I don't want to be a real cat thief!
September 23, 2010 2:44 PM Subscribe
KittyFilter: Can I keep the cat who's been wandering around my apartment complex, first with a collar and now, mysteriously, without one?
I live in a very large, gated apartment complex (probably 200+ apartments, spread over several blocks) where many cat owners allow their pets to wander the property. In all, there are probably about three cats that hang out on various landings, under bushes, etc., near the pool, etc.
About three weeks ago, I noticed a new cat. She looked very, very thin but did have a collar on. After seeing her for a few days (and leaving food for her outside my door) I finally got her to stay still long enough to call the phone number on her collar.
When I spoke to the owner, I found out that they did indeed live in the complex but that they had gone on vacation for a few weeks (!!!!!), couldn't find the cat before they left and just left her outside.
I told them where my apartment was and that I and a few neighbors had been leaving food and water for the cat outside our door. I asked them if they wanted me to bring her inside until they could come get her or bring her by their apartment. The woman on the phone said, "Well, she's my daughter's cat and she's at work. Just leave her out. Maybe she'll get her later."
I didn't see the kitty for a few days but last night, I saw her again. She was clearly hungry, meowing loudly outside my door. She followed a friend of mine up the stairs to my apartment so she remembers that I've fed her. I got her some food and water and noticed that she is no longer wearing her collar.
I'm not a huge cat person (dog girl all the way) but I'm an animal lover in general and it doesn't appear to me that these people either a) want this cat or b) if they do, are caring for her very well.
I don't want to commit kitty theft but I also hate that the cat wants to follow me into my apartment and needs attention (she always wants to be pet and stuff before she eats) and isn't getting it.
What's my recourse here?
I live in a very large, gated apartment complex (probably 200+ apartments, spread over several blocks) where many cat owners allow their pets to wander the property. In all, there are probably about three cats that hang out on various landings, under bushes, etc., near the pool, etc.
About three weeks ago, I noticed a new cat. She looked very, very thin but did have a collar on. After seeing her for a few days (and leaving food for her outside my door) I finally got her to stay still long enough to call the phone number on her collar.
When I spoke to the owner, I found out that they did indeed live in the complex but that they had gone on vacation for a few weeks (!!!!!), couldn't find the cat before they left and just left her outside.
I told them where my apartment was and that I and a few neighbors had been leaving food and water for the cat outside our door. I asked them if they wanted me to bring her inside until they could come get her or bring her by their apartment. The woman on the phone said, "Well, she's my daughter's cat and she's at work. Just leave her out. Maybe she'll get her later."
I didn't see the kitty for a few days but last night, I saw her again. She was clearly hungry, meowing loudly outside my door. She followed a friend of mine up the stairs to my apartment so she remembers that I've fed her. I got her some food and water and noticed that she is no longer wearing her collar.
I'm not a huge cat person (dog girl all the way) but I'm an animal lover in general and it doesn't appear to me that these people either a) want this cat or b) if they do, are caring for her very well.
I don't want to commit kitty theft but I also hate that the cat wants to follow me into my apartment and needs attention (she always wants to be pet and stuff before she eats) and isn't getting it.
What's my recourse here?
Best answer: cyndigo, it appears that they know where the OP lives. notjustfoxybrown, if it was me, I would take the cat in and wait to see if they contact me. If they do, I think you likely need to give the cat back as I don't think you can prove animal cruelty at this point. Otherwise, keep her.
