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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / August 2004Rescued cat, angry neighbour
For the past month there had been a new cat hanging around the outside of our house. He would spend long days sleeping in our garden and was even around at nighttime. I enquired with a neighbour friend and they told me that a lady who was renting a basement apartment in the house across the street never took her cat with her when she moved out, and so now they cat was just wandering around. This cat is neutered AND declawed. So I thought I would do a good thing and take this cat to our local no-kill animal shelter. Three days later (today), the neighbour from across the street shows up at my door absolutely livid, saying that I "kidnapped" their cat. Yes, the lady who previously owned the cat did move away, but the people living in the house had taken in the cat. I expressed to him that the cat had been sleeping in my garden and didn't seem to be taken care of because I had fed him several times... so I did what any animal lover would do (besides taking the cat in myself) and brought the cat to be adopted. I felt bad so I agreed to pay half the "claim" fee at the adoption agency. Well later on his wife called me back and was completely rude saying that I had better figure out a way to get her cat back by Monday or else she is going to call the police. Hmmmm. I explained to her that not being the owner of the cat, there is no way I can get the cat back and that she must go herself. I told her that I had agreed with her husband to pay half the fee..... then she says "No there is no deal... I'm not paying anything... you had better get my cat back or else". Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to think you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. Thanks. I say they have no recourse unless they can prove ownership. Was the cat microchipped? do they have any vet bills for *that* cat (our vet has a brief description of the pet on every bill)? Rabies tag? State or county license tag (where applicable - some states/counties require them, others do not). If they have none of these, then they have no legal ground to stand on, and will get nowhere in a court of law. I'd say they are more into possessions than pets/companions, otherwise why did it take 3 days for them to notice the cat was gone? They would be better off with the type of cat that can be acquired at the local toy store.  SignatureThe ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)? email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep > For the past month there had been a new cat hanging around the outside of > our house. He would spend long days sleeping in our garden and was even [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Thanks. > I say they have no recourse unless they can prove ownership. Was the cat > microchipped? do they have any vet bills for *that* cat (our vet has a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > did it take 3 days for them to notice the cat was gone? They would be > better off with the type of cat that can be acquired at the local toy store. Better question: is there a leash law there? > > I say they have no recourse unless they can prove ownership. Was the cat > > microchipped? do they have any vet bills for *that* cat (our vet has a [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Better question: is there a leash law there? No I'm in Ontario Canada. Many people have cats that are indoor/outdoor. But this one was outdoors probably 18 hours of the day, if it was in fact owned. If you're in Ontario Canada (so am I) then the neighbour would have the cat's licence since it's been law for the last 6 years or so. You were just doing what you thought was best for the cat and if the woman gave a sh.t, she could see that. As for threats of the cops... tell her to get over herself. SHE is the one that would have to explain just what " OR ELSE" meant to them if they did show up. Just in case, keep a log of calls, visits and exactly what was said. The cops will likely tell her to take a hike if she does call. What is the fee that has to be paid? Would the shelter give the cat back at a reduced rate because of the circumstances? Good luck with it Signaturerach > > > I say they have no recourse unless they can prove ownership. Was the > cat [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > But this one was outdoors probably 18 hours of the day, if it was in fact > owned. I'm not sure what the fee is. I would think that it's no more than 30-40 dollars. Okay so you've all convinced me that I'm going to refuse to even pitch in half. We'll be seeing what happens tomorrow and I'll be sure to come back with an update. Thanks everyone. > If you're in Ontario Canada (so am I) then the neighbour would have the > cat's licence since it's been law for the last 6 years or so. You were just [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > But this one was outdoors probably 18 hours of the day, if it was in fact > > owned. Good luck and keep us updated. Signaturerach > I'm not sure what the fee is. I would think that it's no more than 30-40 > dollars. [quoted text clipped - 54 lines] > fact > > > owned. >If you're in Ontario Canada (so am I) then the neighbour would have the >cat's licence since it's been law for the last 6 years or so I'm also in Ontario and that is just a municipality regulation. -mhd Well the "owner" admitted to me that the cat "comes in 3 times a day to eat". The rest of the time the cat is outside. <shakes head> > I say they have no recourse