Help! Neighbour trying to steal my cat!!

Frugalista

Hi guys. Was surprised to see this thread pop back up again!

I originally posted back in November last year. As the weather turned colder the cats were staying in more and more, so (when the "prodigal" cat came home) we decided not to let them out again. This wasn't too difficult as they both hate getting wet or cold - and once the snow came they really didn't want to go out that much.

They have a big, squashy, fleece bed by the side of our log-burner and spent (what seemed like) 22 out of 24 hours a day asleep in that :rolleyes:. The rest of the time was spent madly racing around upstairs; playing chase (bouncing off the walls and furniture in the process); having very noisy wrestling bouts and hissy fights; yowling through the bannisters and generally terrorising my dogs :rotfl:.

As the months went by and the weather got a little warmer, they would spend hours in the study with OH. They would lie on a cushion in the window (favourite spot on sunny days) or in an igloo on one of the shelves. Our "wanderer" (always the most demanding of the two) loved to wait until OH went to get a drink, or go to the loo and then get on his desk and flick all his pens, glasses, coins, etc, onto the floor :rotfl:. He would also shred up any writing pads or letters within minutes (not good!), walk across, or lay on, the keyboard (sent a couple of e-mails that way!!) and attack the angle-poise lamp :eek:!! He also insisted on lying across OH's arms whilst he was trying to type/work. The funniest thing was when OH was on the phone talking to his boss - the cat thought OH was talking to him, so kept answering in a very loud Siamese yowl .

By about the end of April the cats were becoming stir crazy and quite destructive. Bear in mind they had aways had free rein for years. Also, the weather was getting hotter and we needed to open windows and doors. So, we decided to let them out again. They both now choose to spend a lot of time indoors - but know we will let them out if they ask. In fact, our "wanderer" will often spend all day asleep in the study and has to be woken up for his dinner. He's in more than his "stay-at-home" brother :T!

And the Neighbour? She flagged me down one day as I drove past her place, about 6 weeks ago. Asked how my boy was - I confess, I lied through my teeth :whistle:when I told her he "had been very ill with digestive troubles and will probably have to be on medication long term - so it's vitally important that he's home every day for his tablets".....:o

She told me that she and her husband had missed not having him around and so had gone out and bought two Siamese of their own (a male and a female) - and are planning to breed them :wall: !!! Her husband had even built a cat pen for them as she "didn't want them crossing the lane because of the tractors - it's such a worry" she said (obviously didn't matter about mine though :mad:) "Your cat is such a naughty, cheeky boy!" She also apologised (so quietly I almost missed it) for trying to take my cat!! "He is so lovely, we wanted to keep him - but our new boy is just like him - you must pop in sometime and meet them both :rolleyes:!!"

So, it appears, alls well that ends well (in this case, anyway). To the people who are still struggling with thieving neighbours - Good Luck and don't give up. Your cat is yours and no-body elses.

h007

glad it all seems to of worked out for you

i still dont believe the cheek of the woman but well it is not worth digging it up again lol

Cookhamite

Sounds like you sorted it and I love what you said to her...a little white lie never hurt anyone!!

remembered_nights

We're currently unintentional cat robbers :eek: Come back off holiday to find a gangly kitten has inserted itself into the household while the neighbour has been feeding our two... It hasn't got a collar, and when we put it out in the garden all day it just hung around meowing and didn't go home (where ever that is...)

Next step is the vets to see if it's micro-chipped. It's very friendly but we do feel bad that someone may be missing it - a collar and tag would be very helpful right now :rolleyes:

lowis

i am so glad things worked out....but i think your neighbour is a stupid, irresponsible idiot. why the heck is she breeding siamese? anyway you can put her off? tell her about the dangers the females face and the shortened life expectancy of a 'queen' cat? so many cats need homes...even siamese need rescuing http://siameserescue.org.uk/homeswanted.htm ...so we don't need any more kittens bred from amateurs who just like cats. ggggrrrr...sorry, rant over.

paddypaws101

I feel for you, and do not agree that this woman has any claim whatsoever on your cat. I think you should go ahead and get a solicitors letter spelling things out in great detail. When one of my neighbours persisted in feeding my cat ( who was on a special kidney diet at home ) I called the RSPCA for advice. They told me her actions would be considered cruelty to animals and visited her at home to have a firm word!
Meanwhile I would st about wooing him a little your self! Have you read any Vicky Halls books such as her Cat confidential? She explains that cats are often solitary creatures and feel crowded in multi cat households - even with litter mates - This is why they are easily tempted by catless households. This is no reflection on your 'parenting', more that cats are actually supremely selfish!! Make sure both cats have private space at home, cosy sleeping nooks or fleece beds- 2 of each - separate feeding bowls maybe and/or litter trays if they are used. Yes bribe him with tasty treats and special time alone with you without his brother! I also sing the praises of Feliway as a spray or plug in...to a cat it convinces them that their home is a wonderful safe place without threat.
Let us know how it all goes.

