Opinions please. Neighbors actions Re: Cat

catflea

Righto

About a week ago, I noticed that Daves name and address cylinder had disspeared. I have not yet got round to replacing it.

Last night I came home from work to find he had one of those key fobs you can write on around his neck saying "please can you call xxxxx to discuss your cats liking to our cats food" and the cylinder had magically reappeared.

The number in question belongs to our immediate next door neighbor (we are quite rural, so its pretty feasbile that they didn't realise we had a cat) I believe that they know he belongs to us because the name cyclinder re-appeared at exactly the same time.

What do you guys think the best way forwards is? Obviously once he is out of the house we can't control his actions and there is no way that he would stay in all day (and we are not keeping the windows closed over summer!!!)

EmptyPockets

I don't see why you should have to 'do' anything: if they have discovered that another cat has taken a liking to their own cats food, well then shouldn't they be taking measures to ensure no other cat has access to the food..?

catflea

That would be my thinking.

My old man says he's going to pop by and tell them to stop being stupid.

EmptyPockets

As cat owners themselves they should understand that cats are independant creatures. You can't control them like you can dogs (to a degree!). I wouldn't bother going round, or 'phoning them. If they're so concerned then they should either come to see you or sort it out for themselves. Surely they must be feeding their cat in a place which is accessable to other cats.

If your cat is actually entering their house through a catflap, then it is still up to them to fix the problem.

chez22

I think I would be tempted to write a message back to them on the key fob :rotfl:

I agree with EmptyPockets, there are plenty of ways they can stop or discourage your cat from entering their property. Muppets.

EmptyPockets

I would, though, be very careful about going round to tell them they're 'being stupid'... the last thing you'd want is to get home one day and find your own cat has mysteriously gone missing...

Fire_Fox

They need to purchase a magnet-triggered or chip-triggered cat flap. I'd be tempted to print out the details of such products and post it through the letterbox!

catflea

The husband is a solicitor and the wife a teacher, so they could definatly afford one!

BitterAndTwisted

Perhaps the OP of this thread is the neighbour of that other thread yesterday or the day before where a neighbour's cat is coming into their home through the cat-flap and stealing their cats' food.

I think the consensus was to have a chat with the neighbours and see if some sort of compromise could be reached. A difficult one because as we all know cats will go wherever it pleases them and most often exactly where they're not wanted but the important part really is to be seen to be taking it seriously, regardless of outcome for the sake of neighbourly-harmony.

catflea

I dont think so, the OP of that thread was in another part of the country

Im not sure what compromise there is to be made. If we let him out he will go where he pleases, regardless of what we tell him.....

BitterAndTwisted

Yes, I appreciate there's little you can do short of cat-proofing your garden so Dave can't pop round to the neighbours but that doesn't mean you can't give your neighbours every appearance of trying to resolve the situation even if you know you can't. But they might be able to by getting magnetic cat-flap. Even suggesting you make a modest contribution towards it might prevent the situation escalating into an unfriendly dispute. And no-one would want that, surely?