Help Please ?! Stray Cat Ownership ?!

2furkids1baby

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 6, 2003
Messages
7
Purraise
0
I have a question I hope someone might could answer

We moved into our current residence about a year ago, and were greeted by a "stray cat".....atleast we thought he was, he was malnourished, sickly, and I felt really sorry for him and fed him.

Anyhow, over the course of time, he became a regular visitor at our house....we never professed to own the cat, he was just a stray that would hang out at our house, eat food, and played with my 2 Doberman Pinscher...who both hate cats, but for some reason LOVED "Bucky"...the stray cat..

We wormed him, fed him, basically nursed him back to health and my husband and I got quite attached to him .....sometimes he wouldn't show up for a few days, but he pretty much would hang out at our house, then when he wanted to go out he'd scratch at the door, and disappear for a few days.

Well, Bucky showed up the other day scratched and beaten pretty bad, and it looks like he's done something to his leg. I want to take him to the vet, but I run into this problem..

Some people, a few houses down (complete trash) have cats...and I mean they have about 20 - 60 cats, some are tame, some not tame, all of them are underweight, riddled with ticks, fleas, worms....and they're desperate.

After I started taking care of him, they started (the "neighbours") trying to keep the cat, trying to act like he was their cat.....which ok, if it's their cat (which it very well probably is from the amount of cats they own) that's cool, I hope they will take care of him properly.....but as I said, it looks like he's done something to his leg and they haven't taken him to the vet for medical attention.

I have called my vet and told him that I think he has something wrong with his leg, and if it's broken, it's going to cost a few hundred to fix, but he's also going to need to be vaccinated and neutered.....possibly setting me back $500 - 700.....which I wouldn't mind spending on this cat if I knew at the end of it all he was going to be my cat. I know that might sound harsh to some but I'm not about to spend that kind of money on someone else's cat....especially when should have been taking care of him in the first place.

If these "neighbours" do profess to own the cat, then shouldn't they have some sort of responsibility to get the cat some medical care ?

If they dont own the cat, can I get it attended to, and will I own the cat after that ?

Is anyone aware of what legal ramifications I would run into if I adopted the cat and got him some medical help if they decided he was their cat after all of that ?

I'm sorry this sounds confusing, but I would like some clarity..please...
 

mom of 10 cats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
5,643
Purraise
4
Location
Longmont, CO
I would think calling your local SPCA would get you some of the answers. I know I've called the one local to me with legal questions before about cats, and they were able to give me answers. (Specifically, I wanted to find out how many cats you are allowed by law in this town, and there is no limit. Some places do have limits.)

Bless your heart for caring for this guy. You may be the only bright spot in his life.
 

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
76
I run into this same problem time to time. There is a house down the road apiece that keeps going to "renters" and because the house has a lot of problems and the landowner could care less, the caliber of the renters are pretty low on the food chain. Sadly, these people when they move in usually have scads of cats, all not well, not fed, not loved, you know the story.

There was a tuxedo kitty some years back that got lost in the masses and eventually drifted over here. He used to sleep in one of the cat beds in the carport. The first thing I did, was take him in and neuter him (they never noticed) Then, he just started sleeping over here all the time- we called him Tux and just adopted him.

One night we came home from town and he was lying in the bed looking a bit strange. Mike went up to see what was wrong, and found he had been shot by an arrow though this chest! The renters had an archery pad set up in their back lot...
We rushed him to the vets, but it was to late to save him. The sheriff came out when we called and went over and discovered the arrow matched their set, and they were slapped with a fine.


My point is, I try to do everything humanely possible for cats who belong to people who could care less for them. I would get this cat treatment, and find a home for it far far away from these low-lifes who profess to own him.
 

mom of 10 cats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
5,643
Purraise
4
Location
Longmont, CO
Mary Anne, I don't know how your resisted the urge to put an arrow through those subhumans.


We can only hope that these people don't reproduce.
 

angelzoo

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
1,535
Purraise
2
Location
Maryland, USA
2furkids: Well I recently had a talk with the local humane society (in Maryland) about ownership of animals.
She told me, that by Maryland law, if you feed a stray for 2 weeks, the animal is lawfully yours. Or if you are taking care of an animal even for a friend, but there is no written proof of this. After 2 weeks of caring/feeding the animal, etc, it also then becomes yours.

I don't know the laws in EVERY state, but hopefully you can find something similar.
People bring in strays or what they think to be stray cats all the time, a lot of my cats growing up were exactly that.
Reguardless this cat NEEDS help from someone.
If it were me, I would take the cat to the vet, and then get everything done. And I would also put up flyers with a picture of this cat to see if anyone responds. If someone DOES respond, if they are really a responcible and loving owner, and they want their cat, they will pay you back some how. But I'm betting that no one will own up to this cat.
If this cat looked as bad as you said it does, you can use that to help your case, inregaurds to that the cat had owners which neglected him and the cat should be given to you.

