Honestly. I didn’t read this
it’s like a thesis, and I’m not a fan of people talking to me like I’m a child.Don’t lie. Don’t steal cats. The end
New to Tattle Life? Click "Order Thread by Most Liked Posts" button below to get an idea of what the site is about:
it’s like a thesis, and I’m not a fan of people talking to me like I’m a child.Don’t lie. Don’t steal cats. The end
Reminds me of an old neighbour when I was I child. She was losing it and she used to lock our cat in her house 
she told us she would feed her tea and jam, or something along those lines. We would find her wandering in our garden looking for “her cat”!!! I was only 12 at the time and can’t really remember if she did it for days at a time or whatever, now I’m in my late 30s and I would flip my lid! But, cats have no loyalty. I have no advice, but I’m keen to hear an outcome of this! I used to look after my neighbours cats and feed them when they went away etc and it broke my heart when they moved away
she told us she would feed her tea and jam, or something along those lines. We would find her wandering in our garden looking for “her cat”!!! I was only 12 at the time and can’t really remember if she did it for days at a time or whatever, now I’m in my late 30s and I would flip my lid! But, cats have no loyalty. I have no advice, but I’m keen to hear an outcome of this! I used to look after my neighbours cats and feed them when they went away etc and it broke my heart when they moved away
Last edited:
I stole a cat once , but the owners had moved house and left her to fend for herself for 6 months. She had kindly people feeding her, but when i found out i took her home with me to live. Its a good job i did , she was riddled with worms and fleas. We had her for 10 years in the end. I think that was reasonable stealing. This story is out of order , the cats already got a perfectly good home. The old woman could adopt if she was that desperate.
Looking after an abandoned cat is definitely not stealing! I have no idea how people can do that
they don’t deserve cats.
Sounds like she’s holding him hostage, this may backfire but perhaps say to her if she’s going to steal him, you’ll transfer the chip to her at her cost and by default she is responsible for all costs, food and vet bills. I’m sure she won’t want that and the tell her to back off or your pursue her for theft. If she wants a cat, get one do not steal someone else’s!
I personally wouldn’t call that stealing I’d call that rescuing.
They had bought her for their children and she was treated like a toy and left outside all the time anyway. And thats before they dumped her. I had to get her used to our collie that we had at the time, but they got on great quickly. You are quite right they dont deserve any pets. Thank you both for telling me it wasnt stealing. I dont regret it. I do hope you find a solution x
Lying just enables the behaviour. She needs a reality check. You don’t steal other peoples’ pets. 
It isn't just little old ladies. When I first moved back here, I befriended an old chap who lives next door to my Mum. He had an allotment and on it an old knackered greenhouse. I went there one day as my mum said he had some cats there and I thought it was a bit odd as he had cats at home. I couldn't believe what I found. Masses of cats, no bedding, no water, filthy takeaway containers with dried cat food, millions of flies and maggots. It was like hell.
I rushed home to get clean plates, food and bottled water. I fed them all and then went to see the old man. He was in complete denial and this was reinforced because he told everyone he helped stray cats and everyone thought he was a hero. I spent a fortune on bedding and shelter from the rain. I bought loads of paper plates for their food. I went down twice a day, took them to the vets and when it got cold or they had a dental for example, of them stay with me and made the old man had the others until spring. He was a nightmare, he did nothing to make life better for them. In the summer it was nice for them, once I'd bought some big igloo dog houses which were waterproof, but I had to go twice a day because he believed that maggoty food should be eaten by them. He was completely blind to any health issues too.
I questioned him about the cats and initially he said they were all strays. None had chips, I got my vet to check and contacted rescues, vets etc who may know of people missing animals. This was around 13 years ago. Over the years the stories changed. He'd stolen these cats, cut off multiple collars etc. He was a b when they needed the vet, but I held them as they died and was called a murderer by him. I got the RSPCA involved, I spoke to them personally, then we both pretended we didn't know who called them. The old man was a bloody good actor and the RSPCA lady said she didn't have enough against him to remove them. Ironically, my help had strengthened his case. They were looked after properly, healthy, were registered at my name at the vet etc. I didn't want them to go with the RSPCA either, because most were pretty old.
