My sister's neighbors went out of town for a week and they left their outside kittens (about 12 weeks old) with no food, water, or caretakers. After they had been gone for about three days, my sister noticed and called me (the cat lover in the family) to see if I had any idea what we could do to save these poor starving and dehydrated cats. My husband went and picked them up and they've been at our house for two days. We've been feeding them, providing water, litter-box training them, and giving them some desperately needed attention.
Our concern comes when the owners come back. Does anyone know if we legally have to give them their cats back? Can we refuse to because they left them for a week without food or water? We don't want to involve animal control if possible because we want to find these kittens good homes without the risk of them being put down.
If anyone knows some good sources for this question, please let me know. We're in Utah, if that helps.
2007-08-25 04:03:23 · 8 answers · asked by katesomes84 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Coodos to you for taking them in and properly caring for them. 12 week old kittens weren't meant to fend for their own outside for peets sake! I wouldn't say anything to them, and just find the kittens new forever homes, these people don't deserve the kittens, they may not even want them. What concerns me is where did the kittens come from? Do they have an unspayed female in the house? If so, there will be more kittens. You could check around for low cost spay and neuter clinics and certificates, I've gotten them for as low as $15.00, which includes spaying, shots, flea treatment, worming. If you find something like this, maybe approach them with it so there won't be anymore kittens. Try to be diplomatic, you know how much it cost but here is an alternative, blah, blah, and there are so many kittens in the country without homes, and so on. Maybe they would take you up on it. Good luck.
2007-08-25 04:16:56 · answer #1 · answered by Joan Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure as far as the neighbors are concerned (which they obviously aren't), the cats found new homes on their own, were run over by a car, or other. They don't care. At all. Period. Your sister could have called the SPCA or Humane Society to come pick them up as well. Animal cruelty/neglect is a serious charge. Personally, I think they should face the same abuse and/or be roped behind a car, naked, and drug behind a truck through the town while being chased by a pack of rabid dingos and a man with a megaphone telling everybody what horrible people they are... but that's just my opinion.
An ownerless life is no life for a cat. =(
2007-08-25 12:03:49 · answer #2 · answered by nepherym 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is so sad.
Maybe you want to check with the neighbor. If the neighbor agrees to give the cat to you, then you can keep it or just give it to Petsmart. Or you could go ask for a cat foundation and donate it.
Unless the neighbor wants the cat still, I don't know. Maybe you should give it back and remind him/her to next time they go on vacation to give the cat to a caretaker.
2007-08-25 11:10:55 · answer #3 · answered by Summertime Love 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They more than likely left them with no food and water hoping they would wander off or die.
I would ask them when they get back from their vacation though.
I do not know the legalities, but if you chose to keep the kittens I would check with your local sheriff's department.
2007-08-25 11:22:21 · answer #4 · answered by Dionannan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't tell you legally what is correct but if they have left them outside with no care then i don't think they will care that they have gone missing. Any chance they will know it is you? If not don't worry. Since your sister lives next door she will be able to tell you her neighbours reaction. If they are concerned they will be asking around. Just wait and see what happens.
2007-08-26 23:12:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will tell you what I would do. Because this is surely an animal neglect case these people can't do anything to you. I would find a good home for them as quickly as possible before they get home. Good luck to you and the kitties!
2007-08-25 11:08:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, GOOD For you for taking them in. You could call animal control and ask them their opinon without giving names or anything. If they see you are taking great care of them, they may want you to keep them instead of having to find a good home. Good for you again.
2007-08-25 11:09:24 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you call the local Humane Society and ask or the ASPCA ?
2007-08-25 11:12:04 · answer #8 · answered by I love winter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