unless they can prove ownership. Was the cat > microchipped? do they have any vet bills for *that* cat (our vet has a [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > > > Thanks. > For the past month there had been a new cat hanging around the outside of > our house. He would spend long days sleeping in our garden and was even [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Thanks. I don't have any advice, but... if she is so attached to this cat, then why the hell is she demanding that you somehow get the cat back, instead of marching over to the shelter _herself_, pronto, & explaining the situation to the staff? And not wanting to compromise & pay anything? I don't know what her problem is, but this just doesn't add up, IMO. Cathy > I don't have any advice, but... if she is so attached to this cat, then why > the hell is she demanding that you somehow get the cat back, instead of [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Cathy Exactly what I'm thinking. Why not just pay half and be done with it, instead of blowing off about calling the police and all this crap. In which case the police will do nothing anyway because I didn't steal the cat in any stretch of the imagination. He's not in my possession. He was assumed a stray and taken to a shelter. Period. End of story. But for some weird reason she keeps insisting that I must have known it was their cat, since he was in such "good condition". Give me a break. I've seen hundreds of cats dumped by their owners that look in great condition because they were only recently abandoned. I've decided I'm going to call the shelter on Monday, see if they will waive the claim fee (being a previous volunteer I know one of the adoption clerks rather well).... but if not, give the owner one more chance to accept me paying half. If not, there's nothing else I'm doing for her. She can call her lawyer or the police or whatever she wants to do. Although I would much rather it didn't come down to that. > She can call >her lawyer or the police or whatever she wants to do. Although I would much >rather it didn't come down to that. I'm guessing she won't call a lawyer if she won't pay a reclaim fee. A lawyer would cost a ton of $$$. She really sounds like she's turned the whole deal into a control issue. >From: "Kelly" none@goaway.com >I've decided I'm going to call the shelter on Monday, see if they will waive >the claim fee (being a previous volunteer I know one of the adoption clerks >rather well).... but if not, give the owner one more chance to accept me >paying half. If not, there's nothing else I'm doing for her. She can call >her lawyer or the police or whatever she wants to do. Although I would much >rather it didn't come down to that. I think you did a good thing by taking the cat in. If she loves this cat so much, why in hell would she let a declawed cat outside? Ugh Lauren ________ 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.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > > I don't have any advice, but... if she is so attached to this cat, then > why [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > her lawyer or the police or whatever she wants to do. Although I would much > rather it didn't come down to that. Well, if it were our shelter, she wouldn't get the cat back even if she came in to claim it. She let a defenseless declawed cat outdoors. End of story. She'd be lucky we didn't charge her with animal neglect, even if we couldn't make it stick. Well I was surprised when I called the shelter this morning to be told by the adoption clerk that under the circumstances, it doesn't matter who pays the fee or gets the cat. Either me or the owners. This really shocked me and I was kind of annoyed that she wasn't forcing the owners to make the effort and the pay up... considering the cat was defenceless and outdoors 20 hours of the day. Regardless, I told her I wasn't picking up the cat, nor was I paying the fee. I had previously offered to pay half, but have withdraweled my offer due to the wife's threatening and rude phone call. I was expecting all day for the owners of the cat to call me up asking me where the cat was (Recall the wife's threat to me was that I had better have the cat back to them Monday morning). Monday afternoon rolled around and I figured they're probably at work ( no cars in drive). After I got home from my afternoon shift this evening there were no messages on the phone and no phone calls afterwards. I'm a little perplexed. One of three things are probably going on: 1) They decided it's nice not to having him around eating their catfood so they decided just to give him up. I was told my their next door neighbour that he was been causing a lot of disruption fighting with their outdoor cat and actually injuring him and sending him to the vet. To which the "owner" of the cat said they were probably going to find a new home for him anyway (so why are they causing all this trouble???) 2) They are getting legal advice and might try and sue for the claiming fee. Because I know the police won't pay attention to them, so they will have to settle for small claims court if they want any money out of me. 3) They picked the cat up and paid the claiming fee. Although I haven't seen him around today at all. Anyway, I'll update if anything significant happens. Thanks again. I don't live in Canada but dumping a cat in some places is illegal so a court of law would most like;y side with you. As for this adoption clerk, I'd talk to someone higher at the shelter to explain their rules. As for not hearing from this cat's former humans, they might be embarrassed at this point. It sounds like she is a real bully so I would just stand up to her if she calls. BTW, if she does it might be illegal to harrass you. I'd get a restraining order and have it enforced. It doesn't sound like this woman has grounds to sue her since she did cause this problem. > Well I was surprised when I called the shelter this morning to be told by > the adoption clerk that under the circumstances, it doesn't matter who pays [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Thanks again. What a bummer. I'm glad this is a no-kill shelter. I am not liking these neighbors of yours at all. