Cost of living crisis, neighbour abandoning cat?

norm said:
I've been reading more and more stories in the news about people abandoning their pets as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Anyway the house opposite to me is rented and has been occupied by a woman and her 3 kids for the last 4 or so years I've lived here. It's fairly obvious she's on benefits as she doesn't go to work, and has all the trappings of the benefits lifestyle fat/tattoos/uses vulgar language openly etc

Anyway, she's always had a dog and cat, but I've noticed within the last month or so the dog is no longer around, which is unusual as it was only a few years old and replaced the older dog they had previously. The cat is now roaming the streets a lot more and often in my back garden crying for food. Admittedly I made the mistake of feeding it before so now it's coming here more frequently. Before I would feed it occasionally and it was never really a big deal it would still go home.

I get the distinct impression though she's now purposely feeding the cat less or stopping it coming inside her house in an attempt to offload the burden of looking after it onto somebody else. A cat isn't cheap and it's pretty obvious between feeding herself, her kids and paying the energy bill she can no longer afford or prioritise the pet.

What should I do? I don't want to see the cat suffer but at the same time I don't want it constantly crying at my door, nor do I want it to move in, and precisely why should I take on the responsibility of her pet when she's had it all these years but because she's got less money in her universal credit now as a result of her decision not to get a job, somebody other than her has to pick up the pieces?
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What should you do? You could attempt to be a better person, that's an awful way to conduct yourself.
 
norm said:
It's fairly obvious she's on benefits as she doesn't go to work, and has all the trappings of the benefits lifestyle fat/tattoos/uses vulgar language openly etc
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I am about 93KG... so classed as "fat" (I have a 36" belly).
I have many tattoos.
I use "vulgar" language. Admittedly not with just any randoms, but I swear in front of my parents, if that counts.

Am I trapped in a benefits lifestyle too, OP? (I'm not.... )
 
norm said:
I've been reading more and more stories in the news about people abandoning their pets as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Anyway the house opposite to me is rented and has been occupied by a woman and her 3 kids for the last 4 or so years I've lived here. It's fairly obvious she's on benefits as she doesn't go to work, and has all the trappings of the benefits lifestyle fat/tattoos/uses vulgar language openly etc

Anyway, she's always had a dog and cat, but I've noticed within the last month or so the dog is no longer around, which is unusual as it was only a few years old and replaced the older dog they had previously. The cat is now roaming the streets a lot more and often in my back garden crying for food. Admittedly I made the mistake of feeding it before so now it's coming here more frequently. Before I would feed it occasionally and it was never really a big deal it would still go home.

I get the distinct impression though she's now purposely feeding the cat less or stopping it coming inside her house in an attempt to offload the burden of looking after it onto somebody else. A cat isn't cheap and it's pretty obvious between feeding herself, her kids and paying the energy bill she can no longer afford or prioritise the pet.

What should I do? I don't want to see the cat suffer but at the same time I don't want it constantly crying at my door, nor do I want it to move in, and precisely why should I take on the responsibility of her pet when she's had it all these years but because she's got less money in her universal credit now as a result of her decision not to get a job, somebody other than her has to pick up the pieces?
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This is a very alarming situation. I do not even know what I can help you. I do not understand such people. Why take a Cat if you can provide it. Unfortunately, too many such situations are with children. When did this world become so cruel?
 
Sian Kumar said:
This is a very alarming situation. I do not even know what I can help you. I do not understand such people. Why take a Cat if you can provide it. Unfortunately, too many such situations are with children. When did this world become so cruel?
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When the economys arse dropped out, if they are just hoping it'll go away then it's a very poor way to deal with it but you can't really blame them for the root cause of no longer being able to afford it.
 
Chris Wilson said:
I was of the impression cheesefest was female, but whatever, I find them amusing in a way, I can quite get how working in retail can justify some moaning :)
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Thank you for your understanding. Everyone needs to work in retail or those who shop stop being rude and nasty to retail workers ok? Can see NO benefit for acting like this.
 
Sian Kumar said:
This is a very alarming situation. I do not even know what I can help you. I do not understand such people. Why take a Cat if you can provide it. Unfortunately, too many such situations are with children. When did this world become so cruel?
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Most people think the cost of looking after a pet is minimal - a bed, some food and toys. Forgetting about vet bills, insurance etc. Plus people now don't think it through. They buy on impulse, including pets. My parents' neighbours bought two guinea pigs for their daughters last year. Now living with a relative who has had guinea pigs for 30 plus years as kids got disinterested cleaning out their hutch etc.
 
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