A woman has expressed her shock and embarrassment after her neighbour reported her to the condo board for building a catio in her backyard, taking a photograph through a window to lodge the complaint. The incident, shared on Reddit's 'Neighbours From Hell' forum, highlights a growing tension over minor property disputes.
Secret Photo Leads to Complaint
The woman, who owns two indoor cats with her fiancé, built a movable, non-permanent catio to allow her pets safe outdoor access. Catios, endorsed by Cats Protection, provide cats with outdoor stimulation while protecting them from hazards like traffic and predators. However, the condo board emailed the couple, stating the structure looked 'untidy' and attached a photo taken from a neighbour's window in an adjacent building.
“We were stunned because we’ve always been friendly to her,” the woman wrote. “Instead of knocking on our door or saying something, she took photos of our backyard through her window and reported us.” She described the act as “incredibly invasive,” noting that the neighbour had to angle around a privacy fence to capture the image.
Questions of Privacy and Petty Grievances
The couple questioned why the neighbour would think she could get away with the complaint, especially since the condo board included her photo in the email. “She must think we’re dumb,” the woman added. She also expressed confusion over why anyone would be offended by an effort to enrich her cats’ lives.
In the Reddit thread, users offered advice and support. One commenter suggested, “Check with the condo about what you can build for your cats, get permission and build it.” Another encouraged the couple to maximize their space: “If it’s only given in square footage, maybe go vertical for maximum annoyance—and cats love climbing, so it’s a win all around.” A third user called this idea “genius,” noting the cats would enjoy a “skyscraper” while the neighbour would get “a massive middle finger in their line of sight.”
Broader Implications
The incident has sparked debate about neighbourly conduct and privacy. One Reddit user fumed, “If a harmless catio is the biggest issue in her life, she’s got it way too easy. I’d rather have happy cats than please some nosy neighbour.” According to a 2023 survey by the National Association of Realtors, 12% of property disputes involve complaints about pets or pet structures, with catios increasingly common as more owners seek safe outdoor options for their cats.
The woman concluded that the ordeal has left her feeling uneasy in her own home, but she remains committed to her cats’ wellbeing. “What we do in our own little outdoor space, especially something that lets our cats safely enjoy the outdoors, really doesn’t seem like anyone else’s business,” she said.
