Would you want to know?

rising_from_the_ashes

I'd want to know too.

One of mine went missing a couple of years ago and it was horrible to think he could be lying hurt somewhere (or worse) - luckily he turned up after a few days (he'd been locked in a garage down the street).

I guess the thought that they may have found a home somewhere else may give some comfort but I think that most people know that in reality this rarely happens.

One of my pals cats went missing several years ago and was never found - she still worries what happened to him and it still causes her a lot of pain and anguish.

If the worst did happen, I'd certainly want to bring them home and lay him to rest here - as others have said, you can then grieve.

jess1974

I'd want to know too if it was my cat, at least then you have some closure and you can say goodbye....

Sublime_2

I would have told her, as this poor woman will always be looking out for her missing cat.

spookylukey

I understand why your friend didn't tell the lady as she was obviously trying to spare her feelings but I would absolutely want to know , if it turned out not to be my cat then the joy of finding them safe and well would overide the upset of thinking they might be dead.

I recently found a cat that had just been hit and killed on the road and knocked on the doors of nearby houses, I found the owner and I swear they thought I had killed their cat but I'd rather have an uncomfortable conversation and let the owners have closure than leave them not knowing

Abbafan1972

I would like to know too....

Saturnalia

I'd want to know the truth too.

Could your friend maybe call/knock at the neighbour's and say she'd found the dead cat after having spoken to her?

geri1965_2

I'd like to know as well. A few months ago now I was walking to work and I saw a dead cat on the pavement

I wrote to the local paper with a description, just in case the cat wasn't chipped and the owner was wondering where it was.

growleygrumps

I would want to know without a doubt. I would always be wondering if my cat had decided to leave home and find a new owner and blame myself for this. If they know they can grieve. One incident that really springs to my mind ,i was driving home from work one day and spotted my cat at the side of the road, obviously i was very upset but picked her up and wrapped her in the dogs blanket, it was very clear she was dead. I buried her in my garden. I was inconsoleable until i looked out of my window and there sat on my windowsill was my Jessie. I felt i owed it to the owner of the deceased cat to let them know so i put an advert in the local post office, a lady called me very distressed and it was her cat she told me even though she is beside herself with grief she was so grateful that i had gone to all the trouble to let her know.

So despite everything IMO i would tell the owner the truth.

GG xx

There_Goes_Trouble

Absloutely I would want to know. If I see a dead cat by the road I always stop and take them to the nearest vet for a microchip scan. If the owners can be contacted then they know what has happened and have the choice of what to do with their pet's body. If they can't be contacted then the vets will keep the body for 7 days before ensuring it is respectfully cremeted. They will also keep details of the cat so if anyone rings they can tell them what happened.

The last cat I pick up off the road turned out to be my neighbors cat - I hadn't recognised him!! They were so grateful to me for taking him to the vets because they knew he'd been handled with respect and not picked up and dumped in a rubbish bin by the council workers, and they had the option to have an individual cremation.

I think it's the not knowing that is the worst, I nearly went out of my mind with worry when my boy went missing for one night a few weeks back!!

If I were you I would advise your friend to ring the lady and tell her she has seen a cat matching her cat's description, she doesn't have to mention when she saw it.

mishkanorman

my oh saw one being hit and killed near our home, we knocked on a few doors but no-one knew whose it was so we took it to our vets who held on to it for a day or so. the owner did the usual ring around and they were able to collect and bury their pet. We received a lovely thankyou card for taking care of their very precious pet in his final moments, it meant a lot to her.

I can understand face to face on the spot would be tough but I think your friend should give her a call and say "on second thoughts"