after it. You are confusing farm cats that are feral/semi feral, and raised to care for themselves to a certain extent. Why do so many people believe that a domesticated cat can look after itself? Many cats that are neglected sadly die.