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. > Well I was surprised when I called the shelter this morning to be told by > the adoption clerk that under the circumstances, it doesn't matter who pays [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Thanks again. They were just blowing hot air. I doubt you will hear anything from them again. I hope kitty finds a good new home FAST. -L. Well the lady still hasn't called. I'm thinking they didn't pick up the cat because I don't see him around outside at all. Or if they picked him up they are keeping him inside (I doubt it). Thanks all > > Well I was surprised when I called the shelter this morning to be told by > > the adoption clerk that under the circumstances, it doesn't matter who pays [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > -L. Kelly, you did the right thing. Your neighbor's wife sounds like a 24-karat b___h. My two cents worth: If it were my problem and she did me the way she did you, I would withdraw my offer because she's already reneged on the deal her husband made with you. If she really wanted the cat, and I doubt that she does, she would not have reneged. She's using this incident against you for reasons known only to her, perhaps to get back at her husband. I would let her husband know about her call to you and explain that under the circumstances, your deal with him is void. You did your best to help rectify the error by offering to pay half but apparently that isn't good enough for his wife. Don't worry about the police -- it's a very good bet it is an empty threat and even if she does call them, the police are not going to do anything to you. I don't know the size of the town you live in, but the police probably won't even send an officer. Such incidents are a civil matter. If I were the cat I would have been sleeping in _your_ garden too -- anything to get away from her. Cats _know_. :-D Good luck with this problem. Please let us know how it turns out. Cheers, George > > [quoted text clipped - 68 lines] > >Cathy > Kelly, you did the right thing. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > made with you. If she really wanted the cat, and I doubt that she does, > she would not have reneged. If she really wanted this cat, she would have gone and GOT it immediately and quibbled about money later or not at all. >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an >animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous >shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to think >you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. > >Thanks. That's tough. It makes you think the cat might end up better off with a new owner, if the neighbor lets it out declawed. Does it have a pretty good chance to get adopted, you think? You did the right thing. If they care enough about the cat, they'll cough up the fee to reclaim it. If she doesn't, she doesn't deserve to have the cat. Call her bluff. Since the cat was on your property, I don't think there's much she can do. Sherry > >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an > >animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Call her bluff. Since the cat was on your property, I don't think there's much > she can do. Well I think she is just threatening to try and scare me into paying the fee and doing all the work for her of picking up the cat. My fiancee was in training for police and says there's nothing they can do legally. I would like to see the cat in a new indoor home, as he is completely adoptable (and young, 10 mths). But I know that they will end up getting the cat back and he will once again be in my yard. <sigh> Poor fella. >> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am >> >an [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > adoptable (and young, 10 mths). But I know that they will end up getting > the cat back and he will once again be in my yard. <sigh> Poor fella. Check with the shelter where you took the cat. They should know if there are nuisance laws in your area - which basically means any animal on your property that is NOT YOUR property is a "nuisance" or stray, and can be impounded. If you'd rather see this cat go to a different (and apparently better) home, please don't give in and pay half the fee. That just makes it easier for her to get the cat back, and you're NOT obligated to help her. -> "Sherry " <sriddles@aol.comkitty> wrote in message -> news:20040821234548.05845.00002405@mb-m27.aol.com... -> > >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an -> > >animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous -> > >shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to -> think -> > >you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. -> > > -> > >Thanks. -> > -> > That's tough. It makes you think the cat might end up better off with a -> new -> > owner, if the neighbor lets it out declawed. Does it have a pretty good -> chance -> > to get adopted, you think? -> > You did the right thing. If they