Something similar happened to me when I was a kid. A friend and I found a kitten in our neighborhood. she could barely walk; dragging herself along by her front paws. We brought her to a shelter. A few day's later, the shelter called my house and told my mom that the owners had called, but didn't want to pay the $20 donation required to get the cat back. The shelter said they were putting her to sleep. We went and rescued her and she was my pal for the next 18 years.
posted by amro at 2:55 PM on September 23, 2010 [21 favorites]
Something similar happened to me when I was a kid. A friend and I found a kitten in our neighborhood. she could barely walk; dragging herself along by her front paws. We brought her to a shelter. A few day's later, the shelter called my house and told my mom that the owners had called, but didn't want to pay the $20 donation required to get the cat back. The shelter said they were putting her to sleep. We went and rescued her and she was my pal for the next 18 years.
posted by amro at 2:55 PM on September 23, 2010 [21 favorites]
I've often thought that cats choose their people, and they don't hesitate to break off a relationship that isn't working for them. I'm gonna have to go with cyndigo on this one. Congrats, chosen one.
posted by SamanthaK at 2:55 PM on September 23, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by SamanthaK at 2:55 PM on September 23, 2010 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Awwww, amro, I'm glad you had 18 years with your pal.
The other thing is if you *do* decide to keep her, then please keep her inside. Because the crappy former owners may, months from now, take her back out of spite, even if they don't really want her and haven't looked for her.
I must now tell the story of Miss Tasha, All-Powerful Siamese Ruler of the Universe. A week after moving into my first apartment, I told a workmate that I was getting a cat. (I'd grown up with outside pets on a busy highway. The horror. And swore I'd never live through THAT again.) She said "PLEASE take the little neighbor cat of mine, she's always hungry begging at my door and them kids is mean to it, and I mean MEAN. Last week they tied her to a fence and threw rocks at her."
The workmate went home and drove back with a cardboard box containing a starving scratched-up little fleaball (and pregnant, but that's ANOTHER story). Miss Tasha and I lived together for 22 years. She was my longest and happiest relationship. The best thing that ever happened to me was having that cat stolen on my behalf.
posted by cyndigo at 3:09 PM on September 23, 2010 [24 favorites]
The other thing is if you *do* decide to keep her, then please keep her inside. Because the crappy former owners may, months from now, take her back out of spite, even if they don't really want her and haven't looked for her.
I must now tell the story of Miss Tasha, All-Powerful Siamese Ruler of the Universe. A week after moving into my first apartment, I told a workmate that I was getting a cat. (I'd grown up with outside pets on a busy highway. The horror. And swore I'd never live through THAT again.) She said "PLEASE take the little neighbor cat of mine, she's always hungry begging at my door and them kids is mean to it, and I mean MEAN. Last week they tied her to a fence and threw rocks at her."
The workmate went home and drove back with a cardboard box containing a starving scratched-up little fleaball (and pregnant, but that's ANOTHER story). Miss Tasha and I lived together for 22 years. She was my longest and happiest relationship. The best thing that ever happened to me was having that cat stolen on my behalf.
posted by cyndigo at 3:09 PM on September 23, 2010 [24 favorites]
I, too, now own a stolen kitty. Ginny the Cat was left by my Mom's tenants when they moved out. (Declawed, and left outside....grrrr....). She climbed into my Mom's car to get herself rescued.
Congrats, you have found yourself a cat (Or, she found herself a human).
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 3:16 PM on September 23, 2010
Congrats, you have found yourself a cat (Or, she found herself a human).
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 3:16 PM on September 23, 2010
If it were me and I wanted the cat, I would take it with a clear conscience and never speak to the former owner again.
I recognize that others may have more diplomatic leanings.
posted by deadweightloss at 3:22 PM on September 23, 2010
I recognize that others may have more diplomatic leanings.
posted by deadweightloss at 3:22 PM on September 23, 2010
Take the kitty.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:25 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:25 PM on September 23, 2010
They seem to have effectively abandoned the cat. Given that they're happy to let her roam around outside for several weeks while they leave town, making no provision for her care... yeah, it may not be legal to take her, but if it were me, I have a feeling that the cat would be in my apartment, and I'd wait to see if the "owners" cared.
posted by OolooKitty at 3:30 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by OolooKitty at 3:30 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
The owners have the OP's info, and the OP offered to take the cat in. If they still give a damn when they get back, they know where to look.
