Please read. Very concerned about neighbours new kitten and urgent advice needed!

[CrazyCatLadies]

As a non cat owner, this is my first foray onto this particular part of MN. I didn't want the hyperbolic outrage of AIBU so I came here to get sensible and reasoned responses! Thanks.

Last weekend, the children next door proudly showed me their new kitten. It's a beautiful little thing.

They had just brought her home and told me she was 6 weeks old. First concern.

Then, this Saturday morning (and now 7 weeks old), she came into our garden through a gap in the hedge at around 9am. I took her home and told the neighbours she shouldn't be outside alone. I had woken the parents up by knocking as they were still in bed. They took her back and said the childen must have let her out and they'd speak to them. The children weren't outside at all.

But, last night, at 10pm, I was sitting in the garden and the kitten came into the garden again. None of them were in the garden with it and the children were in bed at that time.

My partner took her back round and explained that the kitten was far too young to be outside unsupervised and needed to be at least 4 months old, spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and settled into her new home before she was allowed outside unsupervised (sorry for any inaccuracies, we've never owned cats and this was a quick Google check!)

I have heard them in the garden with the kitten and talking to it and understand that this is already a much loved pet but I am very concerned about this kitten and its welfare.

I can't do nothing. Hopefully, the neighbours will have taken on board what my partner said and not let her out again but that obviously doesn't change the fact she was rehomed too early and I have no idea of the impact of that (but assuming both health and psychological implications?).

Aside from the cat specific issues around this, we have foxes and owls in our gardens and, from my garden she could get straight through a gate and down onto the road.

My gut feeling is that, if she does come into the garden again, I won't return her and will take her to the local vet to ask for advice. But I'm also not sure if that's appropriate or even legal!

Does anyone here have advice or a better solution. Thanks.

This
But maybe take to a vets a bit further away from your local one.
( Just in case they insist on your name ) but also maybe make it harder for owners to find.

A few days ago somone posted about a missing kitten (on another site) that had fallen out of a window.
They looked on the video footage and a fox had taken it within a couple of minutes.

@CrazyCatLadies Any update on whether you've managed to Educate your neighbours? And of course pics of the kitten would be nice 😀

What constitutes ‘decent ppl’ they clearly have no thought for the kittens safety or welfare, so not decent.
If you do cat nap, either rehome to friend or family or hand into a rescue outwith your area. I’ve done it with a dog in the past that was being neglected; went on to live a great life in The Highlands.

My MiL used to breed and 6 weeks is much too young for pretty much everything. Kittens should not be parted from Mum any earliar than 12 weeks, 16 at best. Young kitten's should not be outside at all let alone unupervised without vaccinations plus they are so small they can be seen as prey by Buzzards. Please do something about this, a pet can be loved even with owners who have no clue what they are doing. Either pop over with some info you have found yourself and just explain that you are worried about the kitten, if you can't get though to them call an animal charity, they can at least visit to check the house and kitten. With the RSPCA we had to have a house check and answer a million questions before they would let us adopt even a young adult cat.

I agree with all the above concerns. If they’re as decent as you say then they’d be pleased with your advice. If they can’t be bothered or acquired this kitten based on its cuteness and as a plaything for their kids and can’t be arsed to gaf about the poor creature’s welfare, then do not hesitate to follow advice suggested here. I would.