Help! Neighbour trying to steal my cat!!

foreign_correspondent

Perhaps, as it appear, initially at least, that the lady did take your cat in with all good intentions, maybe you need to speak to her, and explain that you understand her motivation was from kindness, but that your cat is already well catered for, but that she may like to rescue a siamese that does really need a home and give her the details of the website Lowis posted?

Paparika

Frugalista wrote: »

The cats don't live outside. When I said they were outdoor cats I meant that because we are surrounded by fields and safe from traffic, they are allowed outside to hunt, play, climb trees, etc. They come in to be fed and sleep inside at night. I keep them in at night because of foxes, badgers, owls, etc.

I am astonished at the amount of posters who think I should just give my pet up with a shrug of my shoulders. If I had posted that I couldn't be bothered to feed him, take him to the vets, or generally neglect and abandon him you would all be down on me like a ton of bricks!

Well you could force your cat to stay in your house 24/7

bellrooster

Hi Frugalista

I think the woman who took your cat was very wrong in doing so, and if it was an mistake on her part she should have shooed the cat away, and explained the situation to you as soon as possible.

Yes, cats do choose their own homes, but you can encourage this which it seems this lady did.

I don't agree with any of the posters that say that this lady should just let her cat go - it's absurd, she obviously loves her cat as part of her family and she should try and get it back!

I lived with my Mum a few years ago and we 'acquired' 3 cats, I say acquired as we helped out someone who works with the cats protection league and each of them came with problems, some of them dietary (fat cats).

We spent a lot of money on special 'diet' cat food for them and they never lost weight, we found out later that it was because a neighbour was feeding them aswell. We asked them not to, but we know they still do. and I think this is very very wrong.. (cat lovers will know the effects overweightness can do to cats)

so OP, stand your ground!! it's YOUR cat.. boooo to your horrible neighbour

mouseymousey99

No she's not a horrible neighbour. People do dump cats - you think people don't dump pedigree's? Are you at home with the cat? Cats are very sociable animals and as others have said they will wonder back to the house they consider 'home'. I really think (as you have posted for advice) you need to talk to the lady (nicely). My neighbours cat moved in with me - we talked to each other and now he comes and goes as he wants. If he is ill we share the vet bills. Is this really worth starting a war for? Hard to follow the thread as bits have been edited. If the lady has wormed and frontlined your cat she cares for it. If you live in a rural area the neighbour could be a good friend, my neighbour and I share keys etc. If you wade in like flynn you risk isolation and will spend oodles of money. I think another poster pointed out - animals are not property. I would go over with a bottle of wine.......

bellrooster

The OP has said that she's spoken politely to the neighbour 8 times! So it would be safe to assume that this lady knew the cat wasn't dumped.

It's also fair to say that there are people who will encourage other peoples cat's into their home in an effort to keep them for themselves!

I care for my neighbours dog, she's lovely, but I wouldn't give it any medicines.. from what the OP has said, I think the neighbour has acted unfairly.

Stephb1986_2

The fact that she treated the cat with flea stuff is out of order who does she think she is for all she knows it could of been done the day before.

Why should she share her cat at the end of the day this woman hasn't paid for half of the cat.

Tell her that if she carries on feeding it and babying it that you will be consulting a solicitor about it.

yeah cats choose their own home but the OP paid money for this cat why should she lose out because some woman is too dumb to realise that the cat has a owner and its not a dumped cat!!

I'd be pretty cheesed off if someone was trying to nick my dog they would certainly know about it.

Offer to take her to a cat rescue centre and pick a cat that she can have so she isn't going to be feeding yours anymore as she will have her own.

I dont blame the OP for being angry about it as she has told this woman on several occasions not to feed the bloody cat! Its not rocket science!!

OP I hope that this woman starts behaving herself!

Keep us updated!

Steph xx

mouseymousey99

Its a cat a living feeling being not a fridge freezer. If the OP spoke to lady in the same way as the post (& some of these) no wonder the cat left home!
'Behaving herself' - what - caring for an animal?? What a cruel cold selfish attitude. The cat is alive its not property.
'keep them for themselves' oh get real, if the lady wanted another cat she would have gone to a rehoming place to get one.
I'm going to leave this thread - I think you can see why...common sense out of the window..

Mutter_2

A cat is a cat. Oh and the "play in the fields" How cute.
If you want a true companion, get a dog.
A cat is a user, a dog is a giver.

Cats are killers. YOU who live in the country should know better.
Your cat and other mogs is probably responsible for dozens. maybe hundreds of wildlife being killed every night.
If you want a true companion, get a dog.
A cat is a user, a dog is a giver.
If you want a true companion, get a dog.
A cat is a user, a dog is a giver.Please keep your cat at home at night.
Thankyou.

wickychoo

Actually, legally an animal is "property", as the OP has said she is his legal owner and thus responsible for him if he causes damage/gets injured and requires treatment.

Cats can and do roam at will but equally they still "belong" to someone. If that someone cares for them, provides for them and wants them, there is no reason why this woman should continue to keep the cat at her place, that *is* theft.

OP, it sounds like you're doing all you can do. If this woman has been told time and time again but chooses to ignore you, then a letter would be in order. In the mean time, get some earplugs and lots of toys and keep them amused and inside for a while..

What are some of you other posters on? A cat can be a wonderful companion and all animals deserve to be treated well and loved, but you can't give an animal the "right" to choose where it wants to live, it doesn't have that capacity. Its a cat, it doesn't have that level of self awareness/consciousness. The only failure of common sense here are the people who think its ok for someone to just take something of high value, that someone else cares for, and keep it for themselves. Its like someone taking your car because you left the keys in it. Its theft.

blue_monkey_2

Did you not say your cat was microchipped already OP? So she could have taken it to the vets to be scanned when she 'found' it and then returned the cat.

She needs a letter, she has already been told enough times.

If it was a child would it be different? If a child was let out to play and the neighbour was luring it in with sweets and letting the child in their house without telling you......

The cat is part of this ladies family and it is not acceptable for someone else to take him - more so when she has been asked on a number of occasions not to.

OP, I suggest you write, sending it via Special Delivery so you can prove she got it, and tell her that if she is found with your cat again then you will be contacting a solicitor to take further action (and quote the things you CAB said to you). In the meantime find out if your Household/Union/Pet Insurance will cover you for something like this.