My friend's cat, who never goes outside the garden, went missing for 24 hours. She put up posters, trailing the streets looking for her, knocking on neighbours doors. Finally at 3am she heard the flat upstairs front door open and her cat appeared. Now these people knew she was frantically looking for her cat, and yet still kept it shut in their flat. My friend is frantic that they will take her cat again. Does anyone know her legal rights in this? Could she call the police if it happens again? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
2007-02-15 02:28:21 · 10 answers · asked by Flower girl 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I agree with SYG. It is entirely possible this was a genuine mistake. It may be that the cat got in to the neighbour's flat without them noticing, & hid because it was scared by unfamiliar surroundings. Imagine their suprise at 3am when a cat appeared from under the bed?! Approach the neighbour with this in mind & see what reaction you get.
My parents thought something was wrong with their cat as she seemed to be off her food. They later found out the next-door neighbours had been feeding her, tit-bits at first, then more as (naturally!) she kept on coming back. Being non-cat owners they very innocently didn't see how this may cause problems for cat & owner alike. This may be the same sort of situation.
Whatever the case, your friend should have her cat micro-chipped anyway, just in case, and make sure she has some clear photos. If it turns out the neighbour is an evil cat-napper after all, she can then approach the local police for advice.
2007-02-15 03:48:45 · answer #1 · answered by Mouse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If cat's go missing, they either end up dead, lost or if you are lucky, found. Be grateful that the cat was found alive first of all. Secondly have a talk with this neighbour and explain in no uncertain terms that if this should ever happen again, it would be greatly appreciated if the said cat was returned as soon as possible.
Better to work with the neighbour politely if at all possible, then to get police involved.
Best advice, don't give the cat any opportunity to run away in a place where it clearly is not safe.
2007-02-15 07:19:24 · answer #2 · answered by ♥Enya♥ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Be careful. Could be the cat had crept into their flat without their knowledge and popped it out when they found it. I suggest she speaks to them to thank them for finding her cat and see how they react. Then she will have a better idea of whether it was intentional or not.
2007-02-15 02:34:13 · answer #3 · answered by SYJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A cat is property, like anything else. She should take pictures of her and the cat, and let everyone in the neighborhood know that the feline is hers. If the cat-nappers ply their trade, the evidence should stand up in court.
2007-02-15 02:40:13 · answer #4 · answered by DAKal 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She should get a tracking chip or an identifying tattoo on the cat. That way she has proof the cat belongs to her.
2007-02-15 02:32:30 · answer #5 · answered by Angry-T 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why doesn't she get it microchipped? That would be proof of ownership. Don't know if the police would be that bothered to be honest, but she could explain the situation to her vet so they'd be alerted to it.
2007-02-15 04:22:13 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the cat microchipped and registered with her as the owner.
2007-02-15 02:33:46 · answer #7 · answered by freebird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She should get the cat a collar and tag, possible even microchip him too, she should also politely let her neighbors know that if he ever gets loose again and they find him to please call her.
2007-02-15 02:41:48 · answer #8 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definately microchip your cat, registering it to yourself as soon as possible. you never no these people may want your cat that much that they sneak it back in and get it micro chipped to themselves. do it to be safe rather than sorry!!
2007-02-15 03:37:31 · answer #9 · answered by turtles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and contact the Police. For one thing she needs to go on record. Also contact your local shelter. Luck from Brian&Stimpy
2007-02-15 03:16:32 · answer #10 · answered by renhoez 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