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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

The Broadway Fruiterers (15 The Broadway, Crouch End) have a big tabby cat that's kept in a small cage, under a work counter, in a storage space at the back of the shop. I saw the cat there, a few days ago. The cage isn't  much bigger than the cat, who seemed very agitated and was clawing at the front of the cage. I asked why they had a cat in a cage and was told that it was none of my business.  

Someone put a post about the cat on Facebook and was told that the cat is kept caged during the day and let out in the shop, at night, to catch mice. 

I feel so sorry for this poor cat. It's either caged or roaming an empty shop. I can't understand why they would cage it during the day. It seem so cruel. 

Can anyone think of how the owners could be persuaded against treating the cat like this? 

Also, given that the shop is full of fruit and veg, should the cat even be living there?

id really appreciate any helpful feedback. X

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Wasn't the post simply a malicious one by someone who'd parked illegally behind the shop and then had a row about it after being blocked in? It was taken off two local groups message boards after people posted that the cat is loved and well cared for.

But I assume you don't put him in the cage every day ? And he doesn't stay in the cage for eight hours ?

If true it should be reported to the RSPCA who can investigate

And, if not true, could expose the author to an action for libel resulting in loss of sales.

How on earth could one persuade a large cat, equipped with teeth and claws, to enter a cage in which, from previous experience, it knows it is unhappy ?

Well I can see it being possible, lions in circuses are abused into complying, but I agree posting about it on social media could be damaging for all involved, much better to let the professionals look into it and either find cause for concern and educate the owners or find no cause for concern and no harm will have be done to the business' reputation. 

The advice to call the RSPCA was given on the other local forums, which makes me wonder why another post is necessary.

Clearly you don’t have a cat. Of course you can force a cat in a box even it really hates it. Doh

Next time I have to take one of my cats to the vet, I'll get you to stick him in the travel box. I'll even lend you my leather gauntlets

Used to take two of us, a large towel, the element of surprise and a box of Elastoplast to get our lad in his carrier and to the vet!

Hi.
No one is disputing the fact that the cat is caged. Not even the owners of the shop. The woman who first posted about the cat, on the crouch end face book page, withdrew the post because personal insults were being directed at her. It wasn't cos the post was untrue. Someone who said that they were a friend of the cats owner confirmed that the cat is caged all day, when the shop is open and let out at night (to catch mice) but they did not consider this to be cruel. As far as I recall, the only thing (relating to the cat) that was disputed was the size of the cage. The friend of the shop owner said that the cage was big enough for the cat to "dance a tango", if it wanted to.
I saw the cage. it wasn't even twice as long as the cat or high enough for the cat to stand on its back legs. Apart from a blanket and a bowl, there wasn't anything else in the cage (apart from the cat).
Apparently, you are allowed to keep cats caged. You are also allowed to keep a dog chained in a yard but I think both those things are cruel. That's why I was asking if there was any regulations about having cats living in a food storage area. I thought maybe that could be grounds for a complaint and a way of stopping them doing this to the cat. If the cat wasn't any use to them anymore, I'm sure it could be rehomed and be happier.

Hi Lisa, I really think you should call the RSPCA who will know all the rules and regulations and be able to check if the cat is distressed. I called them once before about a grotty pet shop where the fish were being kept in terrible conditions, they said though legally fish weren't protected they would go and visit the owners to offer advice, and that was fish so I'm sure they would take your concerns for the cat very seriously. 

Thanks Michelle,

I called the RSPCA and passed on my concerns about the cat. The person I spoke to was not very helpful and said that, as the cat was not injured or in danger, it would not be treated as an urgent matter and, when time becomes available, it would be looked into.  

I will call back today and let you know what happens. X

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