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What would YOU do about this 'abandoned' cat?

36 replies

user1471867483 · 26/07/2026 17:22

Our neighbours moved four roads down from me at the end of May. Tenants moved in. They took their outdoor cat with them, but five times now, his cat has made his way back to our garden and lives and sleeps in our garden. We have texted his owner multiple times to make him aware/collect him, but he always shows indifference, though he has collected him four times in the last 7 weeks. We have been feeding/watering his cat each time he reappears, but he pounces on our own cat causing our cat to retreat inside and our cat gets nervous about going into his own garden. His owner has told me to (his cat) 'shoo him away' and 'don't feed him'. However, I cannot let his cat starve in our garden where he chooses to 'live'. I have been in contact with five animal charities and not one of them can step in to help. The RSPCA said, 'Unless the cat is injured or emaciated, we can't help and we can't tell you whether to feed a neighbour's cat or not'.

I texted the cat's owner once more to ask him to collect his cat and told him I am feeding him as it's the humane thing to do. I received this reply, "Good morning. We will collect him tomorrow. This be the last time we do so. Stop feeding my cat, you are inviting him to stay there and then complaining that he is a nuisance. I will reiterate that he is an outdoor cat and has a large territory and knows how to get back home".

I simply don't know what to do. He came to collect him again yesterday (for the last time like he said) and once again, his cat has travelled up to my back garden again and is staying put in our garden. What do I do? Shall I continue to feed him or not?

OP posts:
CertifiedClown · 26/07/2026 17:24

I agree with the cats owner.

The reason it keeps coming back is because you are feeding it! It's not your cat. Its not lost. Its 4 streets away. If it can come to you, it can go home too!

Simonjt · 26/07/2026 17:25

You are causing this situation by choosing to feed someone elses cat.

Potatocakewalk · 26/07/2026 17:26

Stop feeding the cat! You are both causing and encouraging this behaviour of the cat! I agree with the owner!

Beamur · 26/07/2026 17:27

Stop feeding the cat.
Probably because they haven't moved very far away it's easy for it to go 'home'
Keep an eye out for it and if it looks unwell or slimmer - text the owners. I'd keep putting out water though.

Purplecatshopaholic · 26/07/2026 17:27

I agree with the neighbour. Do not feed the cat. You are the one causing the issue by doing so. Sorry

TenderChicken · 26/07/2026 17:29

You are being utterly ridiculous. Stop feeding the cat.

tsmainsqueeze · 26/07/2026 17:29

The owner has been very reasonable in his response , surely you are aware that feeding the cat is keeping him there.

BotterMon · 26/07/2026 17:29

You have cats but don't seem to understand them? Stop feeding his cat. I'm not surprised he's getting pissed off with you.

Esmeraldathe3rd · 26/07/2026 17:29

Stop feeding the bloody cat. He clearly knows his way home.

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 17:29

Handed it over to a shelter.

Pearlstillsinging · 26/07/2026 17:30

Stop feeding the cat. He will go home to eat when he is hungry. You are the cause of the problem behaviour.

IaltagDhubh · 26/07/2026 17:31

Stop feeding the cat you plonker! If it’s causing issues with your own cat then maybe persuade it to go home with a water pistol.

hididdlyho · 26/07/2026 17:31

Agree, stop feeding him, cats aren't stupid and will happily 'do the rounds' getting at any houses that oblige. By all means leave out a dish of water given the hot weather, but no need to feed him when he's in walking distance of his own home.

CertifiedClown · 26/07/2026 17:32

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 17:29

Handed it over to a shelter.

Why??? It has an owner that wants it, its a cat. They wander. It will go home if she stops feeding it.

Why would you take a shelter place from a cat in genuine need when this cat has a home?

Crazy

historyismything82 · 26/07/2026 17:33

user1471867483 · 26/07/2026 17:22

Our neighbours moved four roads down from me at the end of May. Tenants moved in. They took their outdoor cat with them, but five times now, his cat has made his way back to our garden and lives and sleeps in our garden. We have texted his owner multiple times to make him aware/collect him, but he always shows indifference, though he has collected him four times in the last 7 weeks. We have been feeding/watering his cat each time he reappears, but he pounces on our own cat causing our cat to retreat inside and our cat gets nervous about going into his own garden. His owner has told me to (his cat) 'shoo him away' and 'don't feed him'. However, I cannot let his cat starve in our garden where he chooses to 'live'. I have been in contact with five animal charities and not one of them can step in to help. The RSPCA said, 'Unless the cat is injured or emaciated, we can't help and we can't tell you whether to feed a neighbour's cat or not'.

I texted the cat's owner once more to ask him to collect his cat and told him I am feeding him as it's the humane thing to do. I received this reply, "Good morning. We will collect him tomorrow. This be the last time we do so. Stop feeding my cat, you are inviting him to stay there and then complaining that he is a nuisance. I will reiterate that he is an outdoor cat and has a large territory and knows how to get back home".

I simply don't know what to do. He came to collect him again yesterday (for the last time like he said) and once again, his cat has travelled up to my back garden again and is staying put in our garden. What do I do? Shall I continue to feed him or not?

What a wally 🙄

SanFranBear · 26/07/2026 17:35

I mean, it's bloody obvious - I wouldn't be feeding him and encouraging him in any way, tenfold as he's upsetting my resident cat. The owner has been pretty blunt but hard agree - you are indeed causing the problem!

Miyagi99 · 26/07/2026 17:36

Stop feeding it! You are making it come back and not settle in the new place. You’d think as a cat owner you’d know better, I’d go bonkers.

amber763 · 26/07/2026 17:39

Hes asked you not to feed the cat. The cat keeps coming back because you are feeding it. Stop it!

Empress13 · 26/07/2026 17:41

Stop bloody feeding the cat !

ShrubLover · 26/07/2026 17:42

Is this a reverse?

Boreded · 26/07/2026 17:43

Stop feeding him…he will go home, he knows where he lives by now. If he is still there in several days then feed him…he won’t be though

Jux · 26/07/2026 17:48

STOP FEEDING IT.
Get a plant spray and spray it when you see it.
it’ll go home when it gets hungry.

I think someone’s doing exactly what you are with one of my cats. Just stop fgs.

LumpkinPumpkin · 26/07/2026 17:59

A pet cat is not going to starve themselves.
a) they’ll just go home and
b) there are plenty of rodents and small birds around this time of year
There is absolutely no reason for you to feed this cat. You have cause this.

One of our cats has abandoned us. He’s literally just moved into a farm 2 miles up the road. We’ve tried every tracker, collecting him regularly (when we can find him - he roams a very large area), shutting him in for weeks/months, changing his diet… literally everything you can think of. He’s perfectly happy and even loving when he’s here. He just prefers the feral lifestyle!

user1471867483 · 26/07/2026 18:48

Thank you for your replies. I'll definitely stop feeding him! My nearly 83 year old mum feels sorry for the cat, but I told her 'no more feeding him'. The abrupt text she received from the owner made her cry too 😢.

OP posts:
m00rfarm · 26/07/2026 18:50

I would not be surprised if the owner is crying with frustration. They have been pretty polite with you until now. Pretend you are the cat. You have a nice place to live, being fed and watered. Why go home - you can get everything you need at the new place! Stop feeding the cat - make his life unpleasant. Your cat can then go back to enjoying life.