Paw + Order: is it okay to feed someone else’s cat?
23.2.2024
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Does your cat prefer to eat out in the neighbourhood rather than at your place? Or maybe you’re wondering if you’re allowed to feed your neighbour’s furball? The second episode of Paw + Order has the answers!
It hurts. If your cat hangs out at your neighbour’s place and prefers their food, it can feel like cheating. Perhaps your pet lives by the motto: «A lion would never cheat on you. A Tiger Wood(s).»
Unwanted feline guests can be equally troublesome. For example, if your neighbour’s cat keeps rocking up at your own one’s food bowl. Caroline Mulle, a legal research associate for Swiss animal rights foundation «Stiftung für das Tier im Recht», knows what to do in either situation.
Caroline Mulle, am I allowed to feed my neighbour’s cat?
As long as you’re only feeding it occasionally and aren’t giving it harmful food, you don’t have to worry about any legal consequences. However, if pets are fed regularly or systematically, this may have legal implications.
We’ll go into this in more detail later. But first, I’d like to know why there would be legal consequences in the first place?
The absence of a pet represents a significant intrusion into the emotional world and privacy of its owner. At the same time, it’s also an intrusion into their position as the owner. This includes the right to spend as much time as possible with the animal.
What options do I have if my neighbour’s regularly feeding my cat?
If talking to that person doesn’t work, our advice is to send a registered letter to the neighbour asking them to stop the feeding. It’s worth adding that you’ll take legal action otherwise.
What if that doesn’t help either?
In that case, as the cat’s owner, you could file a civil suit at the neighbour’s place of residence. That way, a court-mandated feeding ban for the neighbour can be issued. If the cat fails to return, a criminal complaint for theft of property or unlawful appropriation may also be filed with the police. Possible consequences may include a custodial sentence or a fine.
What exactly are we looking at?
It really depends on the case. But in theory, the maximum prison sentence could be up to three years. However, this hardly ever comes into effect.
Can I demand that the neighbour hands my cat back?
Yes, you may do so at any time because you’re the pet owner and the cat belongs to you. Should your neighbour refuse to hand over the cat, you could even call the police.
Source: Shutterstock/V2505
What should I do if my cat eats the food my neighbour’s left out?
Again, the way to go is to talk to your neighbour first. Perhaps you can agree on specific times when the cats are let out and sources of cat food are kept out of reach. What’s also proven to be very effective are cat flaps with chip recognition, which only let your own cat into the house. If you don’t have a high-tech flap, a chip-activated feeding bowl may also be a good solution.
Can a neighbour make me pay for the food my cat’s been eating at their house?
No. Although pet owners are generally liable for any damage to property or personal injury caused by their pet, there are certain limitations to this law when it comes to cats. This is because it’s practically impossible for their owners to control and train them. Therefore, cat owners are generally not liable for damage caused by their cats.
This seems a little unsatisfactory for the neighbour.
Yes. That’s why we recommend owners of free-roaming cats cover at least part of the costs to avoid arguments. Or to take out personal liability insurance. It covers damage up to a certain amount, even if the owner isn’t actually liable. As a neighbourly gesture, you could put money towards getting a chip-controlled cat door or cover some of the cost of the cat food, for example.
How can I prevent my cat from eating elsewhere in the first place?
There are many reasons why cats prefer to eat at the neighbours’. It may be a good idea to search for clues. If the cat isn’t deliberately being fed but still rarely eats at home, it may be worth experimenting with a different type of cat food. Your cat may be feeling unsettled by a change. A different feeding place or a new family member, for example. That could be a reason why it’s eating out. Ultimately, however, cats are and will continue to be independent creatures. You won’t always be able to prevent them from having a bite to eat at the neighbours' place from time to time.
In the USA, a full-blown argument broke out between neighbours over Mercury the cat, who was spending more time next door than at home:
Have a question that I can explore in the series Paw + Order? Let me know in the comments.
Header image: Shutterstock/Shyntartanya
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know?
Pets
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
14 comments
later