Friend needs advice over cat being enticed away

[Daisybell1]

My good friend has a small shy rescue cat. He's got some health issues due to his bad start and so is on a special diet, is under vets care, is insured, jabbed etc.

However, it appears that a neighbour of hers is trying to entice the cat away from her home and into theirs. He's already been telling her how the cat needs worming/ de-fleaing/feeding and how her cat is always at their house as it's better cared for. She has since found a house door open with a bowl of wet cat food just inside.

It is getting increasingly difficult to entice the cat back because of the -and she's having to also deal with the after-effects of the cat's diet.

She's tried talking to the neighbour, has written too explaining the situation. Cat is now grounded in the hope that it will re-establish its territory at home, but still the neighbour persists.

She fears that she may have to re-home the cat to somewhere that understands his needs, rather than risk his health if she can't prevent him being fed elsewhere. But this thought is really upsetting her.

Is there anything else she can do?

[Daisybell1]

Oops, that should have said

"because of the cheap and nasty tasty wet food and she's also having to deal with..."

[mollymole]

She could go to the neighbour and tell them the cat is on a special diet, as instructed by the vet, who is monitoring the cat and that if they continue feeding the cat what they fecking like then they will report this to the vet and take advice as to whether the RSPCA should be involved as it could amount to animal cruelty. (Deliberate feeding of a cat a diet that is causing health defects, against the recommendation of a veterinarian)

[sashh]

I'd contact the RSPCA too. A visit might sccare them. Failing that the police - it is animal cruelty.

[EauRouge]

The RSPCA may or may not help, they are worth a go though. You could try the local PCSO as well. This might help. Good luck!

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

This happened to me last summer. Neighbour completely ignoring every word I said and enticing puss away.

Anyway, if cat is chipped then you can prove he is owned by your friend and you can prove he is hers. Cats don't have the same legal ownership as dogs as they are classed as being free to roam.

The only thing your friend can do if neighbour persists is contact the local police. They may send round some pcso's as they did in our case, to have a word with the neighbour.

Other than that there's nothing anyone can do unless you take civil action through the courts. Police etc won't deal with it.

Cats however, unfortunately, are attention whores and go where ever they think they'll get the best food, cuddles, attention etc. there is no loyalty with them.

You can't tell a cat where to go. But I hate neighbours who feed cats that have owners. I don't understand it. If a cat is looked after then you leave well alone IMO. Different if it's malnourished etc.

[Inyourhippyhat]

I would ask the RSPCA for advice and if no help is forthcoming, try the police (but they may not see it as within their remit). Also, your friend could take other measures... She could plant catnip in her own garden and have one or two catnip mice in the house. Along the foot and top of the boundary (fence, wall or whatever) with the offending neigbour your friend could use some form of cat repellant (either chemical or organic if she is concerned about green issues) which might help keep the cat in your friend's garden.

Some suggestions here landscaping.about.com/od/pestcontrol/a/cat_repellents.htm

She could ask for a written statement from the vet on how precisely how the cat should be fed etc. and put a copy through the neighbour's door. If the cat should become ill, the vet could be asked for statement on how this might have happened (e.g. incorrect feeding).

Hope the issue gets resolved.

[EauRouge]

I've heard the 'free-roaming' cat thing before but I've seen several websites that say a cat is considered property under the 1968 Theft Act. Are there any legal types that can clear up the confusion?

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

They must be microchipped to prove ownership

[EauRouge]

Has the law been updated then? I can't find anything else about it.

[Daisybell1]

Thank you for all your advice, that's really helpful. Cat is chipped so ownership can be proved.

This is a small community which has its advantages and disadvantages - on the plus side I'm sure the vets would write a statement, and the pcso is a star so may be able to help.

The catnip/repellant idea is a great one too - I'll keep an eye out for some.

Thanks again for your help, she'll be very grateful!

[FairPlayPhyllis]

There's a long-running thread somewhere on MN called 'Catgate' where the OP has a similar problem. There will be ideas and advice on it.

[Daisybell1]

Thanks for the thread tip off, unfortunately things are no better.

They've spoken to the neighbour who has refused to stop feeding the cat

Hopefully the vet will be able to help (I have a feeling that the neighbour may be 'known' to them, if that makes sense). But if the vet's involvement doesn't work then my friend is thinking again about to having to rehome the cat

[cozietoesie]

That actually sounds as if the neighbour has 'problems'. Are there any issues with the neighbour other than the cat-enticing ?

[Daisybell1]

There are no social problems that I'm aware of (am still in shock after reading the catgate thread!) but the neighbour prides themselves on 'rescuing' animals. This cat is slim due to its health problems which I think is why it's attracted the neighbour's attention...

[Wolfiefan]

Wow! I think I would be totally unreasonable about this. Can you threaten to sue for payment of vet bills caused by neighbour feeding? Why do people think this is OK? My cat is skinny and has seen the vet who has put her on a special food. I would be LIVID if I found someone else feeding her.
FWiW don't feed ponies in a field either. I know of situations when this also causes problems. If it is not your pet NEVER feed it anything without owner's permission.
Rant over!

[cozietoesie]

Well I'm sorry Daisybell1 but this is really outside my experience so I'll have to leave you to wiser heads. The neighbour sounds as if they're not entirely well and if they've been spoken to (who were the 'they' in the 'they've spoken' by the way?) and are holding fast, it's difficult to know what to do without inflaming the situation.

I'm flabbergasted. Taking it further might cause things to blow up in some way and still wouldn't relieve your friend of the anxiety, for the next -say - 10 or 12 years if the neighbour was still there. She could have it as a house cat from now on but they don't all adapt well to that if they've been used to going out. On the other hand, moving owners can be traumatic for a cat and you don't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. She may have to I guess - if only secure the cat's health.

I don't know. I'm afraid I've not been helpful.