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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / October 2004PROBLEM WITH NEIGHBOR
My neighbors cat has been coming to visit me for 5 years. Recently she had a bad case of untreated fleas and flea allergy that was resolved only when, eventually, he agreed to my taking her to the vets. Since then (except for the first day afterwards) he has not allowed her out. He is out for 8 hours a day (except weekends) and she has no cat or human company during that time if she is detained in his flat. Previously she spent most of each day outside or in with me. He has no cat flap and her only way of gaining access to the outside was by asking. There is plenty of greenspace and trees surrounding these houses for her to play, and the road is a housing estate one, not a major road. He told me (before I took her to the vet, that if she whines at the door he "shouts at her" and then she scurries away He appears to resent the fact that I took her to the vet, despite superficially being appreciative. Somehow he was forced into it by my persistance. His excuses for not taking her himself were fear of vets through past bad experiences, and fear of the potential costs) also common, but neither justify substanstial delay or inaction, and if it such a problem then either pet insurance or not keeping an animal at all, would be a moral imperative surely. I want to know whether a cat being left alone and kept in (she is surely asking to go out) is likely to be psychologically or physically (in health) harmed or suffering through this, and am I right in thinking the RSPCA would practically laugh at my concerns, as they seem to be so stretched in resources this would barely figure in their priorities. I also remain concerned that the owner in question (who previously kept an alsation who for years he never took for a walk) could now ensure that any further ill health that the cat suffers will not come to my attention, and will not be treated. A difficult situation. Can someone give an opinion please Why does this neighbor have a cat, anyway? > Why does this neighbor have a cat, anyway? Jesus but you are a mental giant. To: "Mary" crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com If you react so psychotically to newsgroup posts then you evidently react psychotically to events in the physical world as well. Have you been warned that this type of reaction would occur when you stopped taking medication? > To: "Mary" crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com > > If you react so psychotically to newsgroup posts then you evidently react psychotically to events in the physical world as well. Have you been warned that this type of reaction would occur when you stopped taking medication? Heh. You're a regular one-trick pony, aren't you? Don't you have anything better than mental illness/medication lames, ya twit? Huh, YA TWIT, HUH? lol crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com drools >You're a regular one-trick pony, >aren't you? 1) You need to stick your nose in the exchange that has nothing to do with you. 2) The rants I was responding to were the same..So, I responded in the same way. > crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com drools > >You're a regular one-trick pony, >aren't you? > > 1) You need to stick your nose in the exchange that has nothing to do with you. Oh. Okay! Which exchange that has nothing to do with me to I "need" to stick my nose in? Hmmm? I'll be happy to oblige. I aim to please. Just let me know. > 2) The rants I was responding to were the same..So, I responded in the same > way. Ahem. :) Is there a translator in the audience? >> crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com drools >> >You're a regular one-trick pony, >aren't you? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >Ahem. :) Is there a translator in the audience? Mary. This is becoming familiar and increasingly sad. I think we're shooting fish in a barrel again. We gotta stop that. Sherry > >> crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com drools > >> >You're a regular one-trick pony, >aren't you? [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > > Mary. This is becoming familiar and increasingly sad. I think we're shooting fish in a barrel again. We gotta stop that. > Sherry Aww, man. SHE started it. :) I'm not allowed to have any fun. That's a sad story. I think I would try to buy the cat from him. Make him an offer. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. > My neighbors cat has been coming to visit me for 5 years. Recently > she had a bad case of untreated fleas and flea allergy that was [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > she has no cat or human company during that time if she is detained in > his flat. Sounds to me like your neighbor previously neglected the cat and is now trying to do the right thing by keeping her safe inside. It also sounds like you have gotten attached to this cat, which is sweet. As for the rest, I can't say. >I want to know whether a cat being left alone and kept in (she is >surely asking to go out) is likely to be psychologically or >physically (in health) harmed or suffering through this, and am I >right in thinking the RSPCA would practically laugh at my concerns Here in Los Angeles, California it is illegal to leave a pet alone for over 13 hours. I think