# That's Where The Cat Piss Smell Comes From.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 1, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513 "2005-03-01T23:54:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/21 "2005-03-03T02:20:14Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Before anyone beefs the idea of infringing on the civil liberties of the neighbor-personally I don’t care if you want to cook or use meth. I do have a problem when your chemistry is poor and you set a home that you share with others on fire, or you manage to blow shit up. Then I’ve got to get involved to help prevent injury to others, and minimize the environmental impact of your science fair project gone haywire. I’ve used some pretty nasty stuff in lab and (illegality aside) I wouldn’t want to try cooking up meth without a fully equipped hood and a way to block any possible explosions. Maybe something suitable for perchloric acid use. Every time I’ve heard stories about people running meth labs–in Albuquerque, it often seems to happen in hotel rooms–I’ve thought they are completely nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/22 "2005-03-03T02:24:46Z")
> [@Phnord Prephect](#): > > So, assuming it IS the cats, how would this occur? Obviously: if it IS the cats, they must be cooking the meth. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/23 "2005-03-03T02:43:03Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > They don’t have carboys or anything on their porch. One claims to be a hairdresser, the other is evasive about her job, if any. Mostly they keep to themselves. We have never seen the inside of their apartment. We know about their 2 cats because we have seen them in the windows. OTOH, they are very nice people when we do see them on their porch. Meth heads can be some of the nicest people. Unless they’re tweaking, then they are really cranky and jerkish. It’s quite possible they are making it, but not selling it from their apartment because they don’t want to get caught and that’s a good way to have stuff turn up missing (all the meth heads wandering in and out… stuff always goes missing. I know this from personal experience, though my roomies weren’t _making_ any meth.) Glad you’ll call the cops when the smell returns, though I might suggest calling them and just generally saying ‘well I’ve noticed this happening’ and they might keep an eye on them. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/24 "2005-03-03T02:56:27Z")
I have to agree here. You might not get the warning of an odor next time. You might get an explosion instead. Please call the cops now. It’s what needs to be done, whether your neighbors are “nice” or not. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/25 "2005-03-03T03:09:43Z")
Do you have Crimestoppers or something similar in your area? That’s an anonymous call. Don’t worry about whether it’s “important” enough to report; one of our officers busted a rolling meth lab a few weeks ago after he got a tip from a local store clerk that the driver had been purchasing a heckuva lot of Sudafed (a major ingredient in meth production) lately, something a lot of people would just blow off. Good luck and please, keep us updated! ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/26 "2005-03-03T03:53:54Z")
> [@Rebekkah](#): > > Interesting note - from a broker perspective… your landlord should be very concerned about this because any resulting damage from a meth lab or grow op is most likely excluded from his policy. We are getting a new property manager as the last one failed to care about the children who enjoyed peeing in the elevator and taking a dump in the pool. The feral children are the devil. I think I pitted them before. Basically latch-key kids with really crappy parents. ---
**Author:** ![Jillyvn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Jillyvn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jillyvn)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/27 "2005-03-03T03:58:54Z")
I think you need to approach the building owner… he’s the one with the stake in the property. Last place I worked, we had difficulty writing property manager properties because the people looking after the building didn’t have a stake in whether it was well maintained. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/28 "2005-03-03T13:41:32Z")
I’m pretty sure insurable interest isn’t the issue here. Inkleberry has a 3 month-old baby who will more than likely be severely injured should the apparent meth lab explode. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/29 "2005-03-03T14:03:17Z")
**Inkleberry** Count me in as thinking you should call the police **now!** What possible downside to that call could justify risking an explosioin next door? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/30 "2005-03-03T14:11:39Z")
There are “anonymous” phone numbers to report things to the coppers in every city in America. **Use them!** Even if there is no problem, the _potential_ risk to your infant justifys extraordinary action. When you call, do not give your name, or mention that the smell is coming through your walls. Do not accuse anybody by name. Do not mention their names in any fashion. Give their address & apartment number, tell the cops that you suspect a meth lab there, **& say nothing else. _Answer no questions. Just hang up._** Finally, do not call from your cell phone, or home phone, unless you are an idiot. Unlikely that I need to point that out, as you are a SDMBer, but still… ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/31 "2005-03-03T15:04:04Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > [SIZE=3]When you call, do not give your name, or mention that the smell is coming through your walls. > Do not accuse anybody by name. > Do not mention their names in any fashion. > Give their address & apartment number, tell the cops that you suspect a meth lab there, **& say nothing else. > _Answer no questions. Just hang up._** > > Finally, do not call from your cell phone, or home phone, unless you are an idiot. Unlikely that I need to point that out, as you are a SDMBer, but still… Umm… why? All calls to a police tips hotline (and 911 for that matter) are confidential, they do not and will not tell the suspect who tipped them. The officer or operator on the other line will ask for your name, address and phone number. So what? I don’t understand your paranoid horsecrap. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/32 "2005-03-03T15:13:40Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > There are “anonymous” phone numbers to report things to the coppers in every city in America. **Use them!** Even if there is no problem, the _potential_ risk to your infant justifys extraordinary action. There are even specific hotlines for reporting suspected meth labs in many states. I’ve used tip lines before on several occasions to report drug dealers. Never had any problem with getting hassled, whether they were anonymous but from my home phone, or even if I gave my name. They definitely aren’t going to tell the druggies you tipped them off. ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/33 "2005-03-03T15:21:27Z")