Bruno1812

I understand what you are going through completely! I am having the same problem with one of my cats too, guess what, he is also a pedigree!! However, the people trying to steal my cat now are annoyed that he is howling outside their house at night waking them up because he wants to come in. They have rung me and screamed down the phone at me whereas to start with they were the same telling me what a "lovely cat he is" and "how old is he?" "is he a pedigree" I told them he has a heart condition and could they please not feed him as he is overweight and it will damage his health but they wouldnt listen to me but now that he has become a "nuisance" they want me to stop him going round. I've told them all they can do is stop feeding him and to shoo him away but they wont. I also would love to know what i can legally do to get these people to leave my cat alone as if he gets any fatter he will die. I'm even thinking of re homing him which would kill me as he is my little angel but if it means he gets to live a healthy life away from these nutters i dont really have much choice.
Keeping him in stresses him out which also is bad for his heart but i have no choice at the moment, either keep him in or get abuse from these idiots who wont leave my poor boy alone!
People who are telling you to just let her have your cat obviously have never had a pet they love and care for. Why should you let this woman steal your cat? He is your cat, you love him, you are responsible for his well being and how can you look after him as well as you would like to if she is stealing him from you.
Good luck and let me know if you manage to find a solution and i will do the same. There are a lot of strange people in this world.

Artytarty

Bruno, could you have a word with your vet explaining the problem and maybe ask him/her to ring or write to your neighbour explaining the situation regarding your cats medical condition?
Arty.

RacyRed

Frugalista wrote: »

Hi guys. Was surprised to see this thread pop back up again!

I originally posted back in November last year. As the weather turned colder the cats were staying in more and more, so (when the "prodigal" cat came home) we decided not to let them out again. This wasn't too difficult as they both hate getting wet or cold - and once the snow came they really didn't want to go out that much.

They have a big, squashy, fleece bed by the side of our log-burner and spent (what seemed like) 22 out of 24 hours a day asleep in that :rolleyes:. The rest of the time was spent madly racing around upstairs; playing chase (bouncing off the walls and furniture in the process); having very noisy wrestling bouts and hissy fights; yowling through the bannisters and generally terrorising my dogs :rotfl:.

As the months went by and the weather got a little warmer, they would spend hours in the study with OH. They would lie on a cushion in the window (favourite spot on sunny days) or in an igloo on one of the shelves. Our "wanderer" (always the most demanding of the two) loved to wait until OH went to get a drink, or go to the loo and then get on his desk and flick all his pens, glasses, coins, etc, onto the floor :rotfl:. He would also shred up any writing pads or letters within minutes (not good!), walk across, or lay on, the keyboard (sent a couple of e-mails that way!!) and attack the angle-poise lamp :eek:!! He also insisted on lying across OH's arms whilst he was trying to type/work. The funniest thing was when OH was on the phone talking to his boss - the cat thought OH was talking to him, so kept answering in a very loud Siamese yowl .

By about the end of April the cats were becoming stir crazy and quite destructive. Bear in mind they had aways had free rein for years. Also, the weather was getting hotter and we needed to open windows and doors. So, we decided to let them out again. They both now choose to spend a lot of time indoors - but know we will let them out if they ask. In fact, our "wanderer" will often spend all day asleep in the study and has to be woken up for his dinner. He's in more than his "stay-at-home" brother :T!

And the Neighbour? She flagged me down one day as I drove past her place, about 6 weeks ago. Asked how my boy was - I confess, I lied through my teeth :whistle:when I told her he "had been very ill with digestive troubles and will probably have to be on medication long term - so it's vitally important that he's home every day for his tablets".....:o

She told me that she and her husband had missed not having him around and so had gone out and bought two Siamese of their own (a male and a female) - and are planning to breed them :wall: !!! Her husband had even built a cat pen for them as she "didn't want them crossing the lane because of the tractors - it's such a worry" she said (obviously didn't matter about mine though :mad:) "Your cat is such a naughty, cheeky boy!" She also apologised (so quietly I almost missed it) for trying to take my cat!! "He is so lovely, we wanted to keep him - but our new boy is just like him - you must pop in sometime and meet them both :rolleyes:!!"

So, it appears, alls well that ends well (in this case, anyway). To the people who are still struggling with thieving neighbours - Good Luck and don't give up. Your cat is yours and no-body elses.

Your cats sound lovely and your neighbour sounds very selfish!

I'm so glad to hear that the situation has been resolved.

Bruno1812

Hi Arty,
My vet has actually written a letter for me to give them which I have but they have ignored. My sister's a vet nurse and has also had a word which they have also ignored and all they could say was that they have 40 years experience with cats so they are right and doing nothing wrong. Might call RSPCA as advised by my vet as this is becoming cruelty to my cat and they are endangering his health.