Take her in.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 3:33 PM on September 23, 2010 [6 favorites]
Take her in.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 3:33 PM on September 23, 2010 [6 favorites]
The textbook route would be county animal control and/or the complex management, but that doesn't really work in the cat's interest. Taking the cat in potentially sets up a confrontation or retribution or a combination of the two, but I think cyndigo has the right tack: they know where to look, and if they give a damn, they'll either get in touch or put some flyers up.
posted by holgate at 3:37 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by holgate at 3:37 PM on September 23, 2010
Just as long as you have the willingness and the resources to take in a new pet for an indefinite amount of time, I think you should indeed take in this kitty. Maybe the owners will try to take her back later or maybe not, but in the meantime, the cat needs (and deserves) a home. You sound like a caring person, and you would make a real difference for this little creature. :-)
posted by datarose at 3:47 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by datarose at 3:47 PM on September 23, 2010
Response by poster: 23 Skidoo: I offered to take the cat back to them. I didn't get an address. There was only a phone number on the cat's collar, which is now missing.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 4:06 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 4:06 PM on September 23, 2010
Response by poster: And thanks for the answers, folks. I think I'm going to stop by the pet store on the way home. The owners know where I live. If they want her, I'll gladly return her. (OK, I might be sad about returning her but I know it's the right thing to do.)
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 4:11 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 4:11 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Number one: cats choose their own homes. If this cat wants to live with you instead of her original people, she will.
Number two: these people have cruelly neglected their pet. No f-ing wonder the cat would rather live with you.
"Theft" doesn't enter into it.
posted by tel3path at 4:12 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Number two: these people have cruelly neglected their pet. No f-ing wonder the cat would rather live with you.
"Theft" doesn't enter into it.
posted by tel3path at 4:12 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Post a photo of your new roommate!
posted by amro at 4:14 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by amro at 4:14 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
This reminds me of a Dear Prudence video on Slate. Emily Yoffe says probably okay for you to be the cat's new home sweet home.
posted by belau at 4:15 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by belau at 4:15 PM on September 23, 2010
At some point you'd also want to check for a microchip - if kitty doesn't have one, get the vet to put one in. If there is a chip, I think you can get the contact info updated with a form from the chip company and some vet paperwork.
posted by belau at 4:20 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by belau at 4:20 PM on September 23, 2010
Keep her. Year ago I found a kitten with a collar that was too tight in a parking lot in town. It was not a safe area for a kitty I took him home, but of course assumed his owner would be worried as I would be and tried to find the owner. First I knocked on a bunch of doors on the street, but nobody knew the kitten. I called the town's animal control, described the kitten, and he said he had picked that kitten up several times, spoke to the owners, and they ignored him. His advice was to keep him.
I am a cat lady, already had a bunch, but I kept Angel, a beautiful white cat with blue eyes and pale orange ears and tail. He lived many happy years with us.
People who are not concerned about their pets do not deserve to have them. Another cat we had for many years was rescued by a friend in apartment complex because people there were mistreating and trying to kill it. He took a long time to trust us, but finally became my husband's best friend.
posted by mermayd at 4:22 PM on September 23, 2010
I am a cat lady, already had a bunch, but I kept Angel, a beautiful white cat with blue eyes and pale orange ears and tail. He lived many happy years with us.
People who are not concerned about their pets do not deserve to have them. Another cat we had for many years was rescued by a friend in apartment complex because people there were mistreating and trying to kill it. He took a long time to trust us, but finally became my husband's best friend.
posted by mermayd at 4:22 PM on September 23, 2010
Response by poster: If I can get her to stay still long enough, photos are on the way!
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 4:29 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 4:29 PM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure where the line for "abandonment" is, but I'm pretty sure "left outside for several weeks without a second thought" counts.
I'm torn, though. They say it is their daughter's cat, and that she is not with them on vacation, correct? I wonder if this is a situation where the daughter loves the cat but can't keep it, and her parents abandoned it.
In other words, it's the daughter you need to talk to, not the terrible parents.
