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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Neighbours kitten

94 replies

MerryCheesemas · 20/12/2023 21:48

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.

OP posts:
StBrides · 23/12/2023 16:49

MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 16:07

Another update: kitten has just strolled through my living room and jumped up onto the windowsill. Old boy cat watched him, but for once, didn’t hiss and spit.
He’s moving in, isn’t he? 😂

Yup.
Cat tax, please

EmpressaurusOfCats · 23/12/2023 16:55

MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 16:07

Another update: kitten has just strolled through my living room and jumped up onto the windowsill. Old boy cat watched him, but for once, didn’t hiss and spit.
He’s moving in, isn’t he? 😂

From everything you’ve said I’d be surprised if your neighbours even noticed.

Original poster
MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 17:00

I’m going to try and catch the neighbours now the schools have broken up, they’re likely to be around. I dont want to be accused of stealing their cat, even if it’s him instigating the moving in.

OP posts:
AltitudeCheck · 23/12/2023 17:11

With 5 kids home from school plus all the extra Xmas chaos I imagine he's after some peace and quiet (as well as the warmth and food he was already seeking).

If you keep providing a nicer environment he will obviously want to stay with you rather than going home, cats aren't stupid and they certainly aren't loyal!

Chances are if you take him in they'll replace him with another cute kitten at some point! It might be better to explain to them he seems to prefer a warm house / cat flap / quieter environment and give them the opportunity to up their game before you fully 'rescue' him

Original poster
MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 17:28

Initially I posted because I was wrangling with the issue of an entire male cat hanging around. I think I need to park that issue at the moment and focus on that fact he’s actively entering my house via the cat flap.
I agree @AltitudeCheck a chat to explain he’s coming into to my house and being upfront about that whilst explaining that we’re not encouraging him per se, but are not going to chuck back out a soaking wet cat.
We’ll see what happens after that.

OP posts:
FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 23/12/2023 17:42

MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 16:07

Another update: kitten has just strolled through my living room and jumped up onto the windowsill. Old boy cat watched him, but for once, didn’t hiss and spit.
He’s moving in, isn’t he? 😂

He is indeed.

I personally wouldn’t bother talking to them, they might not take care of him but they’ll not want you taking him in either because it implies they’re not taking care of him.

Dutch1e · 23/12/2023 17:52

Good update, I think your plan is very sensible

xxxJess123xxx · 23/12/2023 18:05

Is he still covered in fleas in your house?

Mygosh · 23/12/2023 18:27

Thank you helping this little cat. It doesn't sound like your neighbours really care. That is a very young age to put a cat outside, and continue to let him out without being neutered.

Personally I'd take the cat to a vet or ask cats protection if they can scan the cat for a microchip. If you don't feel like you could keep him, tell the cats protection he is a stray. How old is your resident cat? If young, he/she would probably tolerate another cat in the house, although it would take a few months to fully settle.

Come spring time that poor cat will be off looking for a female. He may survive, he may get injured or killed. The average life span of an outdoor cat is 2-5 years. I think he deserves better than that.

If you keep him, I doubt the family will be at all concerned. People like them should be banned from keeping pets.

Iamacatslave · 23/12/2023 19:12

You have a new cat for Christmas 😃

Longlazyday · 23/12/2023 19:35

Posting for the updates and more pics … please.

Original poster
MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 19:47

@xxxJess123xxx he didn’t stay for long, we put him in the kitchen which is flagged and has no soft furnishings. My cat is flead regularly but I’m reluctant to expose him (and me!) to a cat that has an infestation.

OP posts:
christmaspawpaws · 23/12/2023 20:05

I flea treat my not my cat. He turns up infested and I won't leave him like that. Nobody else seems to bother so I do it Sad

Original poster
MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 20:27

Where do you get the flea treatment from? Our vets won’t let us have any for a cat that’s not been seen by them

OP posts:
carly2803 · 23/12/2023 20:34

MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 20:27

Where do you get the flea treatment from? Our vets won’t let us have any for a cat that’s not been seen by them

pets at home or jolleys/ any pet shop?
better than nothing!

vet stuff is stronger i admit (i use that on my animals!) but as technically he isnt yours i would go the pet shop

christmaspawpaws · 23/12/2023 20:48

MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 20:27

Where do you get the flea treatment from? Our vets won’t let us have any for a cat that’s not been seen by them

Advantage, you can buy online. It works and it's not like the dodgy Bob Martin stuff!

xxxJess123xxx · 23/12/2023 20:53

Yes you definitely don’t want a flea infestation, I would keep him out personally as fleas are horrendous at the moment and would take months to go x

caringcarer · 23/12/2023 20:59

CatChant · 21/12/2023 12:29

Covered in fleas, tiny and left outside without food…OP, you are definitely not doing anything wrong by trying to make his life better.

Did you give him a flea tablet? It sounds like he has a miserable life and without your little cat shelter he'd be cold and wet too. In January we often have frost or snow and if they keep locking him out then I'd take him to a vet and get him spayed and then your cat would likely accept him. I'd let him in your house if it's cold but keep your cat in a different room ATM. Over time your cat would likely get used to this kitten.

caringcarer · 23/12/2023 21:08

My cats and dogs have Johnson's flea tablets every month I buy them online pet shop. I also give Frontline Plus every few months to cats on back of their necks. They have never had fleas so it must be working.

Ilovemyshed · 23/12/2023 21:27

MerryCheesemas · 20/12/2023 21:48

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.

Chances are that cat has no microchip. Rescue it, get it checked out, then rehome it.

StBrides · 24/12/2023 00:27

MerryCheesemas · 23/12/2023 20:27

Where do you get the flea treatment from? Our vets won’t let us have any for a cat that’s not been seen by them

The problem with not getting it from the vets is that fleas have, in recent years, developed a resistance to common otc flea treatments.

Avoid frontline.

porridgeisbae · 24/12/2023 00:33

I ended up with my bestie's neighbour's cat as he was just left outside crying in the rain repeatedly at about 4 months. But thankfully I don't live locally so we could hide having done it. The neighbour has schizophrenia or something, was in and out of hospital and the cat was left outside repeatedly when she was in hospital.

She got another one and that one quickly got run over :( So we were right to rescue Naughty.

Dillane · 24/12/2023 00:36

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 21:53

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

Good grief it is a good thing the Op is looking out for this cat and has provided him with shelter, would you rather he froze?

porridgeisbae · 24/12/2023 00:37

I wouldn't risk talking to the neighbours. I know from experience what druggie neighbours are like and how they respond to things.

If you don't feel you can hide him at yours, you could take him to a shelter. The neutering is one thing but he's not being looked after properly all round, left out in all weathers etc.

porridgeisbae · 24/12/2023 00:42

I get the frontline, the hardcore strength. I buy it online.

I'd like to see a pic of him but I suppose it might risk outing you to the neighbours:)

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