The Cat Thread

oh. well, word as appropriate then I guess. "DO NOT LET ME IN I HAVE A HOME" ?

Tried that as well- apparently James paddles at his patio door in a way "he can't ignore".

Does Thief of James know James' name?

I once had a cat called Archie who got stolen by a pensioner in a house about 25 meters away, she had no idea he belonged to somebody as we never used collars. She used to call him "Blackie" and was puzzled and upset when he went missing one day until she suddenly saw him in one of our upstairs bedroom windows (he'd been run over and broken his leg so was recuperating indoors).

She came round to find out about him and we learned that the little bastard had a girlfriend and his own bowl at her place!!

=James needs to (be) moved.

Oh, so he even knows that you're James' real owner?

Kill him. Kill him and salt the earth of his homestead.

you've gone round and spoken to the guy? :/

when I was a kid we used to let a neighbour's cat in - they were on the other side of the block (bottom of our garden met the bottom of their garden) and we didn't really know them, but we assumed if it was a problem they would let us know. it was pretty much confined to school holidays, when they went away and presumably the cat wanted more company. oddly it wasn't a very people-y cat, it just liked to be near but not too near. it would turn up in the morning and sit under the bedroom windows meowing. (to add, many years later my parents did speak to the neighbours about it and offer to share vet bills and so on and it wasn't a problem - but we did just assume for a long time)

but all this is making me feel pretty bad about it regardless.

it just seems so extreme for you to have to give up James.

Theif of James is a scumbag. He knows James is yours, he knows you've asked him to stop stealing your cat. I'm happy to go round and paddle on his door "in a way he can't ignore" if you like.

Theif of James is a scumbag.

This. I hate Thief of James.

Thief of James is a psycho if he knows James is yours and just carries on nicking him regardless. I'd go so far as to say it's almost a police issue.

Out of interest Dammit, where abouts do you live? I know a cat thief (someone who lets a cat sleep at her house) and have had many disagreements with her about it,

Forest Hill.

This really upsets me. My next door neighbour's cat sits in our garden and on me when I'm out there and a few times I've caught him going into our house but I always shoo him away and make sure he knows that he is not allowed in. There's no excuse especially if he knows it is your cat.

Have discovered what do to to make the cat love me again. Sod off out, with out the cat, for 15 hours. She must have been bored with no one to ignore or meow at. She had food, water and clean litter. So I think she has forgiven me, but still wants to go in the bedroom. I've let her have a wander round and sniff the room, but have not allowed her to sleep or go on my bed by keeping the door closed.

We played together today, with some string with a bit of fluff at the end then with a shoelace. I even gave her a brush, then that was enough entertainment and she went off for a wander. After a while I found her asleep on my dirty washing in the bathroom which I left her to it.

Am enjoying having a cat but not enjoying the stinky litter tray.

The cat is having a singing competition with a neighbour 2 doors down's cat at the lounge window. Its 4am it started a little after 1am, if the door to the living room is closed, she cries. If I open the door she sings to the cat outside going from window to window knocking things over as she goes...

I've been away all weekend and the cats have been at my mums house. I received word that upon arrival Opie dragged a onesie out of the cupboard and under the bed and made it his home for the weekend.

That cat is so independent.

Not sure if this is feasible, but would you be able to go over and actually collect James every day for a couple of days when you know he's over there?

Say something along the lines of "James has a vet appointment, we need to take him now", "James has to have his worm pill now, so we'll have to take him back home", "James needs his monthly flea treatment", "James needs some expensive dental work"

maybe if you do this a couple of days in a row, they'll get the hint?

^Passive agressive won't work. I'd put money on it the guy wouldn't give a fuck and call Dammit's bluff. I'd just get a chipped catflap, and lock him out (giving the other two cats the key collars). I take it James is chipped? If so just change the details to the other guy.

Have you spoke to the RSPCA? They might have some decent suggestions, and perhaps any legal issues/knowledge.

Two mice were spotted in our house last night. Little bastards get in from the garden through the out house and into the kitchen. Our last two cats kept them at bay with the odd present in the morning. Unfortunately both cats met with a nasty and premature end so I am loathe to get another cat right now but my hand may be forced.

Smell can keep the mice away.

In the last couple of days I have been at mine just to make sure cat has food and water. Finally home, and the cat is like my shadow. Relented and let her sleep on the bed with me as she has been alone for the last few days with me appearing for a few minutes to leave food and then disappear one more.

Thursday and I am free....to steal meows from cats in the street.

@Dammit that is just awful. You shouldn't have to relocate James just because of this insensitive clod.

If the neighbours say 'he pounds on the door to be let it' you need to let them know they have a duty NOT to let him in and he will soon give up, but the more they encourage him the more he will go to them. (I can't believe how quickly my neighbours cat gave up once I changed the cat flap - 2-3 weeks of realising he couldn't get in, and he stopped, aside from once when it was pouring with rain).

Then, I would involve your police local safer neighbourhood team to go and talk to him. He is breaking the law and needs to be told of the consequences.

I managed to get my neighbours to leave my cat alone once he had cancer and cost £3800+ in vet's bills. (Thank you Pet Plan!). Once you start talking to people about the cost of having a cat they usually start to steer well clear.

Bromance.

http://youtu.be/tKOFRUkwNts

I've got mice again. Not sure where they are getting in, but I've had two in a trap already yesterday.
Really want to get another cat, but I'm hopeful of major building work starting in a few months here, and I don't really want to put a new pet through the trauma of a big upheaval. It looks as if I'll just have to deal with traps and poison until then, although airsoft gun moving target range is kind of fun.
My last cat was a very lucky find from Battersea, a fat shaggy tabby who kept growing and turned out to be a wonderful Maine Coon. He thudded up and down the wooden floor like a miniature bear. I'd love another, but I'll probably just go to Battersea or Blue Cross and see who wants to make friends. I sometimes work pretty late, so an older cat who doesn't mind being alone occasionally would be good. Maybe a pair, although it will still be a pretty small place even with the extension.
One day I'll have a house in the country and a pride of Maine Coons.