*CAT*astrophe. What to do?

Is there a local cattery you could use, where you could explain things to them, rather than leave it up to friends and neighbours?
It sounds very out of character, but I can appreciate you don’t want a repeat of that.

You could always ask that neighbour if she’d be willing to ‘risk’ it again?

If I were your neighbour it would definitely be a 'NO' from me. One strike and he is out in my book. Cats can spread some nasty diseases with their mouths and I would not want to be at risk.
Can you consider putting him in a boarding cattery for the duration of your stay?

I would find a good local cattery. Less worry about your neighbour and they will be experienced in handling an unpredictable cat.

In the long term it would be better to look at the reasons behind this behaviour. You were aware that he had some behavioural issues: do you have any information about what had happened to him in his previous life? Much will depend on how your neighbour feels about the incident and whether you can trust her not to respond with anger should the behaviour be repeated ( which I'm afraid at some point, it probably will)

My daughter once rescued a kitten from a home where the toddler was allowed to carry him around by his neck. When, understandably, the kitten struck out, the family threatened to drown him. He always had issues with unpredictability but with love and care became a lovely pet. It takes a great deal of understanding.

I think asking anyone to look after your pet for a month as a favour is above and beyond what's reasonable.
A professional cattery is your answer 🐱

I always took my cats to a reputable local cattery when we went on holiday. They were well cared for and we had peace of mind.

This might seem cheeky but you ve just been on holiday going again in June and again in September for long holidays is it really wise having a cat Poor chap doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going or who to connect with

I agree, a cattery is the only option.
I have only owned one cat and he was as daft as a brush and lived to 18. My friend has 4 cats and has fostered cats in the past and a few have been nasty, horrible creatures. She has had horrible scratches, bites and cuts from cats, loads of injections and infections. Afraid I would never put up with that.

I'm wondering why you got a cat if you enjoy your holidays, such long ones, regularly.

You'll certainly need to use the cattery option, I think.

MissA - my thoughts exactly

My dad rescued some beautiful kittens from a place he was working, and one was given to my mums friend, who adored him (the cat - not my dad!)

Aptly named tiger attacked the old lady next door to his new home and put her in hospital with her injuries.

A good cattery is your answer. It's asking too much to leave the poor creature at home for such long spells with only intermittent visits from a neighbour. It'll cost you but it's worth it.

All valid suggestions, thank you.
Just a bit of history to fill in the gaps - little horror!
He was abandoned by a family who moved away. Probably around 9 months old. No one wanted to re home him from the RSPCA after months of trying to "advertise" him.
He HATES other cats and the RSPCA advised not to leave him in a cattery. It would unsettle him.
He is as good as gold when he visits our vet, so she didn't flag up a behaviour issue, but he definitely has a side to him. Like Calipso says, it is the unpredictability.
Here's a bit of background info if you can enlarge it to read. I'll type it out if you can't.

So he probably thinks you've moved away when you leave him repeatedly for a month at a time. Poor puss.

Yes, I guess there is something in that, but we have been doing that for 18 months now without problems.

I would ignore what the RSPCA said and put him in a cattery while you're away.

well if he bit your neighbour then biting the vet may not necessarily have been done out of fear unless of course she frightened him which I think unlikely.

Perhaps taking Lucifer on, knowing that a cattery wasn't really an option for when you go away, wasn't a good idea. I suppose you'll have to ask your neighbour again or someone else, but do make them aware that he may bite without provocation.

I agree Aveline. It’s not fair to have a pet if your lifestyle includes frequent holidays. A rescued pet needs stability and routine. My rescue dog loves people but hates other dogs - therefore leaving her in kennels is not an option except in an emergency and we don’t take holidays. A small price to pay for the love she gives. I think this cat must be seriously confused and insecure.

Sorry, I sounded rather abrupt but I'm not overly keen on cats!

DD's is unpredictable and terrifies me.

It seems to be feet and legs he attacks? He swipes at DD's slippers when she sits in the lounge, just like it says he went for the feet of all the cattery staff.

well if he bit your neighbour then biting the vet may not necessarily have been done out of fear unless of course she frightened him which I think unlikely
She was about to cut his nuts off! 😆

How did he know?

6th sense?