Cat issues?

Question

So there is this cat that we found living outside our house and it is
-20 degrees out. We found an ad that it has been missing for close to 50 days. We captured it and it is not a friendly cat at all, we have been feeding it and hope to return it to its owners soon. The owners said it would run out every chance it had. It has sprayed inside our house, so we kept our other cats away from him, he seems to be very stubborn and not want to go anywhere or do anything at all. Since it is wild he is not a people cat. It is so cold that we had to rescue it before it froze to death. Should we return it to its owners or release him outside our house and continue feeding it? It seems happier outside. Im afraid that if we give it back to the owners, that if it escapes again it would be more prone to death. I do not want to give it up to animal control.

Answer 1

dont return it there is a reason it ran away it wasnt happy even if they are good owners release him and feed him maybe you could put a box or crate or something outside for it to hide in and get warm in tho thanx for caring for the cat

Answer 2

You cannot leave a pet out in that kind of weather. Isolate the cat if need be in bathroom with a litter box, food, etc. If you don't have an extra bathroom available, use a bedroom ,heated garage/basement, or anywhere else but DO NOT LEAVE HIM OUTSIDE. You can be cited for animal cruelty if you do. Tell the owners to pick the cat up ASAP. They should have picked him up by now. If they don't do it within a few days (without good reason) take him to a shelter and explain the situation and they will put the cat on hold for a few days for the owners to come get him.

Answer 3

you have a good heart!! Some vet. clinics will take in the cat and hold it for the owners. The owners would have to pay the kennel fee but that might just mean they REALLY want the cat back. You might want to call around to the animal hospitals and tell them the situation...see if they can help. Otherwise, either the poor thing faces freezing outside or the animal control situation. I would suggest returning it to the owners and know that you did what you could to help the creature!!!!!

Answer 4

As you have already contacted the owners, your only legal choice is to return it to the owners. You can specify that they must pick up the cat by "x" date or you will release the cat. You have to give them a reasonable time to come get the cat. Depending on how far away they are, 3 days to 2 weeks should be enough.

Answer 5

Please consider first giving the owner a chance to take him home. Most pet owners are devastated when they lose a pet. Some cats do prefer to wander, not having anything to do with how much they like their home. In this weather, it's important to keep them inside. Ignore the answer that says he won't freeze... people always say they'll find a place to hide, but that's not always true. People and animals die in this weather.

It was so very kind of you to care for it... now give the owner a few days to retrieve him and if they don't take care of it, try to find a no-kill shelter. If not, animal welfare is your best bet.

Answer 6

Return it to it's owners, if you go there and they seem shady or don't care about it then take it to the Humane Society or somewhere else. If it's not people friendly then it could likely get put to sleep, if you don't want that to happen then keep the cat. Either build some sort of shelter with blankets and hay for it outside or keep it inside and hopes it eventually comes around. The cat could've been abused by the owners so by spending time with it could help him/her become a more people-friendly animal. If you decide to keep the cat take it to the vet to get checked out especially if you have other cats because cats that have been left outside can carry parasites inside and outside their bodies (like fleas & ticks) Also definitely get him/her fixed, that's one of the most important things you can do.

Answer 7

The question is: Do the owners REALLY want the cat back?? Or are they just looking for someone to pawn it off on? If you aren't ready for another cat ( and this one seems to have some real issues) then try to find it a place at a no kill shelter if there is one available, or possibly a farm, where a farmer might need an outdoorsy cat to catch mice.

Answer 8

I would give it back to their owners. Just imagine if you lost a pet and the person who found it decided the fate of your pet instead of giving it back to you.
Outside animals are more prone to death than when kept indoors. They obviously miss their cat if they put out an ad for it.

Answer 9

THIS is what I would do. Bring the cat back to the people unless if you have the money and room for him to keep him...... Bring him back and explain that he needs to stay inside during this cold weather. That they need to put some kind of gate up so he can't run outside. Plus he should be neutered if he is running around outside. obviously these people don't really care. If they do not do not listen.... then I would call animal control. Hopefully it will not come to that. OR find him a home yourself.

Answer 10

I think that they cared enough to advertise for the cat they must care about it, however they need to come and get it. . The cat is not used to you and your other animals, but probably ,(HOPEFULLY) does love it's owners. You really did such a good deed by taking him inside, but obviously, he needs to be returned to his owner.

Answer 11

give it back to the owners. tell them to keep a eye on it and maybe the cat just isn't use to you. It may love its owner. You may wanna do something about the cat urine also caue your cats will start peeing there.