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Original poster

Nieghbours asked me to feed cats while they're on holiday, but I can't unlock their front door! Can't contact them! Help!

94 replies

franch · 05/06/2008 21:45

DH has tried door too - won't budge. They had friends house-sitting for them for the first few days, so I wonder if they've done something to it? Have texted neighbour but no response - I'm worried she's got no reception or her phone isn't working abroad.

I guess we could buy some dry catfood and pour it through the letterbox - they still wouldn't get any water though.

Neighbours will be back on Sun - cats were last fed yesterday ...

OP posts:
flibertyplus2 · 05/06/2008 23:13

I think you might be right about trying the police in case they've had a break-in.

You can always ask them to help you make sure the cats have water as well (sure there's some law about animals being allowed access to water?!?)

eenybeeny · 05/06/2008 23:19

I would try the police ASAP

also - a lot of people (formally myself included) lock their catflaps when they are away so the cats stay indoors. To keep them safe. So there is no guarantee that even if there is a catflap that they will be able to use it and then even if they can they wont necessarily be able to find food and water.

And also really it could be bolted from the inside and someone has broken in. Best to get it sorted ASAP. The police will agree you have done the right thing in calling them!

FluffyMummy123 · 05/06/2008 23:20

Message withdrawn

FluffyMummy123 · 05/06/2008 23:20

Message withdrawn

harpomarx · 05/06/2008 23:23

I would get one more person to try the lock first... my dad was unable to get into my flat and was going to call locksmith. I drove back 20 miles and opened the door without too much of a problem (the lock was a bit dodgy and needed a 'knack' to open it)

Original poster
franch · 05/06/2008 23:31

You'd have thought tho if the lock was that dodgy they'd have mentioned it? They never talked me through the keys or anything. The bottom of the door is clearly open and shifting - you can feel the top lock click open, but it really does seem like it's bolted on the inside.

Police station doesn't open till 10 so I'll see if I can get my next-door neighbour to give it a go at 9ish when we walk up to nursery together, then call the police after that.

OP posts:
harpomarx · 05/06/2008 23:34

at least you will have someone else to confirm they couldn't open the door, franch.

hope it works out.

QuintessentialShadows · 05/06/2008 23:41

Maybe the house sitter has locked the house from the inside and died had an accident in there?

QuintessentialShadows · 05/06/2008 23:41

Maybe the house sitter has locked the house from the inside and died had an accident in there?

QuintessentialShadows · 05/06/2008 23:41

Maybe the house sitter has locked the house from the inside and died had an accident in there?

Original poster
franch · 05/06/2008 23:41

Thanks harpo

OP posts:
Original poster
franch · 05/06/2008 23:42

Oh lord quint, just as I had stopped fretting and was winding down for bed ...

OP posts:
SecretSquirrelandMoroccoMole · 05/06/2008 23:43

I don't know much about cats, but aren't they meant to be self-sufficient? If they can get out they'll catch mice or small children to survive on.

[NB no small children were harmed in the making of this post]

TinkerbellesMum · 05/06/2008 23:49

If your local station is closed I am assuming it is a cop shop. Unless you are in the middle of nowhere there should still be a police station around that covers your area at night.

shybaby · 06/06/2008 00:21

Find some way of lowering an ice cube tray through the letterbox? cats have (a little) water.

Shove some dried food through beforehand.

Extreme but I cant think of anything else! (and of course, your neighbours may watch you curiously ).

If the cats have access to the catflap they will be fine anyway, have you tried putting some food out at the front and calling them?

FluffyMummy123 · 06/06/2008 08:53

Message withdrawn

ShinyPinkShoes · 06/06/2008 08:57

Have you actually tried ringing the doorbell just in case the friends are still there?

FluffyMummy123 · 06/06/2008 08:58

Message withdrawn

ShinyPinkShoes · 06/06/2008 08:59

lol

Hi Cod

FluffyMummy123 · 06/06/2008 09:00

Message withdrawn

ShinyPinkShoes · 06/06/2008 09:02

Mine is currently playing with her most annoying favourite and loudest toy!

eenybeeny · 06/06/2008 09:15

I have two cats and trust me they would be crap at looking after themselves. My boy cat Yang cant even work out where his food bowls are and he is 9 and they have been in the same place forever. Seriously he is a sweetheart but thick as anything.

batters · 06/06/2008 09:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lucykate · 06/06/2008 09:26

well our cat can manage to be self sufficient, hence the pizza incident i posted about earlier . he has been know to pinch steaks off bbq's too!

ladylush · 06/06/2008 09:34

If they have a catflap it doesn't mean it is open. Sometimes people lock it when they go away so that their cats don't run away. I think the best thing is to get the police to have a look at the front and back of the house incase of a break in. Then the police can check if their is a catflap and if it's accessible for you to post food through. If it is, you could leave loads since you won't be able to get back there easily. Maybe you could fill up a washing up bowl or something similar with water and leave it in the garden. If they have a garden tap that is. Or you could bring a bottle of water, then fill the container once you're in the garden. It was a bit silly of your friends to not give you the contact details of their hotel just in case their mobiles didn't work. Good luck

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