So, I told him with the RSPCA lady present that I would continue to support him, but there were rules. The cats would permanently stay in our homes. If I said they needed the vet he would give me the money for any vet treatment and not scream at me down street as I took them to the vet. Various things like this. The RSPCA lady said she'd let him keep the cats for as long as I had the final say on their care and she would check every so often. The vet was also to be informed, basically as another way to put the fear of god in him. If the vet had concerns, he'd phone the RSPCA.
It wasn't perfect after that, but much, much better. He's down to 1 cat with him and 1 of the other cats he had, has lived with me for years now and although an old lady still runs like Usain Bolt after birds! For the last 5 or so years he's been really on the ball with potential health issues, which is an amazing change. I still check on his cat daily. She's mainly a house cat now, but won't use a tray, so he rings me when she's nipped out, so I can check on her and him!
It was so horrible being hard on him, but I had no choice. Whatever I said had no impact, it needed authority and the knowledge that there were consequences to his neglectful behaviour. He did love the cats, so telling him he couldn't be trusted with them and he was risking their health and safety was the only way.
Oh my god, that sounds horrific and traumatic. At least you uncovered the truth about the situation and you did everything you possibly could. Some people like to turn a blind eye. Was there a possibility that people knew he wasnt such a hero, but were unwilling to take on the responsibility that you did. That has required a lot of commitment from you hasnt it. Im glad there is people like you about who will put yourself out for innocent animals. x
Okay so I have a massive phobia of cats, I wouldn’t wish them harm of course but I’m petrified of them. However, I want to boot this old woman. Let her get her own cat. I’m in shock that she has the cheek to do it. Playing the lonely card doesn’t give you the right to steal someone’s pet. Can you try to speak to the son to explain?
99% sure the RSPCA won't do anything. There is no neglect happening. She clearly has food for him.
Just read another post that this lady has/had COVID. Please be careful if so, Dobby's fur could act as a fomite and you could infect yourself.
I think a Catio or cat proof fencing is the best way to go.
Last edited:
This old lady is a serial cat thief because she's too stingy and lazy to get her own. That and being able to "lure" a cat makes her feel wanted.
We had a very similar situation when we first moved into our house 2 years ago , we had 2 cats at the time and now have 3 .. all rescues
Tigger is our oldest ginger male and he has no interest in going outside only to piss in our flowerbed and sometimes sun himself but our other cat Tilly is young (we’d only had her a year at the time) and was more adventurous.. we’d lived in a flat previously and she’d been an indoor cat for all her life but when we moved to a house with a garden etc we decided to let them out .. Tilly immediately started roaming but was never too far and always came back when called
One night I called and called her in for her dinner but she didn’t come and I’m not the most calm person I started to panic .. my husband took their treat tin and shook it around our estate but she didn’t come
he was on his way back to our house when our neighbour came out with Tilly in his arms and met my husband on the street .. he’s an elderly man who lives on his own and his kids live abroad so we do worry about him being a bit lonely .. he told us he’d thought Tilly was a stray (she has a collar) and had taken her in and given her some tuna
my husband thanked him for looking after her but asked him not to feed her again , we try not to give the cats tuna very often as the mercury in it can be bad for them .. he promised he wouldn’t
the next night , I called Tilly but she didn’t come home .. my husband went around to our neighbours house and he said he’d let her in again as she was in his garden
my husband explained and said I was very attached to Tilly and got upset if she didn’t come home and asked if he wouldn’t mind not letting her into his house anymore and just to fuss her in the garden if he saw her
our neighbour agreed but then the next morning when I was putting the blind in our bedroom I saw him in his garden coaxing Tilly over who was stood on the fence with what looked like ham and then picking her up and taking her inside
I was livid and I’m not the most rational so I stormed over there and asked him firmly to please stop feeding Tilly and taking her into his house, I said she had a special diet (not strictly true but we are careful with how much human food we give them) and that he could make her sick and that she had a home
In the end my husband had to threaten getting the council involved and it was quite unpleasant .. I do some volunteer work for the cats protection and offered to help our neighbour find a cat of his own but he was quite vile about the whole thing .. luckily he moved away at the end of last year to be closer to family and now a family with a dog have moved in so Tilly stays well away
it’s such a tricky situation to deal with ! our council has a neighbour dispute service and we logged a complaint through there and he stopped taking Tilly then .. Is there something like that you could use ?
