How is not finding your cat than ran away considered neglect?

Question

have two great cats I spoil to death.

adopted a feral cat that has always remained hostile and scared since we met him. Hoped giving a home would make him happy. He never warmed up. Bit people and scratched, and fought with my other 2 cats regularly.

Ran out the door about a week ago and never looked back. I attempted to look for him, but no luck.

This cat was clearly wild and was already street smart when they captured him. I don't fear for his survival based on that experience he's already had. He is fixed and has his shots, at least.

I'm not going to keep looking for something that doesn't want us and was so violent. If I happen across him, I'll do what I can for him, otherwise, I'm just wishing him well. Is that terribly wrong

I haven't called the adoption people. I know I should, but I don't feel motivated to help find him. I looked around the neighborhood, I put up some signs and told some neighbors, but thats as far as I've gone.

As far as the adpotion place doing a search-n-rescue operation, thats more than I'm really motivated to do at this time.

If the cat turns up, I'll deal with it. Otherwise, good luck to it.

Answer 1

Heather, the question was in the title and halfway down he ask if it was terribly wrong. And he states it was fixed and had its shots (about 10th line or so).

Anyways... The Cat Adopt people may feel different, but the way I see it is, the cat wanted to be free. It didn't want a home. It had all its vet care stuff done.

It wanted out and you let it out (by accident but still). You've done what you can. If they got a contract with you, there's really no legal thing that can happen, because they'd have to prove you did something wrong. Just opening the door isn't illegal. You didn't physically toss the cat out, it chose to do that on its own (they'd have to prove otherwise).

Answer 2

Heather...what more can he do? If it doesn't want to be found then it won't be. He's done everything he can, except call in Animal Control and what would they do? Scour the countryside 24/7?

Most of your arguments can apply to any animal, including wild animals, like squirrels and deer. Should we be catching them too?

In my case, I'd have to "neglect" my other pets and children to look through the woods behind my house for hours on end, which is dangerous to both me and the people & pets I'd be neglecting in my search for a feral cat that doesn't want to be found. If this cat was already wild when they found it, then I'm pretty sure it knows how to defend, feed and shelter itself, like any other animal does.

Do you show as much concern for homeless humans as you do for feral cats?

Answer 3

I have to disagree with everyone saying this is not neglect. A cat doesn't know what is best for it. Where do you live, does it get cold in the winter? Will the cat be able to find water? What about food? How about when it is storming outside, will it find shelter? Those are just the necessities for life. How about when the cat gets in a fight or becomes injured in another way, that will most likely lead to an infection that without human intervention can easily lead to suffering and death. Lets not even get into the thoughts of the kitty getting run over by a car, catching diseases (long term if kitty lives that long), being hunted by predators, living a life of fear, etc.

Also, how many folks do you know that love to have a stray cat hanging around their house uninvited? Usually they get into your garbage and cause messes and make a nuisance of themselves. Most folks decide to hurt the cat to get rid of it for good.

When you decided to take this cat in you made a decision to take care of it for it's life...or find it another home. That's our responsibility to animals. You are (at least) neglecting your responsibilities by letting it run free. If you're not going to look for the animal you could at least make a phone call to the Humane Society and tell them to come and catch it....give the animal a chance.

Answer 4

Oh not a problem i introduced my new kitten, Shiloh, to my 11year old cat,lucky, about 6 months ago they hated eachother at the start they hissed at eachother and stayed at different parts of the room but after about 2 weeks they were sleeping in the same bed togerther and eating together now that Shiloh is 7 months old they are inseperable. Lucky cleans Shiloh and they are best friends. So just be patient they will warm up to eachother.:) hope this helps Rach xoxo

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry about it. Cats are tough animals. Well, most cats are tough animals. There are always those overly pampered, spoiled cats who couldn't defend themselves to save their lives. Sounds like this one is definitely not in that category though. Cats were in the wild for years and years before becoming domesticated, and yes, their temperaments have changed a bit since becoming domesticated, but they still have their basic instincts and aren't going to willingly put themselves in harms way. You've done everything (and more, in my opinion) that you can and should do, so continue wishing him well and then put him out of your mind.

Answer 6

It's a cat that was already wild, the chances of locating it and catching it are like the odds to win the lottery....it's not neglect, you got the little guy fixed and his shots so at least he is not going to be out there creating more kittens...cats are notorious for wandering far and wide so I don't consider that neglect, especially since he was wild and escaped....I consider it neglect allowing tame cats outdoors to fend for themselves and not giving them proper care.

Answer 7

I don't see a question in here anywhere?

I agree with you, though. Clearly this cat is feral and more comfortable outside. Let's hope it's fixed, so that it doesn't contribute to the already overwhelming number of stray cats out there, but other than that, he doesn't really want a family.

Answer 8

If you put signs and asked around, I believe you've done enough. I don't think it's terribly wrong.
The cat is probably not used to being domestic and probably never will get used either.

Answer 9

If the cat shows up, take him to a no-kill shelter. That's the best you can do.

Answer 10

Wild cats can survive in the wild. Try your best to find him, but know he will be alright....