Advice needed re neighbour's cat

[AmandaCooper]

MIL's neighbour has an elderly cat which unfortunately is neglected. He doesn't feed it and he doesn't let it in the house. MIL couldn't bear to see it freezing and starving, particularly in the middle of winter, so she has put out food for it and provided a wooden pallet case for it to sleep in in her garden. This has continued for about 2 years despite her frequently going next door to remonstrate with the owner.

Recently the cat has deteriorated. It is terribly scrawny and although not obviously in pain it has had diarrhoea for a couple of weeks, so there is clearly something wrong. MIL is concerned not only about the neighbours cat but also her own cat as there is diarrhoea all over her lawn daily and she is worried about infection.

Initially the neighbour didn't want to know. MIL contacted the RSPCA but despite them promising several times to send someone out, so far they haven't. In the end it was agreed with the neighbour that we could take the cat to our vet to be put to sleep and MIL would pay. The vet spoke to the neighbour who confirmed his consent; we were all set to go when he suddenly revoked it. Without his consent the vet could not go ahead; she urged us to go back to the RSPCA. She also told MIL that the neighbour's cat is not her responsibility and she should not feed it.

This has coincided with MIL going away on holiday and DH and I are going round every day to feed and care for MIL's own cat. The neighbour's cat is hanging about looking skeletal and pitiful. It is heartbreaking to see. We couldn't help ourselves; we gave it a packet of food despite MIL's instruction not to. It seems unspeakably cruel to allow it to starve.

What should we do? Should we take it to a different vet and say it's a stray? Should we feed it? Is it worth worming it, in case it's just a parasite? Please help!

[alienbanana]

I'd take it to the vet, you can't leave it suffering like that.

[AmandaCooper]

Do you think we'll have to spin a tale about having tried to find the owner? I feel bad about taking it to be put down when it might just be a fairly minor ailment but I really don't have the money to spare for a random cat to have expensive tests and treatment.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Just remember this when you see advertisements from the RSPCA. This is typical of them.

[bootsycollins]

Poor bloody cat, what a cruel cruel neighbour. I'd catch the cat and take her to an animal shelter, do you only have RSPCA locally?

[ratbagcatbag]

I'd take it to a different vet, say you'd been feeding it as a stray etcetc, I'd then take body back, knock on neighbours door and say you found it like that. Cats not suffering anymore, owner (even though abysmal) knows his cats died.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Sounds like it is hyperthyroid.

I'd take it and treat it.

In fact if you pm'd me where it was I'd go round. I can't bear to hear of animals in pain.

Which county you in?

[AmandaCooper]

We're in West Yorks. Not sure about shelters locally - I wondered if that might be an option. Just been googling hyperthyroidism - it looks like diagnosis and treatment would be fairly expensive. It's a really sad situation. Ratbag yes I guess that's what we'll have to do.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Amanda, it's not mainly white, is it? with patches. Are you near a large park?

[AmandaCooper]

Yes and yes...

[Onesleeptillwembley]

will pm you.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

5 mins whilst I move my sorry carcass and get to pc.

[Italiangreyhound]

I am new to cat ownership and I don't know how the law works but as RSPCA is a charity I would be tempted to call them and say how you will be not supporting them in the future unless they help you solve this problem!

If cat does die what is to stop neighbour getting another and treating it equally badly!

Your mother in law is on hols so you could remain annoymous (I would imagine) as the complainer. I can't be sure of this but guess could replrt the cat annoymously, just saying you know it has been reported before and nothing done and if nothing is done now you will.... I don't know, report them, stop supporting them???

Would PDSA help? www.pdsa.org.uk/]] or Blue Cross? www.bluecross.org.uk/

[Italiangreyhound]

PDSA www.pdsa.org.uk/

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Couldn't it 'go missing'?

[AmandaCooper]

I guess tomorrow we'll call another vet, say it's a stray and ask their advice. I guess the RSPCA must be overstretched round here.

[AmandaCooper]

Well no sign of the cat today. I hope the RSPCA came for him. Thanks for the advice - particularly those who have pm'd me.