Hi Reddit! This is my first post so be nice! :)
My in laws are on vacation until Saturday night, and they seem to think it's fine that they left their cat locked in the basement with an automatic feeder. I know they have been gone *at least* since Wednesday morning, because my mother-in-law texted me that morning to see if I was in the area and if I could drop by to pick up the package on their porch. (They did not tell my partner and I that they were leaving, not that they are obligated to, we just are not sure how long they have actually been gone.)
I told her I could get the package from the porch on Thursday evening, which led me to realizing that nobody else was going to be checking on their house. I asked if anyone was watching their animals, and they said the dog was in a pet hotel, and the cat was in the basement with an "automatic feeding/watering system that lasts for two weeks". My heart sunk and I started shaking. I texted her back and said that was a really long time, and asked if there was a spare key, so I could check on the cat, and they said that "If it is so important, please find a locksmith and have them verify permission to gain access. Then please take [the cat] home with you and lock the house or plan on coming back daily if they give you a key. Please don't leave the house unlocked or give [the cat] access to the upstairs." I did not respond, my partner and I were both kind of in shock at that point, not knowing what to do. I called a nearby locksmith company, and they said they cannot grant access because we have no proof of living there - which makes total sense.
Some background:
When we have gone over to their house, the condition we have seen this cat in has not been great. He is maybe 11-12 years old, they found him as a stray years ago, and he is kept in the basement away from everyone. His water is rarely clean, and we assume the automatic feeder they are referencing is what they use to feed him all the time. I really think he is only brought upstairs when we go over for dinner and ask about him. They think this is better than a no kill shelter, but I don't know if that is true. He would at least have sunlight and a chance of being adopted there. We have considered taking him before, but unsure of how our pit bull pup will react (she is still young and needs training). They have been saying they have been trying to find him a home for the entire four years I have been with my partner, but I have yet to see any listing for him.
Am I an asshole for confronting my in laws on vacation about leaving their cat in the basement for 4+ days? Am I an asshole for telling someone how to care for their animal? Should I just mind my own business or contact authorities? I never have had a cat, but leaving any animal alone for that length of time feels like abuse/neglect to me.
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/pq7np5/advice_neglected_cat/
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