Neighbours leaving cat out while they go on holiday

No you’re not . I wouldn’t leave a cat out all the time . When we had cats , a neighbour would come in twice a day to feed them. I do the same for two of my neighbours when they’re away .

I've had a wild cat , which I couldn't tempt indoors .
I'd feed him , but couldn't touch him .
I made a very cosy bed for my wild cat in the garage when the weather was cold and he used it .
I know because I startled him a couple of times .

Otherwise , all my cats have loved being indoors and that includes using a litter tray rather than go outside .

To me : your neighbours sound harsh .
I've known cats adopt other people - if life with them is nicer and maybe , that's what this cat will do .

My neighbours used to do this for a fortnight every Summer.
I would go round and feed them in the porch, they weren’t allowed in the house there over this time.They did have an open shed if it turned cold.There were two cats and seemed happy enough, better than stuck in a cattery I think.

I actually think it's cruel,if you choose to bring an animal into your life, you're taking responsibility for its life and health and you take that seriously!
Even if the poor cat finds food and water, what about warmth and shelter.
What if it's ill, injured etc.

They shouldn't have a cat if they're unable/unwilling to make proper provisions when they're away. That's what catteries are for .

Bloody people.
Too tight to pay for a cattery, or treat someone to at least go and check up on their pet.

It really riles me!

Cruelty. A phone call to RSPCA. Hopefully they will make sure the cat is fed and safe. A better outcome is that they rehome the cat.

You’re not overacting, if this is a cat that’s normally indoors I consider this to be cruel and a bit neglectful.

If they don’t wish to pay for a cattery then they could at least pay for someone to pop in twice a day to check and feed him/her.

This is disgraceful and irresponsible behaviour and they should not be allowed to keep a pet. I hate people like this. My previous cat was pampered and I would never have put her through this. Her stay at the cattery was booked before our holidays.

I agree Smiles and MissA. Dreadful people. I would report them to the RSPCA.

I am going away at the end of May for a month, my cat cannot go to a cattery because he hates other cats. I have organised a cat sitter to feed him, family to drop by, and because we live in a desirable resort, friends from London are also staying for a week. He will be happy. All it takes is bit of organisation.
Cats are quite clever at fending for themselves. We had one in France who waltzed back home after going missing for two weeks

My mum's cat went missing for six weeks, then strolled back in again, once mum had given his bed away, and had a good clean around where it was.
I know cats can fend for themselves, by why would you want a pet to?

Contact the RSPCA

I can remember a (generation Z) colleague asking me if I had a pet and when I answered in the negative she said:

"Dont you think that if you had a pet it would teach you to think of someone other than yourself and be less selfish"

I quickly told her that leaving some poor creature alone for 7/8 hours a day while I was out at work was cruel and that I had shown responsibility and unselfishness by not taking on a pet that I was not around to look after.

Nowadays making a remark like that would get you disciplined in the workplace for "bullying".

I agree, whilst not necessarily cruel (the cat may just choose another 'feeder') but it is certainly neglectful and irresponsible.

Why do people have pets if they can't be prepared to care for them all year round?

A pet is for life, and not just for when you're not on holiday!

I’ve been thinking about contacting the RSPCA but he would probably know it was me and he is a (rather difficult) close neighbour.

Well said biglouis
We used to have pets but they are a tie. We always left someone living in our house when we went away,( cat) and either kennels or grandparents (dog)
Tell your neighbours about
www.trustedhousesitters.com

Liz46

I’ve been thinking about contacting the RSPCA but he would probably know it was me and he is a (rather difficult) close neighbour.

Instead of calling him on here perhaps you should offer to help with the cat next time (or even now) when he goes away seeing as you live very near, just saying and why would you call the RSPCA if they took the cat off him which I doubt they would as the cat is being fed by a friend of his it could end up with no home and in a shelter permanently a lot of cats need homes.

Liz46

I’ve been thinking about contacting the RSPCA but he would probably know it was me and he is a (rather difficult) close neighbour.

I have found the RSPCA to be downright rude and unhelpful in the few dealings I've had with them, so maybe give that idea a miss, if your neighbour is quite unpleasant anyway.

More than one way to skin a cat, though (pardon my pun!)

We just have to think of another way

It seems really unkind to me. They should not have a cat if they can't make proper arrangements for it. I do hope he/she will be ok. Perhaps a kind neighbour would help.

I would just feed it myself. As long as only happened occasionally.

My cat always went to a cattery when I was away. I did not like it but I knew she was safe.

I feed 3 gorgeous cats for a couple who go on holiday a couple of times a year. I drive there, feed and water the cats and then sit down because one is rather needy and likes extra cuddles which he gets from me. It works out well for everybody.

That's absolutely shocking! Poor creature. I hope it runs away and finds a kinder more responsible home.
Re catteries- cats are in their individual runs Joseann no need for your cat to have anything to do with other cats.

I'd probably just feed the cat myself, too, unless it was being mistreated generally or was ailing.