Neighbours kitten

[MerryCheesemas]

I live on a main road and our back door go out onto a garden. The neighbours a few doors down from us have recently acquired a kitten. They do not have access to the rear of the house like we do. They have 5 young children so have a lot on, and don’t have a cat flap. The kitten has been allowed to roam freely since about 12 weeks old. We were convinced the poor thing would be run over by now but he has realised that our garden is a fun place to hang out and it smart enough to a oidthe road.
The kitten is often locked out of his own house all day as they don’t have a cat flap. We found him curled up on our frosty trampoline several days in a row during the last cold snap so we’ve put a cat shelter at the bottom of the garden so he has a dry warm place to sleep when locked out. He’s in there every day now from 8am to 4pm.

So my issue: I reckon the kitten is around 20 weeks old now. He’s not been castrated yet. I don’t know if the neighbours have any intention of getting him done and the last thing I want is an uncastrated male cat hanging around.
Should he have had the op by now? And how do I approach this with the neighbours? They’re not exactly neighbourly people (there’s lots of drug dealers coming and going) but they’re not unpleasant either. I just don’t trust them to act in this cats best interests.

[shewithnoname]

none of your business, its not your cat. if you dont want it in your garden do something about it!

you've put a cat shelter up... i'm assuming you are now also feeding him... i own cats and it boils my u know what when people feed other peoples cats.. leave them alone.

if you think they are being mistreated, report to the relevant authorities... but i can assure you cats are very hardy animals and you dont own them, they own you

[longtompot]

Yes, it should be done by now. Unneutered males have a tough life if they are living on the streets as they get in lots of fights.
Im not sure how you'd go about speaking to your neighbours if they are unfriendly. It sounds like they wouldn't care about their cat impregnating others and those families having to deal with the kittens and potential issues with their female cats (though they should also be done).
I wonder if there are any places offering discounts for neutering? Maybe see if they had a leaflet about it and post it through their door. They might think it's a flyer and take their cat in.

[Gimmemoreherbivore]

Please ignore @shewithnoname, you are doing the right thing looking out for this little fella. I agree a well-cared for cat does not need extra meals at neighbour's houses but chances are if they are chucking this poor boy out of the house for hours on end in December they’re not feeding him properly either. It’s boils my piss when people like your neighbours buy up a baby animal with no knowledge or intention of looking after them properly. You are really kind to provide a shelter for him. I’d contact cats protection for advice on approaching the subject of neutering. I think they offer a collection service to take the cat to the vet for neutering if the neighbour’s are amenable.

[CrackSpackle]

@Gimmemoreherbivore

Please ignore @shewithnoname, you are doing the right thing looking out for this little fella. I agree a well-cared for cat does not need extra meals at neighbour's houses but chances are if they are chucking this poor boy out of the house for hours on end in December they’re not feeding him properly either. It’s boils my piss when people like your neighbours buy up a baby animal with no knowledge or intention of looking after them properly. You are really kind to provide a shelter for him. I’d contact cats protection for advice on approaching the subject of neutering. I think they offer a collection service to take the cat to the vet for neutering if the neighbour’s are amenable.

100% this. His owners obviously don't give a toss. I'd have him neutered and chipped and take him in. He's destined for a life of scrapping with other cats, getting and transmitting FIV, and fathering unwanted kittens. Rescue him without a second thought.

[Paddleboarder]

I don't have a cat flap and I make sure my cats are inside when I'm not in the house for several hours. I would not dream of going to work during winter with either of them locked outside. If he is in the cat shelter every day from 8-4 I assume they make him go out while they are at work which is cruel in my opinion.

Many years ago, a little kitten kept turning up in our garage. It was sheltering there all the time. My mum found out who it belonged to and me and my friend took it there. The man just grabbed it and flung it inside with no care whatsoever. It was straight back in our garage and not long after that my mum gave it away to her friend. They never came looking.

[Jessforless]

I kind of can’t believe this post. I have two cats who I am still nervous to let out after almost a year. People who let out a kitten that young give no fucks. Ignore the rude PP.

Are you in a position to rehome this cat?

[arewedoneyet]

@Jessforless

I kind of can’t believe this post. I have two cats who I am still nervous to let out after almost a year. People who let out a kitten that young give no fucks. Ignore the rude PP.

Are you in a position to rehome this cat?

Agreed completely, would be lovely if the kitten found a more caring home and obviously current owners don't care about it

[Blankspace4]

This makes me so upset 🥺 poor thing, thank you for caring about him. I’d be inclined to bring him into your home so he’s safe, then knock on their door and calmly state your concerns, offering to look after him.

[hellsBells246]

@shewithnoname

none of your business, its not your cat. if you dont want it in your garden do something about it!

you've put a cat shelter up... i'm assuming you are now also feeding him... i own cats and it boils my u know what when people feed other peoples cats.. leave them alone.

if you think they are being mistreated, report to the relevant authorities... but i can assure you cats are very hardy animals and you dont own them, they own you

Absolute bollocks.

