Neighbours leaving cat out while they go on holiday

Our cat is 15 yrs old and I wouldn't dream of leaving him on his own whilst we went on holiday for two weeks. I would never be able to relax and enjoy my time away as I'd be so worried about him. We go away regularly twice a year for two weeks and every time I book him into the same cattery for the holiday duration. Its certainly the lesser of two evils because at least I know that he's safe and well fed. He isn't best pleased with us when we get to pick him up. It costs quite a lot but I'm happy to pay it for peace of mind. He loves going out through our cat flap but increasingly does not venture beyond the garden boundary.

Yes, phone the R S P C A.

It’s cruel.

They shouldn’t have a cat . A rehiring centre could find it a living home. I’d report them for neglect .

horribly irresponsible..

We don’t have a cat as DH doesn’t like them. However, I’m always interested in how differently people look after their cats. Some posts on Facebook gardening sites have folks complaining about neighbours cats digging up their gardens and some seem to say that cats should not be allowed to roam, should be kept indoors, and controlled in the same way that dogs are. Is this perhaps a custom in some parts of the USA? Or is this a modern view of felines?

I bl***y well hope puss votes with its paws and finds another 'owner' who knows how to treat animals!

For our first cat we used a cattery when we travelled. That was a hassle as the cat hated the car but the cattery was nearly an hour away. A good and trusted place, but expensive on top of the distance. For second cat we started using the cattery again but then our neighbour offered to feed the cat and give fresh water twice a day. Cat was not allowed in the main house but in the room where we have the washer etc. Also the cat's bed, litter tray, separate space for food, ánd a cat flap. We all survived.

I rang the RSPCA for s similar scenario. I was told that they had much more serious things to deal with! The cats were left for a week without food or water.

Heartbreaking to hear so their holiday is more important than the well being of their cat I bet my bottom dollar the don’t have to scrimp about to find their food

I would still ring the RSPCA. I know they are very stretched at the moment with the number of cats and kittens being abandoned but they might be able to help. It might be worth trying the Cats Protection League too.

Some people shouldn't have animals. Our son (who lives at home) looks after ours when we go away and a full family holiday means we need a cattery. I wouldn't go away if the cats weren't provided for properly.

Sparklefizz thank you for your happy comment. We’re now retired and choose not to have a cat because we are renting and that means no pets. Also want to travel whilst we are able.

Catterygirl

Joseann thanks for explaining. We did have a couple disturbed by other cats. Had to put them in the quarantine area by themselves and cover the door to reduce the noise of nearby cats.

That sounds very accommodating and thoughtful. I guess the only way is to try for a couple of nights and see how it goes.
Fortunately we have enough visitors at home so he will be happy.

Can I say what lovely cat lovers you all are.
My experience of running a boarding cattery is you can’t be a soppy cat woman.
They require good care and that’s the priority. It can be compared to foster caring for children. You have to be very responsible and ready to let go when the owner arrived. We loved Cleopatra who stayed many times. Owners a UK judge and his wife a Euro MP. Loved Wacko Jacko many times and owner provided loads of Sheba. Happy days.

I'd consider that neglect. What would happen if the cat was ill or injured. Yes, a cat may find some mice/birds to feed on or scavage from other places but it will have no protection from hot/cold/wet weather. Absokute disgraceful pet owners.

When DD2 took her cat to the cattery in London, about 15 years ago, the next cage had 2 cats in it belonging to a well known singer/songwriter who had never come back for them after 6 months. Their care was still being paid for. Apparently, not only did the artist have an addiction for drugs and alcohol, but also for collecting cats.

You wonder,sometimes, why people have cats if they treat them so badly. All the cats we have had are treated like furry members of the family and we love them to bits. One of them, a stray ,lived to be in his 20 s and when he died we planted a little memorial garden for him. It is the absolute best part of the garden, beautiful. Daft, I know, but they reward you with love and affection.

For anyone wanting to get the RSPCA involved, I'd think again, they have an appalling record for swiftly bumping off animals they've 'rescued'.

Re Catteries, there are good, bad and moderate, like most things, so seek local advice. Our latest cat doesn't like other cats, but he's been to stay in Catteries, and no reported problems. I think they recognise they've been put in 'barracks', have to lump it for a while, and they are in individual pens or cubicles (NB Someone mentioned 'runs' -- not all Catteries have them, or possibly as an optional 'extra').

And yes, keeping them at home in familiar territory is best, but not everyone has trusted neighbours or nearby family/friends that can help out. That may be why there seems to have been a huge rise in numbers of cat-sitting services in the last year or two, but most are actually 'cat popping in and out' services?!

We have a Cat Protection Society here which has a policy not to euthanise animals but to rehome them. Unlike the RSPCA who have weekly euthanasia sessions with strays. My friend helps out there after leaving her job at the RSPCA because she couldn’t cope with their rate of euthanasia .

When we rescued our cat from the RSPCA, a call came in from someone wanting to offload a dog, but the receptionist point blank said no.
I know our two black cats from the SPA in France, (black is very unlucky there), were due to be euthanized the following day. So it does happen.

It's certainly not something I would consider doing and it's hard to believe that any cat owner would. However, my two beloved rescue cats - black & white brother and sister- have pet sitters here to look after them in their own home whilst we're away. They're a bit spoilt but I adore them and I can be away enjoying my holiday and know they're happy and comfortable and being well cared for.

I pop into my neighbours cats when they are on holiday, feed and clan their cat litter twice a day and her sister pops in for a few hours on her days off.
Could you volunteer to fee the cat for them? I understand the argument why should you.

I ve had cats all my life and I d never do that to them. Yes I ve left them before but I had someone coming into the house to feed them and had a cat flap so that I knew they d be able to get in and find warmth and comfort. I only have one cat now and he’s elderly and very fussy and on medication twice daily so he now goes to the cattery where I know they ll look after him and give him his medication in time and he gets plenty of love there. What your neighbours are doing is cruel sadly and they shouldn’t have a cat if that’s how they treat the poor thing

Not over reacting. They have effectively abandoned the poor thing.

Would they do that with a child? I'm inclined to think the worst.

I might suggest anonymously informing the RSPCA but they might just sniff you out and it could get nasty.

Awful people.

Yes, cats have a habit of "moving on" if conditions don't suit. Or they're greedy. Mister Lucy was a cat who - it turned out - had adopted 5 other households in the area. Then he came drifting back as if he was doing me a great big favour.

Swine!