care enough about the cat, they'll cough -> up -> > the fee to reclaim it. If she doesn't, she doesn't deserve to have the -> cat. -> > Call her bluff. Since the cat was on your property, I don't think there's -> much -> > she can do. -> -> Well I think she is just threatening to try and scare me into paying the fee -> and doing all the work for her of picking up the cat. My fiancee was in -> training for police and says there's nothing they can do legally. -> -> I would like to see the cat in a new indoor home, as he is completely -> adoptable (and young, 10 mths). But I know that they will end up getting -> the cat back and he will once again be in my yard. <sigh> Poor fella. Well, the next time he "disappears" just deny that you know anything about it. (Make sure you take it to a different shelter!) Signature8^)~~~ Sue (remove the x to e-mail) ~~~~~~ "I reserve the absolute right to be smarter today than I was yesterday." -Adlai Stevenson http://home.earthlink.net/~sme617 ***Revelation 22:12*** ICQ: 349878998 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- From: "Kelly" <none@goaway.com> >I expressed to him that >the cat had been sleeping in my garden and didn't seem to be taken care of >because I had fed him several times. <snip> > It's very frustrating to think >you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. Just ignore the bitch. If she wants the cat back, she can go get him. The fact that she has not done that, yet, speaks volumes to her attachment to this poor kitty. He'd be better off living with someone else. If she calls again, hang up. Or........ Send the bitch a bill for the cat food that you fed "her" cat. And he MUST have done some damage to your garden by sleeping in it.....tack that onto the bill, also. You brought the cat to the shelter.....that's worth a few bucks in gas. One of three things will probably happen: 1) You'll get an angry call saying there's no way she'll pay you any money and you can tell her that you won't persue it in court if you never hear from her, again. 2) You'll never hear from her again. 3) She'll show up at your door, bitching, and you can tell her to get off your property or you'll have her arrested for trespassing.....You'll probably never hear from her, again. Best of luck Disclaimer: The above advice represents the actions that I, personally, would take. But I carry a .40 cal. pistol loaded with hollow points. YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY. >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an >animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous >shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to think >you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. She must show that she legally owns the cat, i.e. microchip, tattoo, purchase/adoption agreement from last owner, collar with tags with her name on it. That's how it works over here. Otherwise she has no legal claim over it. You did nothing wrong. You did the right thing. She shouldn't allow a declaw cat outside anyway. I hope it finds a better home. That neighbor is not a good person. They most certainly shouldn't be mad at you. If they don't want people picking up their cat, they should have tags on it or keep it inside. -> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an -> >animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous -> >shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to think -> >you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. -> > -> She must show that she legally owns the cat, i.e. microchip, tattoo, -> purchase/adoption agreement from last owner, collar with tags with her name -> on -> it. That's how it works over here. Otherwise she has no legal claim over it. -> You did nothing wrong. You did the right thing. She shouldn't allow a declaw -> cat outside anyway. I hope it finds a better home. That neighbor is not a -> good -> person. They most certainly shouldn't be mad at you. If they don't want -> people -> picking up their cat, they should have tags on it or keep it inside. Where I live you have to produce a current rabies certificate before they will release the animal. I don't know what happens if the rabies vaccine isn't current. Signature8^)~~~ Sue (remove the x to e-mail) ~~~~~~ "I reserve the absolute right to be smarter today than I was yesterday." -Adlai Stevenson http://home.earthlink.net/~sme617 ***Revelation 22:12*** ICQ: 349878998 >Where I live you have to produce a current rabies certificate >before they will release the animal. I don't know what happens >if the rabies vaccine isn't current. It probably varies with each animal control, but here the owner pays a fine for no current rabies, then it's reimbursed once they go get the vaccination and bring back proof. Sherry > >Where I live you have to produce a current rabies certificate > >before they will release the animal. I don't know what happens [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Sherry We require proof of rabies (the actual papers from the vet, not just a tag - which could be stolen, borrowed or faked (yes, we've had this happen - everything from rabies to city licenses)), or pre-paid rabies, which is available from Animart, I think. The welfare of the cat is by far more important than anything. Do what is best for the cat and rescind your offer to pay anything. The life this cat had with these people was not a good one (outdoors, neglected, and declawed wih no way to defend itself) and to help in any way to return the cat to such a life would be unconscionable. Plus, if they really wanted the cat they would have already been to the shelter to get it. I myself would happily deal with a pissed off neighbor if it meant that the cat had a better life elsewhere. Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray There is no way one of my cats or the cats of most of the other posters would be sitting in a shelter for one extra second while we go running around picking fights with neighbors. It just wouldn't happen. I agree with one of the other posters that the husband may not be aware of his wife trying to get an extra buck from you. Let him know. The worst that can happen is the woman calls the cops. They arrive at your door to take a report- including your age. They then walk away shaking their heads because they will also know you are dealing with a nut. (For this reason, do not try billing her for food and care of the poor little cat.) You've done all you can do. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. >I agree with one of the other posters that the husband may not be aware of >his wife trying to get an extra buck from you. Let him know. The husband knows the cat isn't home yet. That's all you need to know about the husband. Ignore them, don't pay a cent and just tell them to keep their pets off your property. That should make your liability quite clear to them. Meanwhile tell all your friends about a great cat that needs adopting. -mhd > >I agree with one of the other posters that the husband may not be aware of > >his wife trying to get an extra buck from you. Let him know. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > -mhd I agree with this post. :) > For the past month there had been a new cat hanging around the outside of > our house. He would spend long days sleeping in our garden and was even [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > do (besides taking the cat in myself) and brought the cat to be adopted. I > felt bad so I agreed to pay half the "claim" fee at the adoption agency. Most adoption agencies I have worked at wouldn't let them have the cat back. It wasn't lost - it was a habitual rogue cat. > Well later on his wife called me back and was completely rude saying that I > had better figure out a way to get her cat back by Monday or else she is [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > fee..... then she says "No there is no deal... I'm not paying anything... > you had better get my cat back or else". Tell her if she had kept her cat inside, it wouldn't have been an issue. You were well within your legal rights to do as you did. > Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an > animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous > shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to think > you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. I'd kindly tell them to go f.ck themselves, and then let them call the po-lice. The cops will side with you. Don't sweat it - you did the right thing. -L. If this woman abandoned the cat then she should not have any claims to him. I would tell this lady to call the police and maybe have her explain why she abandoned the cat which in some places is animal cruelty and against the law. You did the right thing. Of course it might have been better solved if you had gone over to talk to the neighbor across the street who rented the basement space to the woman first. Of course being declawed the cat should not have been outside in the first place. You were generous to pay half the fee to get the cat back but this woman obviously cared more about the money than the cat. Let her make the threats because that is all she can do at this point. The cat seems to have a better chance at life getting adopted into a loving family than this woman. I would not feel bad about this. > For the past month there had been a new cat hanging around the outside of > our house. He would spend long days sleeping in our garden and was even [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Thanks. >f this woman abandoned the cat then she should not have any claims to him. The woman is NOT the same one who originally abandoned the cat. >I would tell this lady to call the police and maybe have her explain why she >abandoned the cat which in some places is animal cruelty and against the >law. She TOOK THE CAT IN, not abandoned it. You did the right thing. Of course it might have been better solved if >you had gone over to talk to the neighbor across the street who rented the >basement space to the woman first. That's the woman who wants the cat back, idiot. She's already talked to her. You were generous to pay half the >fee to get the cat back She didn't pay half the fee. Honestly, CP, do you *ever* actually read a post before you respond? Sherry >Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?? I am an >animal lover... I work at a vet clinic and have volunteer at numerous >shelters and have saved many homeless cats. It's very frustrating to think >you are doing something good and then getting in shi*t for it. Well, for future occasions, I suggest before 'rescuing' a cat you put a cheap collar on it and attach a note. I've done this before to identify which of the cats turning up at my door was an abandoned stray and which was a mooching neighbor. For this occasion -- well, you probably aren't in any legal danger. If the cat had no collar and was in your garden, in most localities you are entitled to take them to the shelter. So you can blow them off or pay the fee as you wish. Laura SignatureLaura Burchard -- lhb@radix.net -- http://www.radix.net/~lhb "Good design is clear thinking made visible." -- Edward Tufte
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