Tigger is our oldest ginger male and he has no interest in going outside only to piss in our flowerbed and sometimes sun himself but our other cat Tilly is young (we’d only had her a year at the time) and was more adventurous.. we’d lived in a flat previously and she’d been an indoor cat for all her life but when we moved to a house with a garden etc we decided to let them out .. Tilly immediately started roaming but was never too far and always came back when called
One night I called and called her in for her dinner but she didn’t come and I’m not the most calm person I started to panic .. my husband took their treat tin and shook it around our estate but she didn’t come
he was on his way back to our house when our neighbour came out with Tilly in his arms and met my husband on the street .. he’s an elderly man who lives on his own and his kids live abroad so we do worry about him being a bit lonely .. he told us he’d thought Tilly was a stray (she has a collar) and had taken her in and given her some tuna
my husband thanked him for looking after her but asked him not to feed her again , we try not to give the cats tuna very often as the mercury in it can be bad for them .. he promised he wouldn’t
the next night , I called Tilly but she didn’t come home .. my husband went around to our neighbours house and he said he’d let her in again as she was in his garden
my husband explained and said I was very attached to Tilly and got upset if she didn’t come home and asked if he wouldn’t mind not letting her into his house anymore and just to fuss her in the garden if he saw her
our neighbour agreed but then the next morning when I was putting the blind in our bedroom I saw him in his garden coaxing Tilly over who was stood on the fence with what looked like ham and then picking her up and taking her inside
I was livid and I’m not the most rational so I stormed over there and asked him firmly to please stop feeding Tilly and taking her into his house, I said she had a special diet (not strictly true but we are careful with how much human food we give them) and that he could make her sick and that she had a home
In the end my husband had to threaten getting the council involved and it was quite unpleasant .. I do some volunteer work for the cats protection and offered to help our neighbour find a cat of his own but he was quite vile about the whole thing .. luckily he moved away at the end of last year to be closer to family and now a family with a dog have moved in so Tilly stays well away
it’s such a tricky situation to deal with ! our council has a neighbour dispute service and we logged a complaint through there and he stopped taking Tilly then .. Is there something like that you could use ?
I'm confused because it seems like the crazy neighbour is keeping him in? So I don't think that is the problem.
I also don't think breathing in smoke is in his best interest so no I wouldn't let him back out because if she isn't letting the smoke ventilate out she is harming him too in that way.
Also if she states he is under her bed for such long periods without her noticing then she isnt even giving him attention.
I think she sounds like a liar who's excuses are not fit to take on a pet and if u were to give him up u are giving up on him.
Maybe try train him, give him things to entertain himself and give him treats now and again or spread his dinners out.
I also don't think breathing in smoke is in his best interest so no I wouldn't let him back out because if she isn't letting the smoke ventilate out she is harming him too in that way.
Also if she states he is under her bed for such long periods without her noticing then she isnt even giving him attention.
I think she sounds like a liar who's excuses are not fit to take on a pet and if u were to give him up u are giving up on him.
Maybe try train him, give him things to entertain himself and give him treats now and again or spread his dinners out.
we also had a trip to the emergency vets once when he stole a loaf of bread from our kitchen and dragged it into the lounge. He was only a kitten so the bread was a lot bigger than him.
He was limping so we rushed him to the vets only to be told that he had just bruised it... £220 later
He sounds like quite a character!we also had a trip to the emergency vets once when he stole a loaf of bread from our kitchen and dragged it into the lounge. He was only a kitten so the bread was a lot bigger than him.
He was limping so we rushed him to the vets only to be told that he had just bruised it... £220 later
This! I bet if you asked her to share the cat’s vet bills, she’d soon go off the idea and stop letting him in her house. Wants all the benefits of having a pet with none of the responsibility.. shocking!