Very wise, yes, though FWIW I would suspect that after a few days of
adjustment your daughter's cat will get along just fine.

=O.o=

DISCLAIMER: IANAL

A threat to sue is arbitrary, a suit for possession of a cat will probably
be directed to small claims.  Please don't consider it legal advice - take
it with a grain of salt.  My legal advice is this: talk to an attorney or
legal aid if you get served.

Simply put, familiarity breeds contentment, but the cats can adjust very
well. We moved from a studio to a one bed a couple of years ago, and had
no problem with the move above and beyond the fact that our cats (four of
them at the time - Aggie, the two orange cats, and one long haired black
with a locket who preferred to be left alone) spent a couple of days
readjusting. The circumstances are a bit different for you, but for
whatever this is worth, when we took in Neresse back in March 2002 (thus
increasing our population to five), the usual territorial disputes ensued
and quickly died down.  Our breeding activities are moot in this regard -
all the kittens grew up in house, thereby having the family being very
familiar with each other.

The thoroughfare is not an issue unless kitty spends any amount of time
outdoors.

In the end, though, you mention it's your daughter's cat.  It's my
staunch opinion that it should be left entirely up to her.  If she can
make the decision to move, she should make the decision about the cat.

I sincerely apologize if this is a disappointment, Jay, but I'm going off
of my own experiences and putting up theory.  

Unless there is more information that you did not include, the fact that "Dad"
lives near a major thoroughfare and has other pets doesn't make it an unfit
home. Those are both workable situations if "Dad" is conscientious enough to
*make* it work.
On the other hand, is it possible that Kitty is simply being used as a pawn for
adult grudges? If so, and if you truly don't think it's a fit home, hold out
and *let* Dad spend his money on attorneys to reclaim the cat. He'll probably
give up before anything comes of it.
But, for appropriate information on how to present a case to a judge that you
are the rightful owner, you'll have to hire a lawyer of your own.
IMO, this sounds like a collosal waste of time and money.
How old iis the daughter? Old enough to have any say in the matter?

Sherry

 Hi Jay,
    I'm sorry you are all in this situation. What sort of
documentation are you looking for ? Sonmething from a cat behaviour
book or a web site?
 From the cats point of view, I think he would be better off staying
where he is.
Alison

Cats are property under the law.  The only legal question, given no
animal cruelty, is who owns the cat.  If the cat belongs to your
daughter, then she has every right to have her cat.  Give her back her
cat and don't use the animal as a weapon in a dispute with her father.

While the cat may in theory be considered to be your daughter's, she is
obviously a minor without the financial ability to take care of vet
visits, food and litter supplies, etc. If you have adoption records, vet
records, a rabies tag, license, etc. that list "you" as the owner of the
cat then the "Dad" really doesn't have a leg to stand on. In most states
cats are considered property and if you have records that prove you own
the cat he's likely  SOL.

This really sounds like he is being  jerk for the sake of being a jerk,
and is just trying to intimidate you. Let him sue, then you prove
ownership and be done with it. From what you describe I agree with your
assessment of what's best for the cat and your is a safre environment.
You should stick to your guns and not give the cat up. If you did and
she was killed by a car you would never forgive yourself.

In the meantime I would seriously consider making this cat an indoor
cat, otherwise there's nothing stopping him from coming over to your
house and making her "disappear."

Megan

                                   

Our young daughter moved out of the house to her Dad's house. (long
story) We decided that it was in the best interest of her cat, who
knows noplace else but our house, neighborhood and animals around to
remain with us. As well as her Dad having other animals, cats and
dogs, they also live fairly close to a major thouroughfair. Given all
this information we decided, for the welfare of the cat, to keep it
with us. Now, of all the absurd things, her Dad is threatening to sue
us for custody of the cat!!! Yes, really! We would like some
documentation that it in the cats best interest to remain with us.
Does anyone know who should we talk to or where we should go for
appropriate information?
Thanks
Jay

A couple questions. How old is the daughter? If the daughter is a minor who
aquired the cat for her? Has the cat ever been around other animals? How old
is the cat?

And a question I don't need the answer to but you should honestly consider -
What is your real objection to letting the kitty live with your daughter? Is
it really concern for the cat?

W