Woman sickened by neighbour's 'cruel' request while looking after her cat

23 October 2023 , 14:53

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A couple asked their neighbour to feed their cat while they're away and it's caused a stir (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

There are so many wonderful things about having a pet, but one of the more challenging aspects is what to do with your beloved animal when you are going away for a night or a longer trip. Sometimes, you'll be lucky enough to take them with you, but other times this won't be an option.

As such you'll likely ask a family member, friend, or neighbour to help out with your pet, looking after them for a few days. Some might expect to take an animal such as a cat or dog into their own home during this time, which is why one woman was left feeling a bit sickened when she learned of the 'cruel' plan her neighbour's had for their cat while they were away.

The unnamed woman has since turned to the internet for some advice, wondering if she should report her neighbours for their behaviour, or if she's overreacting. Explaining that her neighbour had asked her to look after their cat, took to Mumsnet to write: "Not really put out by this happy to help although don't have any pets of my own. Anyway, they've gone for a week and it transpired last night when they came to drop the food off that the cat will be outside the whole week and they want me to feed it outside? They don't have a cat flap and the cat has no access to the house."

She goes on to say that she was "too shocked" to say anything about this at the time, but when she then went to feed the cat the next night, amid the "awful weather" caused by Storm Babet, she found it "crying at the door of its home to be let in." The woman took pity on the poor thing and "coaxed" it into her house, but now she's not sure what to do.

People online were divided by this, with some thinking it wasn't that bad, but others branding it downright "awful". One person said: "It's not very nice but it's not reportable." Another wrote: "This is in no way fine for domestic cats. How awful, poor thing." While someone else posted: "That's rather s***ty pet ownership. Fortunately, cats are generally not 'owned' - they consent to live with humans they consider to be adequate servants. Feed the cat as requested. In your home is fine if the weather is sh***y. The cat may decide that you are a more adequate servant than the previous humans."

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Different users proclaimed that they were "appalled" by the neighbours doing this as it was "cruel", but a fifth replied: "It's not reportable in the slightest - loads of cats live outdoors or as barn/farm cats. I don't blame you for feeling sorry for the cat but it's not illegal or anything the RSPCA would be interested in."

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Courtney Pochin