> [@TheFaerie](#): > > Umm… why? All calls to a police tips hotline (and 911 for that matter) are confidential, they do not and will not tell the suspect who tipped them. The officer or operator on the other line will ask for your name, address and phone number. So what? I don’t understand your paranoid horsecrap. Because sometimes the po-po will “stop by” the accuser’s house to get more information, not knowing they weren’t supposed to. Sometimes the person you’re talking to may not write down that it’s anonymous or some message could get misconstrued and they wind up at your place from a trace. You can never be too safe, especially if you’re dealing with an issue like this. Someone could come after the family or make their lives a living hell, really. For smaller issues where maybe there won’t be a violent consequence, yeah I’d agree with you, but not when you’re talking about something this serious. Call from a payphone. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/34 "2005-03-03T15:24:11Z")
> [@PinkMarabou](#): > > Because sometimes the po-po will “stop by” the accuser’s house to get more information, not knowing they weren’t supposed to. Sometimes the person you’re talking to may not write down that it’s anonymous or some message could get misconstrued and they wind up at your place from a trace. You can never be too safe, especially if you’re dealing with an issue like this. Someone could come after the family or make their lives a living hell, really. For smaller issues where maybe there won’t be a violent consequence, yeah I’d agree with you, but not when you’re talking about something this serious. Call from a payphone. Beat me to the reply. Thanks, **Pink**. **TheFaerie** --your manners are worse than _mine_. And that’s harsh. :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/35 "2005-03-03T15:30:09Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] Beat me to the reply. Thanks, **Pink**. [QUOTE] You learn from experience. Some relatives called the police about a domestic disturbance in their apartment complex. If I remember correctly, they wanted to stay anonymous and the police showed up anyways. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/36 "2005-03-03T15:43:40Z")
You do realize that if you don’t give them your private contact information, they probably won’t follow up, don’t you? Particulary if you live in a larger town. Cops often have bigger fish to fry than following up on anonymous tips from unidentifed sources. I am not a “po-po” (what a juvenile term) but I am close enough to several police officers (having been in a long term relationship with one for 8 years and friend to may others) to know what sort of tip they will follow, and the ones that say “Well I won’t tell you who I am or where you can find me but I think my neighbor is cooking meth” is unlikely to get you the results you want. And I stand by my “paranoid horsecrap” statement, whether you think it is rude or not. To the OP: Call the cops, tell them who you are and about your concern for your family, tell them it is an anonymous call, and don’t worry about the slight chance that the police will somehow screw up your life. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/37 "2005-03-03T16:05:07Z")
I’m not a cop, but I’m a dispatcher. YMMV, of course, but when I take a call, if the caller states he/she does not wish contact and wants to remain anonymous, then that’s how I give it out. “Caller does not wish contact, wants to remain anonymous, contact info on file (assuming, that is, the caller went ahead and gave me contact info).” That lets the cop know that if he wants he can give the reporting party a call back, but RP doesn’t want anyone banging on his/her door. Or, just call Crimestoppers. In our area they give you an ID number when you call and give them a tip; if there’s any reward involved you use that number to claim it later on. And in my experience cops like drug tips. If it pans out, it’s a nice clean bust that makes them and the department look good. ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/38 "2005-03-03T16:08:18Z")
> [@TheFaerie](#): > > I am not a “po-po” (what a juvenile term) but I am close enough to several police officers (having been in a long term relationship with one for 8 years and friend to may others) to know what sort of tip they will follow, and the ones that say “Well I won’t tell you who I am or where you can find me but I think my neighbor is cooking meth” is unlikely to get you the results you want. You know, I give everyone one chance to be civil. Once you cross that, I’m done. I have to second **Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor** ’s sentiment - you ARE rude. I’m sorry that I’m much younger than you, but that gives you NO EXCUSE to act like an asshole. Hello, Pot? Kettle’s on line one, he says you’re black. ---
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/39 "2005-03-03T16:55:25Z")
Seriously, you do need to call the police here. My younger brother’s ex-wife was manufacturing meth when her “lab” exploded. She had my then three year old nephew and her one year old with her at the time. The kids both suffered rather nasty chemical burns and both of them have developed asthma as a result. Of course there is a chance that they’re not manufacturing meth, but better to take a chance you offend them than that they blow up your home and/or expose your infant to toxic chemicals. I’d also call the landlord, manager, whatever. Even if the smell is only cat urine, something needs to be done about it. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513/40 "2005-03-03T17:08:38Z")
Crazy thread, keep us posted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-where-the-cat-piss-smell-comes-from/292513.md?page=3)