Yeah, I learned that in Arabic class too. By the way - I think this is a first, a thread on cats AND religion! Let's keep it nice...

Anheli, did you submit a written, illustrated detailed design spec of your cat stair to the management for approval? And did the management approve the design? And did you build it to the exact design specs with no changes?

If so, you are covered against neighbor complaints against the stair. Forward any comments or complaints to the management, let them deal with it.

If you don't have the above, your neighbors might have grounds for taking action against your stair, and the management has wiggle room to say they didn't approve the design as you built it - so sort that part out first.

Whilst I do not share your neighbors fear/dislike of cats (I love the little critters myself), I would understand why they might be a tad upset if a cat stair impeded the use of the building, or was unsightly. So make sure that you are on solid ground with management approval of your stair design and construction.

But issues around the stair aside, you do have to deal with the reality of pet-hating neighbors. These disputes can get very ugly very fast - and often end in the animal getting hurt.

Yes, cats have the right to roam in law. Standing on your rights is all well and good - but that won't protect your cat from irrational neighbors. To protect your cat you need to come to a compromise with your neighbors: try to find a way to prevent your cat from trespassing or causing damage to their property.

Start with the netting PegA suggests (making sure that the management approve installing it). If relations deteriorate to the point that you think the neighbors might take action against your cat, consider keeping your cat inside.

It's not easy, I know. But when people are so afraid of an animal they can get irrational. Think of your pet's safety first.

Good luck.

Just don't get your comments. We all know that there are many different ways of having the same religion - and that each religion has extremes which are not representative of 'mainstream'. Some people from some countries still mix Christianity with voodooism, as in some parts of Africa and the Carribean, and Saudi's authorities have tried to ban the ownership for cats and dogs. Totally agree it is •••••••it - but the reality for SOME people. Only trying to understand the situation and finding ways for OH to understand and deal with it. Why some want to turn this into an argument here is beyond me.

Maybe not you, but you could try outsourcing. The Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Hare Krishnas, and numerous other groups will be happy to come around and try to convert your neighbours.

Simply call them up and they'll be round like a shot.

Oh, calling Hindu groups is probably a waste of time. Apart from that, go for it.

That's why I said "let's keep it nice", Odile. My point is that some people use "religion" as a pretence for all sorts of silliness, without any real basis. The odds of the neighbours being one of those super-rare "cat hating religion" groups, are quite low, also, they would have probably chosen a house where no pets are allowed. If they don't want cats on their balcony, that's fair enough and their right but I find the religious background a bit hard to believe.

meloncollie you make a good point and that is the crux of the matter. If the cat damages the neighbours' property then it would be hard to classify them as irrational if they get mad. (I don't consider myself irrational but the neighbours's cats sure got me worked up).

Meloncollie and Snoopy commenting on a cat management thread. Surreal.

But shouldn't you recuse yourselves due to conflict of interest?

Perhaps the OP could install a cat stair with a minaret on.

Cheers
Nick

Assuming they are Muslims... But it won't be a religious thing in that case since Islam has no problem with cats.

Felis Sapiens and the Red Dwarf... reminds me of a series 20 years ago

On a more serious note..
Your neighbours have every right not to be disturbed by your cat. If the cat stair allows kittie to reach their balcony and/or defaces the outside of the building, they have the right to say no without the least explanation.

It's just the way it is.
Imagine if your neighbour's dog or pet rat spent leisure time with you, you might not like it.

I'm sorry to be so direct, I really don't see an option.

__________________
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"Il mondo è fatto a scale, chi le scende e chi le sale"

Hi Anheli

I would simply explain to them that the management were in agreement and if they want to complain they should speak to the management. Don't discuss with them at all. With time they should adjust to their new cat friend and even come to like him.
Must admit though its a bit of a horror for the cat to climb 3 floors. Hope the cat stair is protected so he can't fall.
I also have a cat and I know how it is. He's 10 year old. We live on ground floor so no problem. Last year they banned people from getting new cats but since ours has been around for 10 years they tolerate it. Now they only allow house cats-you know the ones that have to live in the house for their whole life Of couse ours still goes outside!

Bye Keith

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QED for my guilt trip statement.

Not sure about cats but Islam = dogs unclean. I know many a Persian who cowers at dogs. Never heard anything about cats being an issue though.

To be fair, I'm quite afraid of cats. But that has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with having encountered many aggressive ones that have attacked.

You're right. But it's not necessarily dishonest in the way you may think. It can be embarrassing to tell the truth at times, which can be that someone is really afraid of something. It's easier to say "religion," as it can be more readily accepted and will go unchallenged.

Totally do agree with you though. It's frustrating but still worth considering that the real reason may be valid even where religion is used as a pretense.

I do not have a cat, but am curious as it seems a lot of trouble that people go to in order to install these cat stairways for their pets. I understand from other threads that people are sometimes very interested in the life of their neighbors' dogs (i.e. whether the dog is getting out enough for exercise, etc.), but is it the same for cats, given their right to roam here in Switzerland? When I was living in the US, at one point I had a cat that was an "indoor" cat as we were frightened of her getting into fights with other cats or falling victim to "cat haters" who would get so angry with roaming cats on their property that they would resort to shooting them with pellet guns or putting out poisons. My cat was very happy to stay indoors, and got exercise through playing with toys, towers, etc.; I never thought I was depriving her and I knew many others who also kept indoor cats. Is keeping a cat house-bound in Switzerland truly frowned upon?

Not frowned upon. But the concept worries me more.

It is frowned upon, it's almost always the third question I get asked about my cats "but you live in an apartment, can't they go out?". Some vets say that they'd rather see a cat live one year outside than fifteen years in captivity. I concede that forcing a previously outdoors cat to suddenly stay in is cruel but my kittens have never seen the outdoors, nor have their parents or grandparents. They are curious about the balcony but then they are curious about everything. My place is a bit messy so they have loads of places to hide and ambush each other.

be fair..
we don't know ALL the religions...
maybe fear of cats is part of their religions Dogma ?
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( I'll get my coat )

I would rather not have a cat if I thought he had to live inside.
I also have problems visiting a Zoo.

Two other issues perhaps. You say you bought the flat- which normally means in CH that it is in PPE - so maintenance, rules, etc, are decided by a committee of owners. This normally means that all decisions re something that will affect the look of the building and other factors that might a/inconvenience other owners b/ make re-sale of other appartments more difficult if one or more owner wants to sell. These decisions would be made at a meeting and would be properly notified to all owners afterwards, and owners would have the chance to object. Did that happen? If you are a renter, the owner decide, if you are an owner, all we have to agree.

Secondly, it is quite right that in Switzerland, a traditionally rural country, the idea of keeping cats in is seen as totally un-natural (I was nearly sick when I found out that de-clawing is common in the US) and most will disapprove, but keep quiet about it in most cases. However, I am sure many will be concerned about the safety of a cat having to climb a staircase to the 3rd floor. 1st floor no problem, second floor will raise a few eyebrows, but 3rd floor. Depends on the width of the ladder, the space of rungs, the material used (non-slip sand paint - but what happens in very cold weather, ice and snow), etc. Netting is a fine idea, but could actually be more dangerous in many ways. So I wouldn't be surprised at all if concerned neighbours don't call the SPA to ask them if the situation is safe.