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?

Funny isn't it.

Some people like to invite this sort of trouble on themselves, each to their own!

I’m talking from my own experience….in my adult life I’ve had a total of 8 ‘domesticated’ cats…all loved, provided with a warm home with plenty of food and water….ALL of them regularly brought me ‘treats’, half
eaten mice/rats/birds (as large as pigeons) and even the occasional rabbit! I have no doubt that if I had dropped down dead and their easy food source was removed they could have survived for a decent amount of time (if not indefinitely) by hunting for themselves. This animal has not been abandoned, it has access to a warm inside space and has been left with food and water. No cat is truly domesticated, no matter how much we love and pamper it. Many (if not the majority) of cats, hate catteries which is why many owners make the judgement call to leave them at home when they go away. Not neglectful, just a different way of doing things. Just like we have our own parenting styles, we all have our own way of looking after our animals, don’t immediately jump on the abuse bandwagon just because others don’t do things the same as you! The owner will be back in a few days, the cat won’t die!

They usually die long before 8, this one's live and kicking and the vet doesn't seem to have an issue with its owners.

Chip car flaps are good for only letting your cat in and out (obviously doesn't stop open window in summer entry).

My cat is very well fed, and loved up, I know for a fact he lets himself in other houses for attention and others for meals!

He's a liability but everyone loves him annoyingly! He's on a diet!
But they are smart enough to seak it out!

But I'd never impose on those neighbors my pet, my responsibility for sure!

No they do NOT die long before 8. That is ridiculous. All of our cats have lived to at least 16 or 17. We've had 10 cats over the last 45 years and they have all lived to a jolly decent age because we have absolutely respected them as the incredible animals they are. Our cats have no problem going into a cattery because they get nice food, a heated enclosure, cosy bedding and a view on to a field full of rabbits - cat bliss.
My current elderly cat is 20. That is testament to careful care, kindness and respect for a cats needs.

Report it to the RSPCA (SSPCA if in Scotland) and/or Cats Protection. This is animal neglect and cruelty. Poor cat.

You are quite right! Cats can live into their 20's. An 8 year old cat is still young. An 8 year old dog is considered old, unfortunately.

Outdoor cats average lifespan is 3-5 years old.

I'm not talking about your cats.
Go ahead and cause trouble, it's obvious you want to.

Cost of a week in a cattery is probably the same as his hols. Why has he got a cat if he doesn't want to look after her? Tell Cats Protection rather than the RSPCA - totally focused on cats, so more use in this instance.

The owner is back now and has been frosty with me and other neighbours after we went in and fed the poor cat. It's bowl was empty and the water was low. Two pouches of food at my cost (again) and a ton of treats to keep it full and in it's own house for the night instead of howling all night outside mine.

The cat will be ok if someone's looking in at least once or twice day .we leave our cat a week at a time I have a friend that comes in and feeds him twice a day he's got a cat flap so goes outside for the toilet. We put him in a cattery once and never again he was very stressed and lost weight cats are happier in their own home .Your neighbour needs to get a cat sitter in so she can be fed waterd regularly cat protection are a good charity and could help .to rehome if it comes to that .

@Floccy Are you a relative of the neighbour? I can't think of any other reason for your frankly perverse and antagonistic comments to the OP

Can't you just stop this nonsense now?

Completely untrue.

Someone should tell the cats

This is actually a fact about outdoor cats. There are lots of websites that say the same 2-5 years. I suppose a lot depends on where you live. I actually fell out with someone I knew as she lived near a ring road and had 4 cats run over. The last time I see her, her cat had lost his leg due to a car accident and she still let him out. Watching him cross the road was horrendous.

Glad your neighbour is back OP.

Same here! But just to say don’t bother replying to that poster - just an aggressive little pipsqueak type.

Aside from the ones that were killed on the road or one that was poisoned all our cats have lived until 15+. The oldest 2 were 21.

I have had 15 cats in total (including the family ones as a child and the ones we have now), one with an eye missing, one with 3 legs, one with a thyroid issue, one with diabetes. Even the ill ones made it to 15!

Definitely report your neighbours.

You sound weird. God help any cats you own/look after.

Cats only die at this age through accident or illness. Cats in the main live until 17 or 18. Where on earth did you get the idea they died young?