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Real-life MMD: Should we pay vet's bill for the cat our neighbour stole from us?

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Comments

  • Firstly this shows why I personally would not be a cat owner; they are too independent and you don't own them, they use you.
    Did you know this lady had been chosen to be the cat's new carer and if you did had you spoken to her about having been adopted? If she accepted her role as new carer that's what she should do.
    You possibly have some idea of her financial situation and how difficult (or not) it may be for her to meet the vet's bill. If her request is genuine you could make a goodwill contribution. If you feel she may be trying it on you could ask her if she's enjoyed the companionship and whilst paying the vet's bill charge her the same amount for the company she's enjoyed!
  • You're asking this question?!!! I cannot believe you are letting any cat suffer whilst sitting at your computer and asking this question to MSE instead of rushing round, seeing what's wrong with the cat and if necessary, taking it straight to the vets for treatment.

    How could you not do so?! It's an animal. It needs help.

    Anyone with a heart would do so immediately.

    Apart from that legally you do not own your cat. No cat is owned. They are a free species because they are well known to choose who they want to live with.

    Ask the woman for proof she cannot afford the vets bill if you want, check her bank statements - see where her money is going or if she is really on a pittance of a pension and if she is PAY UP.

    I can't believe you're asking this question.

    I hope you never have children. Where is your heart?!
  • florere
    florere Posts: 104 Forumite
    The cat chose the old lady, she encouraged it by feeding it, it's her responsibility, she could always go to the PDSA. You should contact the chipping company to tell them that the cat has chosen a new home.
  • florere
    florere Posts: 104 Forumite
    Person_one wrote: »
    I've never had a cat.

    All my animals have been kept for their whole natural lives and I took responsibility for them from the day they arrived to the day they died. I thought that's what you did when you got a pet, not just casually replace it without a thought when it disappears.

    You don't have a cat, the cat has you, for as long as it suits, and if it finds a home that suits it better it will go.
  • m00min
    m00min Posts: 47 Forumite
    Thin end of the wedge.....next thing you know, the liitle old lady will start asking for contributions towards feeding the cat.

    And I bet it poos in your garden and not hers
  • m00min
    m00min Posts: 47 Forumite
    You're asking this question?!!! I cannot believe you are letting any cat suffer whilst sitting at your computer and asking this question to MSE instead of rushing round, seeing what's wrong with the cat and if necessary, taking it straight to the vets for treatment.

    How could you not do so?! It's an animal. It needs help.

    Anyone with a heart would do so immediately.

    Apart from that legally you do not own your cat. No cat is owned. They are a free species because they are well known to choose who they want to live with.

    Ask the woman for proof she cannot afford the vets bill if you want, check her bank statements - see where her money is going or if she is really on a pittance of a pension and if she is PAY UP.

    I can't believe you're asking this question.

    I hope you never have children. Where is your heart?!

    Right, so by your logic, any time a neighbour knocks on my door telling that their pet is ill and they can't afford vet fees, I should pay ?

    It wouldn't be long before I couldn't afford my own vet fees...
  • Why is it people think it's o.k. to feed other people's pets?
    If you don't have a cat of your own, lock the cat-flap, & discourage animals from coming in.
    If I saw a child walking down the street and offered it sweets to come round my house, what would people think then.....

    As far as the dillemma, no, you shouldn't feel like you have to pay anything....
  • I hope you never have children. Where is your heart?!

    Wow what a thing to say! Quite unjustified.

    I doubt that this single incident has any bearing or is a reflection on parenting skills.
    There will always be obstacles in your way. It's not IF you remove them but HOW!


    Calling me stupid doesn't make you smarter
  • Person_one
    Person_one Posts: 28,884 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    florere wrote: »
    You don't have a cat, the cat has you, for as long as it suits, and if it finds a home that suits it better it will go.

    But people pay for cats, feed them, insure them, microchip them, give them a name, lots of clues there that they have taken responsibility for the animal.
  • Personally...

    We did exactly the same as the lady did with a cat in my street..
    Her owners were neglectful and had 2 dogs, and were completely uniterested in Missy, she turned up at our house and stayed ever since (6 years on).

    We pay for her food, we pay for her to go to the cattery when we go away and we damn well pay for her vets bills as she is OUR cat now. If we didnt want a cat, and we weren't prepared to pay the vets bills we wouldnt have took her on.

    Like this woman should not have took your cat on if she had no intention of PROPERLY looking after her. (Properly looking after any pet quite obviously includes any medical treatment needed.)
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