that is the number but am not sure. The RSPCA would laugh at your concerns. It is safer for them to be indoors instead of outdoors. Maybe you can give the guy some old cat toys that your cats don't use anymore? > >I want to know whether a cat being left alone and kept in (she is > >surely asking to go out) is likely to be psychologically or [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Here in Los Angeles, California it is illegal to leave a pet alone for over 13 > hours. I think that is the number but am not sure. Is it Ok to leave a pet without a human for 13+ hours if there is a companion pet? Or is one just twice as wrong for leaving 2 pets "alone" for 13+ hours? W >I want to know whether a cat being left alone and kept in (she is >surely asking to go out) is likely to be psychologically or [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >A difficult situation. Can someone give an opinion please Try to keep on good terms with the neighbor--you'll be able to get further with him. Are you home during the day? How about you tell him how you enjoy the cat's company, and ask if she can spend the day with you? Think he'd go for it? The sad fact is, unless the cat is being abused as defined by the law, and it sounds like she isn't, there's nothing you can do really. Except try to cultivate a friendly relationship with the neighbor, and worm your way into getting his trust enough to help that cat. Good luck. Sherry I really dont get it, it's his cat. People leave their pets alone all the time when they go to work, it's not mean or uncommon. I understand you have an attachment to his cat, so really I'd think the only thing you could do would be to try to convince him to sell or give the cat to you, but until then, it doesn't sound like he's doing anything wrong (with the exception of dealing with the flea problem, it was nice of you to take care of that for the kitty). > My neighbors cat has been coming to visit me for 5 years. Recently > she had a bad case of untreated fleas and flea allergy that was [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > A difficult situation. Can someone give an opinion please I would report it to the animal welfare organization that governs the animal cruelty laws in your area. Tell them what you have seen and are worried about the cat. They might send someone to investigate to see if the cat is indeed getting mistreated which sounds like it. The other option is talking to your neighbor into allowing you to take the cat. Good luck.  SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com > My neighbors cat has been coming to visit me for 5 years. Recently > she had a bad case of untreated fleas and flea allergy that was [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > A difficult situation. Can someone give an opinion please I don't quite understand what the big deal is. Here in the US, a fair majority of cat owners keep there kitties indoors 24/7, and are gone for more than 8 hours at a time. Who said that in LA(?) that a pet can't be left for more than 13 hours? Really? Cats? I mean, a lot of people leave cats together in the house for a weekend, with food and water and litter box. Not ideal, but it's not commonly a problem. My cats eat only canned food and one takes meds, so that obviously isn't an option for me currently, but it has been in the past, with other cats. Isn't ONE of the reasons many people get cats is because they CAN be left home alone a bit more than dogs (with indoor "facilities" of course!). Obviously, I would advocate having 2, for companionship, but I don't think this is cruelty to animals, just not perhaps understanding their social needs. Complaining to the RSPCA is undoubtedly different from any US organization, but here, if you complained that someone didn't let their cat outside, they'd be applauded! Let's face it, in the US, many neighbors don't even know that the people next door OWN a cat! Janet Boss http://bestfriendsdogobedience.com/ http://photos.yahoo.com/bestfriendsobedience >Isn't ONE of the reasons many people get cats is because they CAN be left >home [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Janet Boss I think the key factor is that the cat is alone with no other "cat companionship". This is JMO, but I think leaving a cat indoors alone day after day, with no companionship whatsoever does borderline on neglect. Having another cat, to me, would make a tremendous difference. Sherry > This is JMO, but I think leaving a cat indoors alone day after >day, with no companionship whatsoever does borderline on neglect. Having >another cat, to me, would make a tremendous difference. > >Sherry I don't disagree at all. But not necessarily "cruelty". Neglect is just as bad in many cases of course. I prefer to have a companion of the same species for everyone in the household, but I've also had single cats with a dog (or 2). They've all been good buddies. The times that I worried were when the dogs went with us and the cat had to stay at home. I always have someone here full time when I go out of town, so it's a moot point, but if I couldn't, having 2 kitties sure makes me feel better about their well being. Janet Boss http://bestfriendsdogobedience.com/ http://photos.yahoo.com/bestfriendsobedience I don't think you read the entire post from the OP. This neighbor has not only neglected the cat but also had a bad case of fleas which the neighbor didn't want to treat until the OP approached the person and forced the issue. Not giving vet treatment to an animal suffering is cruelty. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com >I don't quite understand what the big deal is. Here in the US, a fair >majority [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > http://bestfriendsdogobedience.com/ > http://photos.yahoo.com/bestfriendsobedience As far as I see, that's the ONLY neglect Leaving the cat home alone for eight hours a day is not neglect by any legal sense of the word. Yes, the cat should have been treated for fleas, but do you really think that any sort of legal action can be taken for not having done so? >I don't think you read the entire post from the OP. This neighbor has not >only neglected the cat but also had a bad case of fleas which the neighbor [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] >> http://bestfriendsdogobedience.com/ >> http://photos.yahoo.com/bestfriendsobedience Yes. As a matter of fact legal action can be taken if the area has anti-cruelty laws. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com > As far as I see, that's the ONLY neglect Leaving the cat home alone for > eight hours a day [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] >>> http://bestfriendsdogobedience.com/ >>> http://photos.yahoo.com/bestfriendsobedience >Yes. As a matter of fact legal action can be taken if the area has >anti-cruelty laws. No, keeping a cat indoors and allowing it to have fleas isn't sufficient grounds for legal action. Sherry show me anywhere in a legal statute where it is considered cruelty to allow a cat to have untreated fleas or be left alone indoors for 8 hours. i agree the fleas should have been dealt with, but that's not a situation where you'll find any relief from the legal system. > Yes. As a matter of fact legal action can be taken if the area has > anti-cruelty laws. [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] >>>> http://bestfriendsdogobedience.com/ >>>> http://photos.yahoo.com/bestfriendsobedience Thanks for the replies. I can see its no simple thing to find a solution, but I hadnt emphasised enough that this was a cat always used to being outdoors./ In fact, for years , winter and summer she was deposited outside in the mornings by my neighbor at about 6 am. Now, NO FREEDOM. I should point out that in the UK almost all cats spend a great deal of time outdoors, some die on the roads, but I think for most cats, outdoor access is desirable bearing in mind the advantages for qaulity of life. I know the animal well enough to predict that enforced detention will be stressful. The owner told me he shouts at her when she whinges to go out, thats one way to create a neurotic animal. Here there are gardens and trees and front lawns and plenty of other cats wandering around. For what its worth, I think cats should have some freedom unless their outdoor environment is dangerous and especially if they will be alone without human or animal company. I have seen a lot of selfish animal ownership, including neglect and cruelty, all too often people like the novelty but not the responsibility > Thanks for the replies. I can see its no simple thing to find a solution, but I hadnt emphasised enough that this was a cat always used to being outdoors./ In fact, for years , winter and summer she was deposited outside in the mornings by my neighbor at about 6 am. > Now, NO FREEDOM. I should point out that in the UK almost all cats spend a great deal of time outdoors, some die on the roads, but I think for most cats, outdoor access is desirable bearing in mind the advantages for qaulity of life. I know the animal well enough to predict that enforced detention will be stressful. The owner told me he shouts at her when she whinges to go out, thats one way to create a neurotic animal. Here there are gardens and trees and front lawns and plenty of other cats wandering around. For what its worth, I think cats should have some freedom unless their outdoor environment is dangerous and especially if they will be alone without human or animal company. I have seen a lot of selfish animal ownership, including neglect and cruelty, all too often people like the novelty but not the responsibility. You clearly are attached to this cat--it seems to me that you might be the one suffering most of all. I wonder if you couldn't persuade your neighbor that you could keep an eye on her if he would let her out? You could just bring it up in conversation, like, "I haven't seen kitty lately, is she okay?" >Thanks for the replies. I can see its no simple thing to find a >solution, but I hadnt emphasised enough that this was a cat always >used to being outdoors./ In fact, for years , winter and summer she >was deposited outside in the mornings by my neighbor at about 6 am. > Now, NO FREEDOM. I'm so sorry. It's clear that you care about this cat very much. It's a bit different here in the US, but probably not that different in that, the things that you & I consider to be "abuse" or "neglect" sometimes the law doesn't see that way. And so there's not much you can do legally. It's sad for the cat. Sherry AND I forgot to specify, this was a case of flea allergy according to the vets . She was covered in red bumps, and I mean covered...not just a few isolated ones. |
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