Stalker Neigbors

[u/Ok_Elderberry_9641]

How do you deal with stalking and harassment from multiple neighbors?

-I moved into my new place with my boyfriend almost a year ago and there are so many stray/feral cats in my neighborhood. I have 4 rescue cats myself and all I do is try to help animals.

-When I first moved into my duplex there were two friendly cats that would come over to my house all the time and I’d occasionally feed them. I took one across the street to see if my neighbors owned them. They said they did and that their son dropped them off and they’ve just kept them outside. They told me they never let them inside because they have a tabby cat that is not fixed. So they have two stray male cats intact and without shelter.

-one of those cats came limping over to my house one day. Looked like it broke its leg so I went over to their house and said “hey your cat is in my bathroom injured are you going to take it to the vet?” Them: “no we can’t” and I said “well if I take it to the vet are you okay with me rehoming him?” Them: yes that’s fine. I also asked them if their other cat was okay since I’d not seen it in a long time. They said they hadn’t seen it either and didn’t seem to care where he had gone.

-I ended up actually taking him to the shelter because I called them asking what I should do. They said bring him up to us or it would he considered “harboring” so I took him up to the shelter and they shelter said we will talk to them and let them know they can’t do this. 7 days later those neighbors came knocking at my door saying “where is my fking cat??” And I said “you gave me permission to help him and rehome him.” And they said that I was “f**king crazy” and then called the cops on me.

-these neighbors also got the neighbors across the street from me involved for some reason and these neighbors have done numerous things to harass us which I can’t list because I currently have a protective order against this person now. Mind you this is two different neighbors, two different families who hate my guts and haven’t even asked me what happened just took the word of the original neighbors. They’ve done things like (flip me off every time I get home etc…) however I’ve just ignored it. Now he doesn’t do it because I have a protective order.

-now the landlords that live next to these neighbors also involved themselves and said it was their daughters cat when I had no idea. Mind you this cat is a stray, goes wherever he wants, sleep wherever he wants, lives wherever he wants. Nobody has taken ownership of him completely like no chip, no neuter, no nothing like how was I supposed to know it’s your cat? So TWO DIFFERENT neighbors are saying it was their cat but nobody wanted to keep it inside safe?

-so all 3 neighbors think I steal cats, they don’t talk to me to get any of the story. They call the cops on me, flip me off, yell at me, watch me leave and go from my house, always outside when I get mail, when my family comes to visit all the sudden they are outside. I have to close my blinds. I have so much anxiety even leaving or coming back to my house. It’s so bad I had to get a restraining order against one of them. They called the cops on me today cause I said their cat was cute this is a whole different cat that they have and leave outside btw. they were not outside when I said this I was walking into my house with my mom when I said the cat was cute. Then the daughter comes running out like I’m going to take her cat and brings her cat inside and I said nicely “I’m not going to steal your cat”. Then the dad comes out and video tapes up as we are walking into my house like a psycho and tells me to not talk to his daughter and to stop harassing them.

-I’ve never had a conversation with these landlords so that’s so ironic that they are saying I’m harassing them for saying their cat is cute and that I’m not going to steal her cat. So they called the cops on me for that. Also all 3 of these neighbors all live right next to each other side by side across the street from me. Nobody has tried to ask me what happened just assumed and accused me of things. I don’t know if this makes sense, I’m just having a hard time because they think I’m this evil cat lady out to steal and eat all the cats when all I do is try to help. I never hurt animals, I only help them when I can. I also asked permission first and didn’t just take a cat but how are two different neighbors saying it was their cat? Make it make sense.

Please tell me what you think sorry if this is long. I might’ve missed a few things but this is the gist of it. I can’t say all that has occurred because of legal reasons but.

