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The litter tray

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

Cat neglect?

6 replies

Stressedmummyof4 · 16/09/2025 22:29

I don’t own any cats, never have so seeking some advice.

a house around the corner from me has numerous cats I think 7+. There is a handful possibly 3 who are left outside consistently, they cry at the front door daily. I can hear them from round at my home. When I drive past they are visibly trying to get in the home.

They are constantly trying to get in my home also, when we walk down the street they spot you and run along at your back, when you open the door they are attempting to get in all the time. I like to have my kitchen patio doors open throughout the evening and always find them in my kitchen going through my bins. It’s not the first time I’ve caught them wandering into my sitting room. I now keep my door closed unless I’m in my kitchen.

Tonight I could hear noise coming from my wheelie bins whilst sitting at the table in the kitchen. It was dark outside so I hit a torch and closed my door behind me as I was worried it was mice or even a rat. I started shining the torch around the ground trying to see in behind the bins only for the lid to start opening slowly and out pops one of the cats heads. It was in the bin with the lid closed over. To me it must be hungry to do this.

but I don’t know if this is normal behaviour for cats as I have no experience of them, I also have cat fur allergy so wouldn’t touch them. It’s not triggering my allergy as I usually just chase them by stamping my foot on the floor but I am concerned that they’re not being fed or looked after properly.

is this normal cat behaviour? There’s a mix of males and females and I think they breed then the males are put outside, they have a litter some get sold then the males are allowed back in the home.

whilst I’m not a cat lover I’d hate to think these wee pets are not being cared for but I could completely be wrong. Any advice is grateful. Many thanks!

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 16/09/2025 22:33

I have three cats.

they have a cat flap so can go between inside my house and outside my house at any time.

they are fucking constantly trying to get into next door because she cuddles them.

one of them goes dumpster diving on a regular bloody basis abd brings back bits of chicken that she gets from god knows where.

all cats are good at convincing humans they have not been fed for five days and are starving to death.

more seriously, if they’ve got water outside and they’re not obviously thin they are probably fine.

Stressedmummyof4 · 16/09/2025 22:36

Octavia64 · 16/09/2025 22:33

I have three cats.

they have a cat flap so can go between inside my house and outside my house at any time.

they are fucking constantly trying to get into next door because she cuddles them.

one of them goes dumpster diving on a regular bloody basis abd brings back bits of chicken that she gets from god knows where.

all cats are good at convincing humans they have not been fed for five days and are starving to death.

more seriously, if they’ve got water outside and they’re not obviously thin they are probably fine.

Thank you, I honestly couldn’t say if they have water but reading your reply makes me think they’re just being normal cats. It’s a relief as I say I hate to think they’re not being looked after properly but as I don’t have any I wasn’t sure. Thanks for taking the time to answer, feel better now!

OP posts:
Esgaroth · 16/09/2025 22:37

The cats might have a cat flap at the back but prefer the door being opened - cats can be silly this way. They also might like visiting neighbours and scavenging despite being fed. It's challenging but possible to keep a lot of cats happy in one house.

But if you have a sense that things aren't right, you equally could be interpreting the situation correctly. The most concerning thing is the breeding - do you have any evidence of that or is it pure speculation?

Stressedmummyof4 · 16/09/2025 22:40

Esgaroth · 16/09/2025 22:37

The cats might have a cat flap at the back but prefer the door being opened - cats can be silly this way. They also might like visiting neighbours and scavenging despite being fed. It's challenging but possible to keep a lot of cats happy in one house.

But if you have a sense that things aren't right, you equally could be interpreting the situation correctly. The most concerning thing is the breeding - do you have any evidence of that or is it pure speculation?

They are vocal about it in the community unfortunately. It seems to be the ‘norm’ and an easy money making opportunity sadly!

OP posts:
Esgaroth · 16/09/2025 22:43

Then I would be much less inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. People who own large numbers of un-neutered cats and breed from them for profit are not people who have the cats' wellbeing as their priority.

Even if they were well cared for otherwise, backyard breeding kittens is despicable behaviour imo.

Allergictoironing · 17/09/2025 07:30

Not positive, but I think there's a law regarding the number of cats being bred by an owner or the number of litters bred per year before they are considered a breeder and must be licensed by the local council.

There's also basic animal welfare laws in the UK which include providing "appropriate suitable diet, environment, housing, and protection from pain, suffering, injury, or disease." Sounds like an anonymous call to the RSPCA or the local council may prove your neighbour is failing in his legal duties if the cats are shut out 24/7.

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