Tips On Handling �not So Animal-Tolerant� Neighbours

Here’s a tip I learnt from Dr S on handling neighbours whom you aren’t sure are animal lovers or haters, or somewhere in between.

This applies to cat-owners or feeders whose cats roam.

We all know how cats love to scratch, sit on the tops of cars or explore other people’s garden (the list goes on).

And we know how some people (thank goodness not all, but just some) simply freak out if they see a cat on top of their car, see a scratch mark on their precious vehicle or see a non-human being (I mean animal here) in their garden (Arggh…it’s going to poo, it’s going to poo!).

Well, here’s what you may wish to consider doing, especially if you have just moved in or that neighbour has just moved in.

Before any animosity starts, do this:

1. Go over, say “hi” and tell them outright that you have cats and your cats do occasionally roam, and MIGHT roam into their garden.

2. Tell them they may use a water hose and spray to “shoo” your cat away in a harmless way, and that you do not mind that.

3. Tell them if your cat poos in their garden, they are to inform you and you will go over to scoop it up and clean up the place for them.

4. Assure them that should your cat scratch their cars in any way, they are to inform you and you will go over and polish that spot for them, OR get it repaired.

The above are done to show that we are responsible cat-owners and that we do care about the welfare of our human neighbours, too, and not let our cats create havoc in their compound. Some of us may not be able to totally confine our cats (tell me about it, Ms Pole and Ms Cleo), but at least we are considerate enough to make amends and do damage control should our cats “misbehave” on the neighbour’s property.

To tell a not-so-animal-tolerant neighbour that “animals will be animals, you can’t expect them to use the public toilet” is not very wise. We could perhaps say that of stray animals, but our own? We have to take responsibility for the behaviours of our pets. It’s all about responsible pet ownership.

Dr S says she has always done Nos 1-4 (above) whenever she moved and it has always worked! At the very least, you may never have to go over the do the hard labour of polishing their cars, but you would have fostered good ties and understanding, and with some luck, your not-so-animal-tolerant neighbour might just become more tolerant in time and also have a good first impression of you.

I actually did one of the above five years ago, when Pole and Cleo used to go over to our neighbour’s in our old house. I told the mistress of the house that she could spray water to deter Pole and Cleo from entering her garden.

Unfortunately, she said she’d rather chase them off with a broom (without hitting them)… and once I saw her chasing Cleo and Cleo ran straight onto the road and there was a fast-moving car….phew! Missed by a hairline.

After that, I did my best to prevent my cats from going over. But Pole being Pole, she was already an accomplished escape artist even at a young age. After sometime, the mistress of the house didn’t quite mind “that white-coloured cat, that nice one” anymore (that would be Pole).

So, I’d still be careful about the “you may spray water at my cat” idea. �Maybe not. �Maybe, “call me over immediately, and I’ll take my cat back” is a better option, provided your cat will follow you back.

Disclaimer: The above is just a sharing and is not meant as fool-proof methods to foster better ties with your neighbours. Please use your discretion if you wish to use any of these ideas. We are not responsible if it does not work or it backfires!

Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2012/03/02/tips-on-handling-not-so-animal-tolerant-neighbours/

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AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

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