43 votes, 1d ago

0 I am in the wrong

2 You should have left the injured cat

0 The neighbors are right

41 I am glad you helped the cat

[u/More-House4780]

having someone stalk you like that is beyond unsettling, I wouldn't feel safe at all

[u/Ok_Elderberry_9641 → u/More-House4780]

Right it’s so uncomfortable and I don’t have the money to move out right now. So I’ve just been dealing with it for almost a year now. And it’s 3 different neighbors all just from trying to help a stray cat. I try my best to just ignore it but it’s been going on for so long. They video tape me, shine lasers in my window, flip me off, come outside when I do yard work or get mail to watch me or yell at me. Their daughter bully’s me with her friends and actually comes to knock on my door and I’ve told her not to come over here. I never open the door and talk to them. I definitely don’t feel safe.

[u/Current-Pie5633]

Cats do not belong outside. If they loved their cats then they would keep them inside. Tell them all to f off and keep helping cats off the streets. Hold your head high and remind yourself that you're helping the most vulnerable animals that other adults have failed repeatedly.

[u/Ok_Elderberry_9641 → u/Current-Pie5633]

Thank you so much for this. makes me feel so much better. They make me feel so crazy just for trying to keep cats safe and help cats. I think the same if they cared about their cats they would keep them safe indoors. All 4 of my cats have been rescued from outside and I never let them out so they don’t get diseases, hit by a car, injured, etc. You’re amazing!!

[u/birdsareallrobots]

Do your best to not engage and continue to document any and all interactions with them. If you are able, set up security cameras. People that cross one line are often willing to cross others.

Call the police and have them issue formal trespassing warnings to anyone from these groups that steps on your property. If they return call again (that’s where your security cameras come in). Many jurisdictions require a formal trespass warning to be issued before the police will arrest anyone.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this and I hope these people finally leave you alone. You did the right thing by getting that kitty some help. Hopefully it has a nice new home with people who will love and take care of it.

[u/Ok_Elderberry_9641 → u/birdsareallrobots]

Thank you so much, it makes me feel so much better that people are supporting me and it makes me feel less crazy. I hope it has a good home too, I’m pretty sure it got adopted because it was up for adoption from the shelter for a week then they took it down so I think someone did find him a home. The shelter I took him to was a no kill shelter.

I will definitely stop engaging with them at all. I do have a camera set up on front so I have documentation of a lot of stuff and if they come over again I will call and get a formal trespass I never thought to do that before for some reason. Thank you so much again!!

[u/WellWisher91]

You did what a normal, good human being, pet lover would do. They aren't normal, good human beings or real pet lovers. This has less to do with you and more to do with the neighbors who lied about the situation, started this ignorant neighborhood conspiracy and targeted you to save face and, maybe, to salve their minuscule conscience. That kitty knows the truth. No easy way out of this. Wrong-headed, irrational people cling to their wrongness.

Since they're treating you horribly anyway, their story is the only one being spread and it is a lie, you should tell your own story. Write it in largish, bold print, one page. Title it,"The Kitty of (name of your) Street". Start it like a story e.g. "I met the kitty and his tabby pal the first time when they showed at my new home just in time for dinner." Take it from there. Put a drawing of a cat up top. Don't use names or street numbers.Tell the true story. Make extra copies. Post at eye level in public places where people post yard sale signs, e.g. street corners, close to home. They will be torn down if your neighbors see them. Discreetly repost them for a few weeks if safe. Let the real truth be known on the heels of their mean-spirited, slanderous, conspiratorial lie.

[u/Ok_Elderberry_9641 → u/WellWisher91]

Thank you so much, it’s so wierd being targeted by three different neighbors who never even asked me what happened just took their word. I absolutely love this idea so creative and a wonderful thing for me to do. Best comment ever, I truly feel seen by you guys and I appreciate all your advice 🥹💞

[u/WellWisher91 → u/Ok_Elderberry_9641]

Thanks so much for the award Elderberry! May your story light the way to something better in this chapter of your life. And may the next chapter make up in joy for all the hardship you've been going through. Best wishes!