My neighbor, who lives half a mile away, keeps a number of barn cats to catch mice and rats. I don't think he feeds the cats, because one of them has been hanging out on my doorstep all winter, crying for food. I do feed it, but can't adopt it as an indoor cat because of allergies. With spring coming, I also don't want an outdoor cat using my food garden as his litter box. I have been thinking about finding it a home with cat-loving friends, but I can't tell the owner, because he says it's his best hunting cat, even though it spends most of its time on my doorstep. I need to be on good terms with my neighbor. The cat would just "disappear".
Is this an unethical thing to do? I feel so sorry for this cat, who is friendly but very skinny and miserable. The neighbor is a very nice person, too. I know there would be a lot of trouble if he found out I stole his cat. I would welcome ideas and comments.
2007-03-31 06:58:23 · 13 answers · asked by roo285 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Update...
One thing that surprises me is the attitude of the law, that the animal is someone's piece of property. Its rights only seem to matter if extreme cruelty can be proven. I do not belong to any animal-rights groups, yet this situation has made me think long and hard about ethics vs legality. Slavery used to be legal 150 years ago. It was illegal to help a slave escape, yet nowadays we know that those who helped them escape to freedom, did the right thing.
Thank you, everyone, for the thoughtful answers. So many different viewpoints and solutions. I'm a law-abiding person who wants to do the right thing.
2007-04-01 04:03:20 · update #1
does the cat have a collar with tags? If not then he is not registered, plus if he is on your property then you can do whatever you want with him. You can shoot a dog if it is after your livestock and it doesn't matter wether you know who it belongs to or not. This cat is bothering you and you have allergies. It is always on your property. I would give it to someone who will actually take care of it and not starve it. If you ask me, that is animal abuse. I hate it when people starve their cats because they want them to go catch their own dinner. Everyone knows that a well fed cat will catch more mice because it will have the energy.
Besides, cats wander off all the time. Your neighbor shouldn't be surprised if he just disappears one day.
2007-03-31 07:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by Ambie 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Is it unethical to steal your neighbor’s cat and give it away? Yes.
Is it the best thing for the cat? Probably.
I’m not really sure what I would do in your situation. Thinking about it, I would probably take the cat in for a check-up without telling my neighbor. A simple check-up is not extremely expensive, but of course, it’s not free either, so you would need to decide if the cost was worth it to you. If the vet said the cat’s health was in danger, then I would take steps to help it. But, if the vet said that he was a bit skinny, but totally fine and healthy otherwise, I would let things go on as they had been.
It may look skinny to you, but it may just have a naturally slender build. Not only that, but this is not a lazy house cat, it’s a cat that’s out all day roaming and hunting, so of course it will look skinnier than an average cat. Only a professional can tell you if the cat really needs help.
It probably doesn’t come to you because it’s starving, but just because you feed it. It knows that it will get an easy meal at your house. Even a cat who has just had a big meal will gladly have another if it’s tasty enough, and it's probably fallen into the habit of dropping by your house to see what good things you might have for it.
2007-03-31 14:05:35 · answer #2 · answered by Mandy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe it would be unethical for you to give the cat away to cat-loving friends, but since the cat is always at your house, and you feed it, it seems that the owners are being neglectful. With it being a barn cat, you also cannot be sure that it is healthy and disease-free. The most humane thing to do would be to take it to the local animal shelter where there are professionals to evaluate the cats health and whether the cat is being properly taken care of.
2007-03-31 14:15:40 · answer #3 · answered by Judy C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unethical,,,,probably, is it the right thing to do? I say yes, but only b/c I had to do that too, it is an awful situation to be in, but if you are an animal lover and feel forced to step in, what else can one do, you can't be human and let something suffer. My neighbor was an addict, he was run out of town, he had 3 neglected cats I fed all the time anyway. When he left they were locked in his trailer, I called everyone and no one would let these cats out, they sat in the window for 3 days screaming. I had to break in, I released them and fed them for months. Winter came and they almost froze, I had to trap them and keep them in my house. It took me a month to find them homes, 4 months after he left he came back, he had seen one cat left in my window and demanded it back. I said it wasn't his and took it to another home, thank goodness someone was already taking it. They are all well today, fed and happy, but they would have starved to death. DO what your heart says is right, maybe call the SPCA and report the guy if you think the rest are not fed too.
2007-03-31 14:11:35 · answer #4 · answered by Loretta 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your heart seems to be in the right place, but I'm afraid it would be unethical. It is stealing, after all.
If you are worried that the cats are neglected, contact your local animal control. They can investigate and you can remain anonymous.
Understand though, that some cats are just slender, especially those that primarily hunt for their own food. This cat may be hanging out at your place because he knows he can get an easy meal without having to put much effort into it.
2007-03-31 14:04:25 · answer #5 · answered by searchpup 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I think it's unethical that the current owner seems to be underfeeding the cat. I think I'd be inclined to help the cat out, especially if your neighbor has other cats. Have you talked to your neighbor about your concerns; that the cat seems to be underweight? Maybe you should explain the current situation and see what happens.
2007-03-31 15:50:35 · answer #6 · answered by BethS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is unethical and most likely illegal.
If you want the cat to stay away stop feeding it, there should be plenty for it to catch in the spring & summer, and try sprinkling cayanne & black pepper in your garden to stop the cat box problem.
If the cat is a good hunter yet still very skinny it has probably picked up internal parasites from the rodents it catches. You might try worming it a couple of times before you cut off the food supply.
2007-03-31 14:05:02 · answer #7 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm sorry but the cat would just "disappear" if it were in my neighborhood. The neighbor need NOT know what happened, as he don't care enough about it to feed it or give it a proper home, I would definitely find it a good home!!!! End of story!!!! ( Too bad for the uncaring farmer )
2007-03-31 14:32:56 · answer #8 · answered by Kitty Mom 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If the cat is starving, then he is not having much luck as a hunter. And if your neighbor isn't taking care of the cat, then he shouldn't have him.
It might not be ethical, but it is more so than leaving him to be neglected more where he is.
2007-03-31 14:06:25 · answer #9 · answered by Tigger 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's unethical what your neighbor is doing. Do what you think is the right thing to do for the cat : )
2007-04-01 08:35:50 · answer #10 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