Neighbour leaving young cat outside at night in this weather.

[AreolaGrande]

My neighbour (who is a feckless idiot) has an old cat who he leaves outside every night whatever the weather. Neighbour lives between his and partners house and when he is there (for 1-2 days at a time) the cat is outside. No cat flap. A rudimentary shelter with no blankets and a bowl of food (that gets eaten by other cats on street). The cat miaows loudly all night outside the door.

I've tried speaking to him about the older cat but he was unreceptive saying it was the cats preference.

He has now acquired a gorgeous kitten who is about 6 months old and he's doing the same to him, he's been outside all night every night this week and has been crying outside their front door every morning when I leave for work.

From what I can gather RSPCA won't do anything unless there is abject cruelty going on which I don't think they would classify this as.

Is there anything I can do? Talking to him won't change anything.

I even thought about "liberating" the older cat to a rescue last year but apparently (and surprisingly) he has him chipped. The older cat has adapted more to being outside and when I let him come into my house last year he wouldn't settle and was covered in fleas (I treated him but they came back in a few weeks)

I would take the little one in if I didn't work out of the house everyday.

Is there anything I can do?

Pic attached of him this morning trying to come with me 😻

Here he is.

Could you set up a warm little shelter in your garden? A box with some blankets? At least they would have somewhere warm to go if needed.

Oh this is heartbreaking. I’d do their flea treatment and let them come into your warm house tbh. If he isn’t home to let them in it’s the only thing you can do. You’re not taking them from him, but you can’t look on and see them freeze. Has the little one been neutered or there will be more problems?

Poor, poor cats. Your neighbour is a feckless bastard.

Can you take them in at night? Or give them access to a shed or garage?

Or put in your own cat flap so they have somewhere to shelter?

I’d be worried the kitten might freeze to death in this weather.

Don't put blankets out as they freeze and can lead to the cat dying from the cold. Straw in insulated boxes are best. You can make your own using Styrofoam boxes which you can then put inside an outdoor cat house. Amazon sells some. www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/how-to-make-stray-cat-shelter Also call Cats Protection for further advice for this situation.

I think leaving a pet outside in these temperatures is cruelty and I would contact the RSPCA.

I'm in the same position OP. New neighbour, cat out ALL the time even in torrential rain, crying at night. I broke a couple of weeks ago and put up a little shelter in a courtyard with a self heating blanket and am feeding twice daily, he's such a thin little thing. Indoors not an option as very poorly DH with limited mobility.

www.amazon.co.uk/PETKIT-Small-Outdoor-Sleeping-Courtyard/dp/B0919P4524/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1FWZD3KT3T0D6&keywords=cat+shelter&qid=1671092555&sprefix=cat+shetler%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I'm using this, he (? she, we're not sure) took to it straight away. I've got it off the ground and put some thick polystyrene under for extra insulation. Considering a better shelter but it was -5 here last night and he's fine this morning.

I don't even like cats!

Thanks all.

The little one has come into my house a few times but been spooked by (stupidly friendly) ddog. I don't think it would take much for him to adapt to her if it meant being warm at night so will continue to let him in when he approaches.

Can't afford to have a cat flap fitted.

Some good ideas for a shelter in my garden. Will look into that.

Neighbour also has a large young dog who is woefully underexercised and is confined to a small yard with a square of fake grass on the ground which is constantly covered in his poo. They shovel it up when it gets really bad. At least the dog gets to sleep inside I suppose 🤷‍♀️.

I've got 2 that sneak in via my cat flap, I've found them cuddled up on my sofa in the kitchen and they have been eating my 3 cats food. Can't stop them coming in as the cat flap is permanently open as my three would freak out if they couldn't go out now and again, though I have my 2 girls cuddling me and my boy looking longingly out of the window atm.

I don’t get why you’re hypothesising about what the RSPCA might say instead of actually calling them.

RSPCA wont necessarily do anything but I bet your local rescue would be interested. I’d still phone them.

Even my former feral rescue doesn’t want to go out at the minute.

He spends too much time outside sometimes. He has one of These with a couple of layers of vet bed and a self heating pad inside in layers.

@MollyWarlockLordVoldemort hope you don't mind me asking, is it good in your opinion? It's the one I'm considering (with the liner)

It is great, when I bought it my friend said ‘you’re mad Molly - he’ll never go in it’.

When it isn’t below freezing my cat sits in there for hours and hours, when I try to get him to come in he looks at me like I’m mad.

Obviously maintenance free, I brush the cobwebs off it now and then and wash the blankets a couple of times a year if I remember to.

It’s been really well used for three years. I do have other places he can go (outbuilding) but wanted somewhere really close to the house.

Thank you, sounds ideal, will get ordering!

If you do decide to make them a shelter use straw for warmth, not blankets as they freeze. Poor wee souls, being very young and old they are both at risk in these temperatures. I would call the rspca anyway.

Why do people get animals and then not look after them properly. Boils my piss. Thank you for caring OP (and others).

Yes yes to providing a shelter if you can. Polystyrene, cardboard (if you can keep it dry), straw. And food. Ridiculous that you have to but some people are feckless idiots and animals shouldn't suffer for it.

Just a wee update for you all.

I spoke to neighbour and said I was happy to look after the cat when he wasn't around. He said no as he wants to "train him to be an outdoor cat". I suggested that leaving a young cat outside all night in sub zero temperatures is not really an acceptable "training" strategy. He was unfazed.

Arsehole.

This sounds like a great and very kind idea.

Drives me mad. An animal has a life and needs to be cared for and respected. It's easy enough not to get a cat if you can't be arsed.

He look so cute. Could you perhaps try and provide a better shelter that's a bit warmer. I know it's not your job to, but if it were me I couldn't do nothing.

Take them in anyway and report neighbour, tosser.

My other neighbour (who is like the grandad of the street) has built a wee shelter and we've put straw in it.

I'll continue letting the cat into mine whenever arsehole neighbour isn't here as what he doesn't know can't hurt him 🤷‍♀️. Cat is the friendliest and cuddliest kitty I've ever met 😻. He just wants to be cosy and cuddled up next to someone.

Thank God for people like you and your other neighbour. It warms my heart.

Lovely update, thanks @AreolaGrande and glad he's OK. My little adoptee also doing well and letting me stroke him when I put food down, he's very easily spooked otherwise but did venture out of his shelter to sit and stare at me while I was getting his breakfast ready! His fur is gradually becoming less straw like too.

I think my arsehole next door would come out with similar nonsense, forgetting that the SAS would struggle in sub zero temperatures without food or shelter, let alone a little cat.

This is animal cruelty. Ring RSPCA and report him so the cat can be taken off him and looked after properly.