Opinions wanted: Is owner responsible ?

Question

I answered a question recently regarding a male unneutered cat that was allowed outside and thus created a litter of feral kittens. The owner emailed me saying that she is no way responsible for this because the female cat he got pregnant came into her cats territory.

I'm simply flabbergasted that anyone can be this clueless.
I wanted to see how many reasonable people really answer questions here so here it goes..

Is the owner of an unfixed cat responsible for and at fault for kittens being created by said cat?

Yes..it does take two to tango but where does it end? The other female cat was feral, a product of 2 other unfixed cats. The cycle keeps going if nobody bothers to neuter or spay. The cats can't be responsible..they are animals.

laurel...I am not blaming the cat..he is just an animal. Did you even read my post? I am blaming the OWNER.

Answer 1

You are correct in saying it is the owner's responsibility. She is responsible for her cat's behaviour. Not having him neutered is gross negligence.
Not only is she responsible for the increase in wild cat population, which impacts on the native fauna, but she is responsible for the cat's injuries he will incur and inflict as he wanders around his (increasing) territory.
She will also have to contend with the increase in possibility of cancers and other illnesses that beset entire tom cats.
There are far too many unwanted cats and kittens in the world as it is. Humans have to take responsibility for their pets and their welfare.

laurel - there are rules in regard to keeping cats on the owner's property. Well there are here in Australia. But cats can't read so the owner is responsible.

Answer 2

If the owners of the cats didn't show enough responsibility to get the cats fixed in the first place than it seems only fair that the owners take the hit for the litter of kittens. Allowing an unfixed cat male or female to roam about the neighborhood is a bad idea to begin with. And what's to say that their cat didn't go into the other cats territory? They need to grow up and take ownership, and find those new kittens homes and medical attention. And this response goes to both owners, not either or individually.

Answer 3

A female cat cannot get pregnant unless there is an unneutered male available so yes she is absolutely responsible for this. The cats don't know any better but we do.

pretty_brown_eyez77:
I think it's a wonderful thing for you to take in the cat and give him a home. I'm curious though as to why you're against neutering him? It's a very quick procedure with a very low risk of complications. There are also low cost clinics that can help you if money is an issue. It's not your fault that other cats come into your yard but since the male cat belongs to you you are responsible for providing an unneutered fertile male for them to mate with. It's unfortunate that people throw away their pets but it's harder to find them homes when new ones are being born all the time. Please reconsider neutering him, there are so many benefits for him including better health in the long run.

Answer 4

I agree with both sides.

It is definately the owner of the male cat's fault to let him out when he fathers a litter (if it can be proven).

If the cat is not an indoor cat, and is not a breeding cat, then he should be neutered. What would be the problem to do so. It does not hurt the cat, he will not get into as many fights, he will probably stay closer to home, and most important, he will not be part of the feral breeding population.

BUUTTTT, on the other hand, this woman is also letting her cat outside which would also put her in a responsible area as well. It is not behind a fence in her backyard, this cat also has free roam of the neighborhood and this woman is letting the cat out, with her ovaries in tact. That is also adding to the feral cat problem.

I believe if a cat is an outside cat it should be spade/neutered and that is that. If the owner is concerned regarding the surgery, if it is a breeding cat then the cat should remain indoors.

Answer 5

Why anyone would let ANY pet outside that hasn't been neutered/spayed is beyond me. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that BOTH pet owners are to blame for their incompetence. If you plan to let your pet outside, plan to get it fixed! I know it's probably not the male cat's owners who will be footing the bill for the vet check-ups on the pregnant cat, or the food costs for the litter of kittens...but this obviously could have been prevented. If a cat is in heat it's going to do what nature intended, and a property line isn't going to stop it.

I would also like to add, that some of these quotes for spaying/neutering are only realistic in certain areas. Where I live you're going to pay at the very least $100 for a neuter and it's always more to have a cat spayed. But money aside, it's the responsible thing to do for your pet.

Answer 6

Cats don't see property lines. Everyone should have their cat fixed. Whether it be male or female makes no difference. The female cat in question might have been feral to start with, she had no one to care enough to bring her in and have it done. So owners of male cats need to pick up that responsibility.

If someone has a male cat and thinks that gets off the hook they should think again. Not only are the males getting the females pregnant (who ALSO should be fixed) but the males are spraying in people's windows and gardens, creating a stench that is impossible to get rid of.

When it's in your house and done by your own cat, it's treatable. When it's outside of your house and stinking up your yard (or house because the windows have been done) and you can't even figure which cat is doing it, it isn't. They spray faster than the treatments dry.

That's not fair to responsible pet owners, land owners, tenants of the properties or anyone who has to smell it. I don't know how many times I've walked somewhere and was overtaken by the smell of cat urine. My sister has always had problems keeping cats out of her windows and her whole basement has that smell. I couldn't imagine. If it was me, I'd probably get so fed up with it I'd trap them and turn them in to the SPCA and let them decide what to do.

I'm not a meanie, I'm an animal lover who has fostered kittens and paid huge vet bills for them when needed, and found them homes. I'm also a responsible pet owner who makes darn sure her pets are not contributing, by having them spayed or neutered. But...Overpopulation has to be dealt with, one way or another.

Answer 7

We've had quite a few cats over the years...Almost all of them stayed both inside and outside...I've never heard of the owner of an unfixed cat being held responsible before...We haven't had an unfixed cat in many, many years except for a couple that only came around for a few days. Most of the time when we had a mother cat and her litter come up nobody even knew who the daddy was...

Answer 8

Honestly, I see two irresponsible pet owners...both the owner of the male cat, but not so much as the fault of the owner of the female cat - c'mon people, it's very obvious when a (female) cat is in heat! It's obnoxiously obvious! If the owner did not want this cat to become impregnated, the cat should have been kept inside under lock and key.

Answer 9

It's the unfixed cats owner to blame! Every one who is not breeding a cat or dog should get them spayed or neutered! You could call your local SPA and tell them,They will contact her to get the cat fixed if he will be out side in Louisiana if they get a report of that they first contact the owner then give them a warning and if it happens again the can charge the owner with unfit care.

Answer 10

Yes. A unfixed cat is a nuisance, not just because of creating new cats. If you allow your intact cat to go outside, you bare 50% of the responsibility if it mates. And 100% responsibility if it ruins your neighbors rose bushes or screws up their cars paint job by walking on it and grinding sand into the paint. Cats should be fixed and they should be kept indoors.