I only point this out - and only reluctantly - because I was once in a similar situation. I had to house my dog with my mother for a while.
I phoned one night and my mother blithely informed me that A) she had been locking my dog in the garage because it was "too much trouble" to have him loose in the house. And B) when they were out in the yard, some neighbors came by and admired him. She was all like "You can have him if you want." They said they would get back to her. She meant to tell me about it, she said, but hadn't had a chance yet. *grinds teeth*
posted by ErikaB at 4:33 PM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'm torn, though. They say it is their daughter's cat, and that she is not with them on vacation, correct? I wonder if this is a situation where the daughter loves the cat but can't keep it, and her parents abandoned it.
In other words, it's the daughter you need to talk to, not the terrible parents.
I only point this out - and only reluctantly - because I was once in a similar situation. I had to house my dog with my mother for a while.
I phoned one night and my mother blithely informed me that A) she had been locking my dog in the garage because it was "too much trouble" to have him loose in the house. And B) when they were out in the yard, some neighbors came by and admired him. She was all like "You can have him if you want." They said they would get back to her. She meant to tell me about it, she said, but hadn't had a chance yet. *grinds teeth*
posted by ErikaB at 4:33 PM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
Take kitty in. Post notices in all appropriate places about the fact that you have kitty. Have a real heart to heart with daughter if she ever gets in touch with you -- does she want kitty? Does she have resources to care for kitty? Is it OK if you keep kitty and she gets some visitation? Many people will willingly give up animals they don't really want.
I am not clear here from what you know so far that the neglectful person is daughter, or that parents have told daughter about your call and kitty's location, which is why I recommend the above course of action.
posted by bearwife at 4:54 PM on September 23, 2010
I am not clear here from what you know so far that the neglectful person is daughter, or that parents have told daughter about your call and kitty's location, which is why I recommend the above course of action.
posted by bearwife at 4:54 PM on September 23, 2010
#1: Take the kitty, keep it indoors, and if they ask when they get back, say 'Yes, I do have the kitty, it was nearly starved to death so I thought it best.'
#2: Take the kitty, keep it indoors, and if they ask when they get back, say 'No idea what happened; last I saw it outside it looked like it was going to starve to death.' (Note there's no lie there. The last you saw it outside, it probably did.)
#3: Take the kitty, keep it indoors, and if they ask when they get back, ignore them.
Some people think it's okay to just leave a cat outside and they'll fend for themselves. HereticalKitten (now sleeping on my bed) was found by me in a blizzard, and HereticalFatass (Bast rest his soul) was abandoned when the asshat in the apartment across from me moved out. Fatass dashed into my apartment when I was talking to the manager about my 'neighbor' and his unwanted activities, and enjoyed the rest of his life stuffing his face with everything he could get his jaws around that remotely smelled like 'food'.
posted by Heretical at 5:24 PM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
#2: Take the kitty, keep it indoors, and if they ask when they get back, say 'No idea what happened; last I saw it outside it looked like it was going to starve to death.' (Note there's no lie there. The last you saw it outside, it probably did.)
#3: Take the kitty, keep it indoors, and if they ask when they get back, ignore them.
Some people think it's okay to just leave a cat outside and they'll fend for themselves. HereticalKitten (now sleeping on my bed) was found by me in a blizzard, and HereticalFatass (Bast rest his soul) was abandoned when the asshat in the apartment across from me moved out. Fatass dashed into my apartment when I was talking to the manager about my 'neighbor' and his unwanted activities, and enjoyed the rest of his life stuffing his face with everything he could get his jaws around that remotely smelled like 'food'.
posted by Heretical at 5:24 PM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
Addendum to #1: '... so I thought it best. I'll get a crate to bring kitty over, if you like.' Leave them an out so they don't HAVE to take the furball back if they don't really want to.
