I would think that you would tell the police and the SPCA so that you can go
into the home and rescue the cats. Also, if you have an attorney, I would
contact him or her.
Gail

Yes, please report this to the SPCA or your city's animal control
organization.  They can check to see if the cats are in the house
and have food and water available.  They may need to have a police
escort them in, but it is their job to check for animal abuse or
neglect.  Please call them ASAP!

Thanks for thinking of the cats.  I already don't like your wife if
she is capable of doing such a horrible thing to pets!

Michelle

 This is kind of a big thing (but I'm an activist type) for after the
immidiate problem is resolved (atternery has been contacted, SPCA is on
the case, perhaps animal-neglect charges are filed, etc): Write to state
lawmakers and local news channels, and try to raise the issue of
"Divorce/Animal Abandonment" with the populace at large.  Here in
Indiana, after the two IU cretins burned that cat a number of years ago,
there was a rather large public outcry, leading to animal-cruelty laws
being changed.  Perhaps you could push for something similar, like
treating animal neglect in divorce custody proceedings with similar
"weight" as child neglect is.

Disclaimer:  I am not a lawyer, so take what I saw with a large grain of
salt.  Just something to think about - after the cats are safe.w

Jim

...> Has anyone been through this? If I can't get access to the home and she
has

For the fastest action, I agree with other posters that you need to notify
the police and whatever animal protection agency is in the area to look into
the situation. Be sure to let them know that you want to claim the cats, but
are unable to get access because of the court order.
Has the division of property been finalized?  Couldn't you declare the cats
your property and get them permanently that way?  Ask your attorney what
your rights are.
Good luck and please let us know how it goes.
Annie

I would contact the SPCA or any authority in your state that can go in and
check on the well being of the animals. They would probably need a police
escort. I'd also talk to the court or have your lawyer do it. If you tell
them what you found in regards to them being abandoned for several days
without food and not too much water, they will probably be able to issue a
warrant allowing access for you to get the cats. Of course the police would
need to escort you. I would act now and not wait. It is great you thought of
the cats and there well being. Your wife sounds like a terrible person.

I would highly recommend hiring a lawyer immediately.
________
See my cats:  http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

So you've been to your home for 20 minutes with a police escort. Have
you checked your cats during that time? Did you tell the police escort
about the cats? Do that first before wasting any more time posting
here.

Get a lawyer like Paws suggests.  If she is no longer living there, you
can probably have the restraining order overturned, especially if there is
no apparent danger.  In short, APPEAL THE RESTRAINING ORDER.