how should I go about this with my neighbor? (Raleigh: house, live)

[splitbanana2002]

I have a neighbor that moved across the street like 6 months ago. I don't really talk to him but I say hi to him whenever I see him. Well today I saw his cat and I fed it because I haven't seen my neighbor since sat/sun. It was starving and I let it in my house it was very skittish and scared. It kind of worries me because most cats would be scared but curious and this one immediately went and hid in any dark place it could find. It really wanted to be loved but would back away when I tried to pet it.As far as I know that cat has been outside the past few nights when its been really cold and we haven't seen anyone come and feed it. Whenever I see my neighbor again I plan on telling him I fed it but should I ask him about why its so skittish? I'm worried about it being abused.

[gkleoni1]

I would just call the ASPCA yourself b/c if they are the type of people who would starve an animal and leave them out in this weather they are not going to be the typle to accept your questions well. Do what you can to help the animal but also remember you have to keep yourself safe too. You could easily find yourself in a bad neighbor war situation if you are not careful.

[mkforu]

Well, the vigilante in me is coming out. Others on this board may offer some good advise. You could call the Humane Society if you are concerned, they may have experience and knowledge in how to deal with this sort of thing. The ASPCA recommends reporting abused animals but in this case it may just be the personality of the cat, but I certainly understand being concerned over this cat's behavior.

[splitbanana2002]

Originally Posted by mkforu

Well, the vigilante in me is coming out. Others on this board may offer some good advise. You could call the Humane Society if you are concerned, they may have experience and knowledge in how to deal with this sort of thing. The ASPCA recommends reporting abused animals but in this case it may just be the personality of the cat, but I certainly understand being concerned over this cat's behavior.

I really don't want to make my neighbor mad. I'm guessing the cat is a young adult based on size and for all I know he might have saved it from abuse. I'm just concerned that no one has come to feed it and it scarfed down all the food I gave it. I left some food and water outside for it as well. He could have asked me to feed it and take care of it. I have 2 cats and he knows that since they're always in his yard.

[ultraviolet*]

Hmm...This is almost how I got my first cat.

I lived in an apt. complex in Raleigh where there was this loving, friendly cat who would sit on the steps of the office and just greet everyone as they went by. She was super sweet, but she wasn't wearing any tags. So I went into the office, and asked whose cat it was. They said, "We don't know. But winter is coming, and if you take her in...we didn't see it."

So I took her in. I don't believe in "outdoor cats," so I kept her inside. I took her to the vet and got her checked out, and she was fine. About a week later there's this banging on my door and I open it to find a very large, very angry woman there yelling, "I want my cat back!" at me. I said, "You left her outside, and it didn't seem like anyone cared for her." She just kept yelling at me to give her the cat back, so I did. (She was bigger than me...)

About a week after that, I was coming home from work, and there's the cat sitting at the top of the stairs by my door, just waiting for me. When I went in, she let herself in like she owned the place, so I let her "visit." I went to go check my mail, and while I was there, a man approached me. He said...

"Are you the person who took my girlfriend's cat?" So I said, "Yes." And he said, "Well, you can have the cat. She won't go to my girlfriend any more and tries to scratch and bite and get away. You can have her!"

Now, if you had met this cat, you would know that she was the kindest sweetest thing you'd ever met, and I can't imagine her ever biting or scratching anyone. (She tried to bite me exactly ONCE in the 9 years I owned her, when she got into some mess and needed a bath. And even then, it was very much like a "DO NOT WANT" sort of gentle bite.) So because I cared for her, she knew and came to a "good" home!

So animals know. You must be a good person for the cat to want to come into your home. I can't advise you on what you can do, but sometimes a little kindness can go rewarded... At a minimum, maybe you can provide some bedding outdoors for the poor thing. It's so cold out there right now!!!

[seven of nine]

I would just feed it if you are inclined, if it comes around you know it needs food. Someone who abuses an animal is not someone you want to really deal with. God bless ya, kitty angel wings for you.

[CRock]

I would talk to the neighbor before I called the ASPCA or The Humane Society. I used to have a cool neighbor cat and he would come by in the evenings for his tuna treat. I would let him in the house, even though he got to know me he was always on guard and a bit skittish when he was in the house.

[Nina-in-Ashland]

Originally Posted by seven of nine

I would just feed it if you are inclined, if it comes around you know it needs food. Someone who abuses an animal is not someone you want to really deal with. God bless ya, kitty angel wings for you.

Well said! I wouldn't approach the neighbor, either. Bless you for helping the little guy out and giving him shelter and food. I've been thinking how awful it would be, with the weather lately, if a kitty or dog were left outside. My kitty was a rags-to-riches case, not at all cared for, an orphan left hungry, wet, cold and abandoned ... and she is the sweetest, most wonderful little girl. I think they know when you have rescued them. Good luck!

[CarolinaCruzes]

Are you sure this is his cat?

[jenn02674]

Normally I am one that says if there is any doubt whatsoever then call the authorities. But the big problem is that they are unlikely to do anything about it, honestly. Our laws are pretty slack.

Here are some questions for you:

1. Are you 100% sure that this is your neighbor's cat?
2. When you say the cat was starving, is he thin or does he just act starving? Most cats I know when they get hungry, they get really hungry so they do act like they are starving to death!
3. It is not unusual at all for a cat to be skittish and to hid in a new place. Unless you knew this cat to previously be very friendly and outgoing, that wouldn't concern me.
4. Are you absolutely sure that the neighbors haven't been around?

The neighbors could be taking excellent care of the cat. There really are a zillion very legit reasons why the cat came up to your house and acted the way it did. It could be that you just have been missing the neighbors. This time of year, I can't tell if my next door neighbor is home or not because we just aren't outside much nor are we doing as much coming and going. It could be just that the cat was let out for the day and it just got cold and wet today. It could be that they hired a pet sitter and they are the ones that aren't taking care of the cat.

My suggestion would be to either, just feed the cat yourself or talk to your neighbors. You could just start off with have you been out of town I think your cat got confused or something nonconfrontational like that.