#2 and #3: Grats on your new kitt0r. Make sure you followup here with pics. *nod*
posted by Heretical at 5:26 PM on September 23, 2010
#2 and #3: Grats on your new kitt0r. Make sure you followup here with pics. *nod*
posted by Heretical at 5:26 PM on September 23, 2010
It seems not unlikely that after the phone call they removed the collar so that they won't get any more phone calls about the cat. Or it was a breakaway collar and the cat got hung up and escaped the collar, but if so, they haven't bothered to replace it. At any rate, they've already turned down an offer to return her; I doubt that putting up a sign will get any response, and I'm on the fence about that anyway. Only ErikaB's story gives me the shadow of a doubt, but even if the daughter is in a position where she can't take care of the cat now -- the parents won't take of the cat (and it's been weeks or months), which means a free-roaming cat that is exposed to FIV and many other communicable diseases, heartworm, Toxoplasmosis, injury from animal attack and accident, poisoning, malnutrition, abuse from humans, being picked up by Animal Control, and possibly pregnancy (and thus more endangered cats) if she hasn't been spayed. For me the ethics of rescuing the cat from these dangers trumps the idea of being responsible for trying to track down someone to return the cat to once the offer has already been made and rejected.
There's a big difference between an obviously well-cared for, well-fed pet which has slipped out to do a little exploring, and an abandoned animal.
posted by taz at 12:47 AM on September 24, 2010
There's a big difference between an obviously well-cared for, well-fed pet which has slipped out to do a little exploring, and an abandoned animal.
posted by taz at 12:47 AM on September 24, 2010
Not to mention that if either the parents or the daughter actually want the cat back, they can easily put up signs; I think the ball's in their court at this point.
posted by taz at 12:57 AM on September 24, 2010
posted by taz at 12:57 AM on September 24, 2010
Anybody that leaves a cat without food/shelter for weeks and dumps it outside doesn't deserve a cat. Cats don't have a full suite of social services to care for them, and aren't able to voice abuse other than to go look for a new owner elsewhere.
But obtuse people can be obtuse about all sorts of things. Like not making the connection that abandoning an animal is tantamount to giving up one's ownership of it.
I'd still contact the shelter because that way the removal of the cat from its present owners becomes official. It's not been looked after. Its established it won't be looked after anytime soon. It officially needs a new owner. You.
posted by MuffinMan at 3:36 AM on September 24, 2010
But obtuse people can be obtuse about all sorts of things. Like not making the connection that abandoning an animal is tantamount to giving up one's ownership of it.
I'd still contact the shelter because that way the removal of the cat from its present owners becomes official. It's not been looked after. Its established it won't be looked after anytime soon. It officially needs a new owner. You.
posted by MuffinMan at 3:36 AM on September 24, 2010
One of the reasons we decided to keep our recently discovered furball was that there were no signs and no ads, anywhere. If we'd lost such a sweet, loving cat we'd have been moving heaven and earth to find her again; that her previous owners were showing no signs of missing her were the final seal on the deal.
That your furball's current owners are so unconcerned in both action and word is the same thing as far as I'm concerned - not a lot of love there, and plenty between you and furball. The choice for the cat is plenty easy I think.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 8:43 PM on September 24, 2010
That your furball's current owners are so unconcerned in both action and word is the same thing as far as I'm concerned - not a lot of love there, and plenty between you and furball. The choice for the cat is plenty easy I think.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 8:43 PM on September 24, 2010
Response by poster: I really wanted to add a "resolution" tag but until this morning, I actually hadn't seen Miss Kitty at all. I'm thinking her owners must be keeping her inside at night and letting her out during the day (Still a bad idea, IMHO).
The upshot? I think I'm going to adopt my own kitty from the county shelter. They're overrun and now I think I'd be a good kitty parent.
I'll keep you all posted! Thanks for the answers.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 11:18 AM on October 1, 2010
The upshot? I think I'm going to adopt my own kitty from the county shelter. They're overrun and now I think I'd be a good kitty parent.
I'll keep you all posted! Thanks for the answers.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 11:18 AM on October 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cyndigo at 2:50 PM on September 23, 2010