We've actually been feeding the cat just outside our front door since September/October. When the weather would turn cold at night, we'd let her in. 3 weeks ago, we brought her in for good, paid a huge pet deposit, got her spayed, vaccinated, tested for FIV etc., microchipped, so on and so forth. Several of our neighbors would feed her too (we live in an apartment community). Now, a little girl shows up saying it's hers. We've invested much money and love into our sweet kitty. We haven't heard from the girls parents yet. I don't want to hurt the little girls feelings, but the cat was not being cared for - we've never seen the little girl even around the cat - ever! How should we proceed? Even if the girls parents showed up with enough money to cover all we've spent - we still don't want to give the cat up. Please share your thoughts, opinions and suggestions on this situation.
2007-02-16 06:30:05 · 29 answers · asked by Marvelissa 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
if the animal wasn't being cared for by the child, and her parents obviously must not have cared about it either, she should take it as a lesson - if you knew a child that was wandering the streets like that and everyone else was feeding it and you finally took it in so it wouldn't freeze, would you just give it back to the itinerant parents? Any animal deserves to be better cared for than that, tell her that she has not been taking care of it so it came to live with you, and that if she is allowed to get another pet, she (and her parents) needs to be responsible for it so it doesn't need to find a new home.
Good luck!
2007-02-16 06:37:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
After you have fallen in love with an animal, it's not easy to lose them. If the cat ran away today, wouldn't you look for it....put up flyers....call local shelters....ask neighbors? I know you would. That brings me to the question of why this child's parents didn't do the same.
It is possible that there could have been circumstances that prevented it...say a sudden illness or death in the family...but six months is quite a long time and you did give the cat ample opportunity to return home or for it's owner to find it before you took it in. I do the same thing with strays.
This is how I feel about it. If an animal comes to your home without a collar and keeps coming back on a daily basis for an extended period of time, you are to assume it is a homeless animal. Anybody would.
It's unfortunate if the girl was the original owner of the cat, but after this amount of time the cat has adjusted to your home. Your care and kindness has most likely kept this cat from being euthanized in a shelter, starving, being hit by a car ...who knows what could have happened to it?
The point is, you were doing a good deed by caring for this animal who appeared to be homeless. After the amount of time that has lapsed, returning the animal is just not an option for you or for it. If it was truly the girl's cat and the parents approach you, offer to pay the adoption fee at a local shelter for her to get a new pet if only to ease your own conscience. ( Consider it as paying a late adoption fee for your beloved feline.) Any fellow pet lover would understand if it has spent more time with you that the previous owners. The only reason I would give the animal back would be the off chance that it belonged to a relative who passed away.
It is a shame that it is a child, but adults need to assume responsibility for pets and realize they are a living thing and not another toy for a child.
2007-02-16 07:05:44 · answer #2 · answered by Amy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
From your description this cat was a stray with no one taking care of it, except for other kind folks in the complex. No one claimed ownership. You spent a lot of money on the kitty, it is yours. I'm sorry for the little girl but her parents are not responsible pet owners. If they offer to pay the vet bill, tell them to go to a shelter and get her another kitty. I feel bad for any other kitty they might get. Shelters around here won't adopt out if you are going to let the cat outside and some of them do check. If you don't abide by the adoption rules, they take the animal back.
2007-02-16 06:49:10 · answer #3 · answered by lilith663 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would wait and see what the parents say. Apparently the little girl wasnt too concerned if she just now came looking for the cat after almost 6 months of it being gone. If the parents do say it is theirs you will probably have to give it back, however you might be able to fight it saying that you have the medical records and have been the primary caregivers of the cat since September. I would ask the parents if instead of paying you back for the medical expenses (which they should if they expect to get the cat back) tell them that they could go to the humane society or animal shelter and adopt a kitten or cat for a lot less than they would owe you. Also you might ask your vet if he/she has had any similar cases and what happened. They might be able to tell you if the cat would be yours or if you would have to give it back. well that is what my guess is as to what you all could do. I hope you get to keep your cat. Good luck
2007-02-16 06:40:56 · answer #4 · answered by Ryne's proud mommy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would keep the cat. The "little" girl is obviously too young to care for a cat so her parents are the ones that should be looking after it....... if the parents wanted it back I think that they would of already come knocking.
They should of put up a "Missing Cat" flier.
It is obviously that you love the cat and are/would take better care of it.
2007-02-16 06:45:09 · answer #5 · answered by Shine 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they have no proof of ownership, such as vet bills etc, they have no claim to the animal. Well done for take the time and money to tend to the cat.
A few months ago, I found a lil dog hiding in the bushes of our yard. The dog was terribly underweight,dirty and scared to death. We brought her in and cleaned her up. Took her the next day to see if she had a microchip. Unfortunately she did, but the proper owners, when called, said keep her we don't want her.
We were able to get the microchip information changed to our names and address, and got her current on all her shots. Since you did all those steps, the cat is yours.
2007-02-16 07:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by bratty brat 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would tell the little girl,as gently as you can, that the kitty chose to live with you and that she belongs to you and you love her, but she could stop by and visit with her , if she likes. If the parents show up to dispute, I would ask to see vet bills and proof that the cats was theirs, and have yours ready to take out when they fail to present you with theirs. If they offer you money, like you said, tell them you are attached and you have been caring for the cat because she was just wandering around outside everyday and you dont want to give her up. If all else fails, try to avoid the little girl as much as possible.
2007-02-16 07:09:07 · answer #7 · answered by Mollyruby 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a long time for the kid not to show up and ask for the cat. Talk with her parents and see if they will accept a replacement, and explain all of the money you've spent. The kid might pout for a little while, but the parents will understand.
2007-02-16 06:46:38 · answer #8 · answered by jframeisu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her to go to a shelter and get a cat. There are plenty that need good homes. If her parents show up, tell them how much you have spent on this cat, how long you have had her and how attached you are. Then tell them to sue you. They will need proof of ownership. That will be the last you hear about it.
2007-02-16 06:40:17 · answer #9 · answered by notyou311 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check with your local animal control officer to find out more information. If the cat was not properly being cared for and living outside odds are ti would of been caught taken to animal control and put to sleep if no one adopted it do not let it go back into these neglectful owners hands!
2007-02-16 06:38:12 · answer #10 · answered by Chris 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