My neighbor's cat? Can I keep it?

Question

I kind of already asked this question, but I think I need to reword it here a bit. You see, my neighbor's cat likes us more than it's real owners. We can tell they don't feed him because he's always eating crickets and grass. He's always at our house and started going back to his real house every night but lately he doesn't even go home. I realize it would be illegal to just take him and keep him, but it's also illegal for my neighbors to neglect him and not feed him. What can I do?

Answer 1

ask them if you can have the cat

Answer 2

Do you know he's not being fed based on the fact that it eats crickets and grass. Because that's what cat's do. I have a VERY well fed cat that likes birds and insects. That's what cats do...it's their instincts. They are natural hunters. You can't just take someone's cat. How do you know that they don't love it very much. Just because the cat can go back and forth between your houses doesn't mean it is being neglected. Some cats prefer to roam about instead of being cooped up indoors. Maybe they are just letting their animal live the way it wants to.
You could find a way to invite yourself over (like bringing over cookies or whatever) when you know the cat is home. That way you could see for yourself how the cat is treated. If they really are neglectful and uncaring people (without a shadow of a doubt) and they don't seem to love their pet...then I would feed and care for it until it felt like my home was it's home. That way it is the animals descision and you are not just taking someone else's pet.

Answer 3

This happened to me, exactly. I went and talked to the neighbors and found out they were moving away and were planning to get rid of the cat in a month. They were so happy that I wanted the cat and they gave the cat to me. You also have to remember that most cats have one of those tracking chips inside of them now. If they are going to give you the cat, they need to call the chip tracking company (Home Again etc.) and release the records to you, so that you can change the cat to your name. Otherwise, if you kept the cat and ever lost the cat -- they wouldn't be able to find you.

Go to the neighbors and tell them that the cat has been coming over to visit a lot and you really enjoy having him visit, but you wanted to make sure they knew about it. Ask them if they mind. Just try and open the conversation up and lead it in that direction, without asking for the cat outright. Remember, that a cat will eat when it's given food -- so it doesn't neccesarily mean it's hungry or neglected.

Answer 4

You can call in an anonymous report to your local Animal Control. Do they take the cat for vaccinations and vet appointments? That's definitely something you can report.

BTW, just because an animal eats crickets and grass doesn't mean it's not being fed. That's a natural thing for cats to do - they're predators. Grass helps their digestion and crickets are jumpy little things that set off the "feral" in them.

I know it's tempting to take the little guy, but your best bet is to do it the right way. If they take the cat away from the family, you can go and adopt him from the shelter.

Good luck and good job wanting to take care of your feline friend :)

Answer 5

Cats love to eat bugs and grass, even well fed fat cats do this.
This is obviously an outside cat. She probabaly loves being an outside cat because she has access to bugs, sunlight, grass, birdwatching, etc.... Outside cats are very territorial by nature.
This cat may not even realize she is "owned" by anyone. Even if they neighbors claim her as theirs. She just hangs out in her territory where ever she feels like it at the moment. I would just enjoy the time she spend at your house. If you notice a need for a Vet visit, you might then go to your neighbor and see if they are going to take her. If not, they may give you permission to "have the cat" for your own. Get them to write a statement giving you ownership of the cat. This way you can remain good neighbors.

Answer 6

You can't keep him....and our well fed cats are always munching on grass and finding critters in the yard, so that is not at all an indication of neglect. Is the cat emaciated? Fleas? Distended belly from worms/mange/ringworm/etc? If you are truly concerned for the welfare of this animal, contact the SPCA so they can come out and evaluate him. On the slim chance they remove him from the home, do you really want to stir things up with your neighbor by reporting them and then adopting their cat? I wouldn't.

Answer 7

Just because the cat eats crickets and grass, in no way means that he is starved! Grass is like medicine for animals. They eat it when they are feeling "sick" and cats will eat almost any bug! Thats just their nature. You cannot take someone elses pet, you may ask your neighbor if you please have it, but they probably love the cat too, the cat may just be visiting over at your house, because he likes you and maybe you feed him alot! If your neighbors wont let you have him, then just let him visit!

Answer 8

ask the neighbours, maybe they don't even really want the cat. And a cat that likes to eat crickets and grass isn't necessarily being neglected and starved.

Answer 9

this sounds familiar as in there is a cat near where i live that always is sitting on our stoop and me and my neighbors feed him because his owner always locks him outside when she goes out and lets him come in at night. but hes always wanting to go inside. its horrible how she treats him. i told my mom she should take it but she wont. i think you should say something to the owner, and if he/she ignores the whole situation then tell them that if they dont start taking care of it then you will. and if they dont care then why not. if they get angry be like, then why dont you take care of it!!! the poor thing :[

Answer 10

I say continue what you are doing by feeding him and caring for him when you can. Start inviting the cat into your house and maybe he will want to stay. If they don't seem to care then I say put a collar on him and call him your own.

Answer 11

be sure u've got the story straight. then go to the neighbors and let them know u're concerned. and wanted to ask them some q's. say that it seems to you that.....(put in whatever u want to say here). and give them a chance to explain. maybe the cat is just out there to play...or something and like your company...cuz of the attention he/she gets. in any event...talk to the neighbors. =)