Woman wants abandoned cat back

HampshireH

sheramber said:

I hope you are getting the kitten neutered asap. 

How many people get kittens , pups , whatever then lose interest when they become adults?

The OP sounds very responsible.

OP good to hear you stood your ground. I think I'd be busy the next time they invited themselves in

jusferbrowsing

She doesn't care about the other cats she had and has made no inroads to finding what happened to them.

Doesn't suggest their cats are much loved and missed pets. Its not a good situation to be getting involved in. I'd be closing the door to future visits.

Froglet

Stupid woman.If she really wants another cat or kitten,suggest she goes to a cat charity and rehomes one of theirs.There are  plenty in need,rather than try and take back  one that's got a perfectly good.home.
Let's hope if she does ,she looks after it a lot better.

TripleH

HampshireH said:

sheramber said:

I hope you are getting the kitten neutered asap. 

How many people get kittens , pups , whatever then lose interest when they become adults?

The OP sounds very responsible.

OP good to hear you stood your ground. I think I'd be busy the next time they invited themselves in

Sadly I think that's the case with our newest member. He was no longer a cute kitten so was ditched.

He is a cute, adorable, friendly (without being overbearing) little chap who seems to win the love of anyone who meets him and likes cats.

Op  I think you need to stand firm, you need to focus on what is best for the cats ling term.

RobM99

Is said cat  =^..^= happy with you? Seems so, job sorted!

TBagpuss

I'd stand firm, tell her that the cat was abandoned and you don't belive that it is in her best interests to 'return' her, but that if the 'owner' is offering to reimbirse you for all ofthe costs incurred then you would be prepared to consider it for the mother cat only, after the reimbursement was made in full and subject to being satisfied that the ct will be properly cared for including you being able to check the home avaiable for it and that it will have proper shelter and that they can commit to sticking to the prescribed food.
Make clear that the kitten has been yours from birth, has bonded with you and your family and is not available. 

I suspect they will back off - £1,000 + for a neutered cat probably won't appeal. They may well start again with another poor kitten. I'd see it differently if the cat had shown any signs of knowing / missing them  but it doesn't sound as though she's bonded to them. 

If thye push, say that you will be getting advice from the RSPCA as you would be uncomfrtable returning the cat to someone who neglected and abandonded it. 

And if mum hasn't already been spayed,get that done ASAP (subject of course to the vet's advice! - same with the kitten as soon as it is big enough. I know my vet saud they can do the op provided the kitten is 2KG or more - I was making enquiries as although my veet said they normally do it at around 6 months old, my kitten is an escape artist so I was asking about getting the spay and microchip done sooner so she could go out, and tht hat what they said (she got done last week and was probably just six months by that time, as i got covid and had to cancel her origina lappointment!) 

Gavin83

I appreciate the comments of the other posters here but ultimately if this person can prove original ownership of the cat (which it sounds like they might be able to) I think you're in a difficult situation. Were they to take you to court and prove ownership I think you'd likely be forced to hand the cat back.

Cats in the eyes of the law are considered property. Therefore I also doubt you'd have any rights to a refund of the vets bills either, in the same way if you took my 'abandoned' car and spent thousands at a mechanic you wouldn't be due that back. I'm not even sure of the legal situation of spaying someone elses cat nor how the kitten situation would work, given they'd likely claim ownership over the kittens as well.

Ultimately I think you need to tread carefully. The best outcome for you would be if they just went away. How you achieve that is your choice. If they were really determined to get the cat back I think you might struggle far more than others on here are suggesting.

Brie

What is easily forgotten is that not everywhere in the world do pets have such a hold on people.  Even where I'm from (which is dreadfully civilised) there can be this idea that an animal like a cat can, quite rightly, fend for itself and doesn't need to be pampered with vaccines, processed food, etc.  That spaying/neutering just limits the number of replacements that will be available when the current crop lives end much too soon.  I expect that she was doing what was normal with a pet from her point of view even if it conflicts with all of ours.  

I would explain, should they return, that you have taken in the cats, rehomed the kittens, paid XXX on all the bills and you don't want to see any of that undone.  Promise that you will give her a kitten from any future litters. (which of course there won't be due to you neutering them all)

photome

Gavin83 said:

I appreciate the comments of the other posters here but ultimately if this person can prove original ownership of the cat (which it sounds like they might be able to) I think you're in a difficult situation. Were they to take you to court and prove ownership I think you'd likely be forced to hand the cat back.

Cats in the eyes of the law are considered property. Therefore I also doubt you'd have any rights to a refund of the vets bills either, in the same way if you took my 'abandoned' car and spent thousands at a mechanic you wouldn't be due that back. I'm not even sure of the legal situation of spaying someone elses cat nor how the kitten situation would work, given they'd likely claim ownership over the kittens as well.

Ultimately I think you need to tread carefully. The best outcome for you would be if they just went away. How you achieve that is your choice. If they were really determined to get the cat back I think you might struggle far more than others on here are suggesting.

What would the RSPCA say in regards to her cat being abandoned ? If she could prove it was her cat then it can be proved she abandoned it

sheramber

photome said:

Gavin83 said:

I appreciate the comments of the other posters here but ultimately if this person can prove original ownership of the cat (which it sounds like they might be able to) I think you're in a difficult situation. Were they to take you to court and prove ownership I think you'd likely be forced to hand the cat back.

Cats in the eyes of the law are considered property. Therefore I also doubt you'd have any rights to a refund of the vets bills either, in the same way if you took my 'abandoned' car and spent thousands at a mechanic you wouldn't be due that back. I'm not even sure of the legal situation of spaying someone elses cat nor how the kitten situation would work, given they'd likely claim ownership over the kittens as well.

Ultimately I think you need to tread carefully. The best outcome for you would be if they just went away. How you achieve that is your choice. If they were really determined to get the cat back I think you might struggle far more than others on here are suggesting.

What would the RSPCA say in regards to her cat being abandoned ? If she could prove it was her cat then it can be proved she abandoned it

She would be liable for prosecution

https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/lost-found-and-feral-cats/found-a-cat

Can I keep a stray cat?

If you find a stray cat, you should first attempt to find their owner. You can keep the cat safe until you do so by offering them shelter and food, but you should get them scanned for a microchip and check any lost and found pages online first.

Once you are sure the cat is stray and doesn’t have a home and owner waiting for them, if you are happy to you can adopt the cat yourself. We would always recommend having them microchipped so if they go roaming again they are more likely to be reunited with you. You can find out more about microchipping on our website.

If you can’t care for the cat yourself, give your local Cats Protection branch or centre a call as we may be able to rehome them for you.