Op is concerned about the cats, (more concerned than its owners are 🙄)

[CatChant]

Thank you for putting up a shelter for the kitten, OP. This weather is far too cold and wet for him to be out for hours on end.

I doubt such feckless owners are going to care about neutering him or even to make sure he has enough to eat - and kittens need a lot of food.

He needs a proper home, poor mite. I bet these idiots just see him as a living toy.

[MerryCheesemas]

Thank you for all your responses. I would take him in in a heartbeat but our own cat is furious that this other one is hanging around in his territory. But I am a big softie and I cannot abide neglect of animals.
I may take him to the vet today for some advice. Will they neuter him without proof he’s mine?

[Nanofsix]

@MerryCheesemas

Thank you for all your responses. I would take him in in a heartbeat but our own cat is furious that this other one is hanging around in his territory. But I am a big softie and I cannot abide neglect of animals.
I may take him to the vet today for some advice. Will they neuter him without proof he’s mine?

If he's not chipped then maybe you could register him as yours and have him chipped yourself, you're then the registered keeper. His real 'owners' don't give a toss about him, so I'd go all out to keep him.
I also think your own cat would likely get used to him being around, given that he's a kitten still.

[margotrose]

If he's not chipped then you can claim he's yours but a decent vet will scan and check at the appointment.

But if he's been living outside since 12 weeks and isn't neutered it's probably safe to say he's never seen a vet in his life, poor soul.

[FormerlyPathologicallyHappy]

I’d say he was a stray youve loooked for owners over 7 days and cat nap him. Good owners don’t leave kittens out at 12 weeks.

Theyll chuck him after Xmas anyway when he’s not a kitten anymore.

[EmpressaurusOfCats]

If he’s about 20 weeks & roaming then he needs to be spayed ASAP.

It makes me wonder why these people even wanted a kitten if they’re treating him like that.

[ANightmareBeforeChristmas]

I would take him in in a heartbeat but our own cat is furious that this other one is hanging around in his territory.

Yours mightn't mind so much once the incomer has been castrated.

[Redburnett]

Pretend you think he is a stray and take him to your local cat rescue centre.

[MerryCheesemas]

Hiding from Storm Pia

[Missingmyusername]

Oh bless him.

Thank you for looking after your erm new cat ?! 🤦🏼‍♀️ oh dear. Do the neighbours miss him? Does he ever go back? I would take him to be neutered but won’t that mean he ends up being your cat? He will be registered to you etc. He probably isn’t microchipped. What would you say to the vet… I think I would ring and ask for advice.

I would probably speak to the neighbour first- possibly…..

[christmaspaws]

If you can get some straw, it works better than blankets which hold the cold
And if you really wanted to spoil him then a microwave snuggle pod

SnuggleSafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad for Pets with Fleece Cover amzn.eu/d/2wpgQqy?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[toastedcrumpetsrock]

My vet prefers 6 months old to neuter, although I did keep him in until he was older - now he's 3 he spends almost all his time outside by choice (he has a cat flap) perhaps this kittens house is just to busy for his liking and he prefers it outdoors.
Suggestions to basically claim he is yours and get him neutered could get you in trouble with this type of neighbour who may well be planning on kittens to sell if they have/ get a female. Also it isn't your cat so stealing it by feeding and taking to the vets would be morally wrong even if you do have his best interests at heart - it isn't your cat and isn't a stray.

[MerryCheesemas]

The neighbours assured us back in October he’d be neutered.
If I take him to our local vets to be scanned, if he has been chipped, I hope the vets would have a word with the owners.
I don’t want to steal anyone’s cat. My motivation is making sure the little guy is warm but I also want to protect my cat from an intact Tom.

[MrsSkylerWhite]

Gimmemoreherbivore · Yesterday 22:54
**
Please ignore @shewithnoname, you are doing the right thing looking out for this little fella. “

This. They clearly know little about caring for kittens.

[MerryCheesemas]

toastedcrumpet I absolutely agree with you. I don’t want to do anything morally wrong because he isn’t mine and he has a home.

[arewedoneyet]

@toastedcrumpetsrock

My vet prefers 6 months old to neuter, although I did keep him in until he was older - now he's 3 he spends almost all his time outside by choice (he has a cat flap) perhaps this kittens house is just to busy for his liking and he prefers it outdoors.
Suggestions to basically claim he is yours and get him neutered could get you in trouble with this type of neighbour who may well be planning on kittens to sell if they have/ get a female. Also it isn't your cat so stealing it by feeding and taking to the vets would be morally wrong even if you do have his best interests at heart - it isn't your cat and isn't a stray.

I would take it slowly however if the welfare of the animal is in doubt for example visible condition deteriorates I don't think it's morally wrong just because it "belongs" to someone else.