About your neighbors, have you ever made a complaint about the condition of the animals there, have you ever been inside to see if they have a frequency of dead cats? I think that place needs to be taken care of (aka most if not all of the cats removed.) I really hope you try to get something done about that too.
Good luck!
 

jeanie g.

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2002
Messages
5,046
Purraise
12
This situation happened to me, but I never found the owners. I believe in many states you are responsible for an animal and its actions if you're the one feeding it. This probably varies from state to state.

I paid for the care of the neighborhood stray, who had a sprained leg and abscesses - after he hadn't shown for a meal for two weeks. We got him his shots and got him neutered. Unfortunately, he had feline leukemia. We kept him isolated from our cats, and finally got him a wonderful home. If the "owners" would have shown up, I would have been very upset! But I couldn't stand seeing him in that condition. He would have died.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

2furkids1baby

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 6, 2003
Messages
7
Purraise
0
Thanks so much for the advice, I didn't know the law in regards to adoption of strays and this guy is a REAL character, to be honest, fell in love with him straight away....apart from the fact that he pooped all under my bed the first day he was inside, but he's really good. So good with the dogs, even with my baby.

My second question, is grooming him ?? I've never adopted a stray or "feral" cat before, and his coat, while very thick is in not too good of shape. He also has alot of war wounds from I guess fighting with other cats (and you would think so too, that many kids all veying for food would make anyone fiesty) I have treated him numerous times for his lil wounds, he has seen the works poor guy.

I think we're the only people on the block that actually try to take care of him. I used to take care of some of the other cats....one time a female tortise shell had, what had appeared to have been struck over the head with a blunt object, needless to say by someone trying to stop her from scavaging through their garbage (rednecks).....and
it makes me so mad that theses cats are made to suffer like this.

These same people (the ones with all the cats) also have a dog (who is also a GREAT dog, some sort of aussie sheperd/collie mix) she escaped once and got to our place, she of course did not want to leave and was completely malnourished.....anyhow, they have chained her to a trailer and she has abotu 2 feet of chain, she can barely lay down.......


I just don't know what to do. we're from a small town, I'm not from here, but my husband tells me that there is nothing we can do about it, because there is no enforcement agency to stop this kind of stuff, the nearest SPCA is like about 3 hours away.

IS there any advice you can give me !? Please I can barely stand this anymore, I've had to deal with this for months, and the cat who got struck with the blunt object, before this happened, she used to trust humans, but then she got really timid and would only eat from a bowl if I put it right out by the fence for her, anyhow I never saw her again, and so couldn't help her, but I'm just sick of the burden of feeling such sadness for these animals. Another dog up the road is tied to a trailer, for the 18 months I have lived here he has NOT moved from the spot in ages, and they have another little dog who is a smaller size dog but his kennel or cage should I say is about 3.5ft x 3.5ft. He has been outside of it once to my knowledge.

I'm not trying to be a sticky beak, but my day is filled with the howling whining CRYING YELPING of dogs chained up all day, the crying of hungry cats, and the knowledge that the law enforecement officers don't care.
What else can I do to liberate these animals?? Some of them are beautiful, I mean they're just lovely, very difference colored animals, with all kinds of pretty markings, and personalities to boot. (some of which comes from the desperation of hunger and the fact that a human is actually being nice)

Anyhow I'm sorry to go on, but if you're an animal lover and you're surrounded by hungry, sick, crying animals it just breaks your heart and I dont know how much more I can take. I feel myself cutting off from my sensitivity to the issue just because I can't function in this sadness...

Suggestions and advice will be so gladly anticipated. But I will tell you now, I've tried to talk to the lady about having some of her animals spayed (I even offered to pay for it) but she told me to mind my own business and keep off her property or she'll shoot me?


I would love to stick her with a fine like some others have......these animals are just in such a pathetic condition, I just dont have the resources to get them all professional care. My husband is already miffed about the looming vet bill for Bucky, but he's doing so much better now. I think he knows it too.....he's got that new bounce in his step like he belongs to someone. It's really cute to see.
 

valanhb

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
32,530
Purraise
100
Location
Lakewood (Denver suburb), Colorado
First you need to find out the laws of your state. Many states are finally treating animal cruelty (which includes neglect, apparently abundant in your neighborhood
) as the serious crime that it is. Many states now have felony punishment available. Perhaps law enforcement officials aren't the way to go in your case. I know how small town cops can be.
However, if the situation is as bad as you say it is, place a call to the SPCA even if it is an hour away. In a situation like this with so many animals being abused, I would hope they would come and do something about it, and if the laws are there in your state they can push the legal side more effectively than you as an individual can.

Bless you for caring for these animals, especially Bucky. He sounds like a real doll.
 

angelzoo

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
1,535
Purraise
2
Location
Maryland, USA
I'm glad you are at least trying to look out for these animals.
I urge you to call the nearist SPCA, even if they are far away they might know of a local town cop who DOES care about animals, and would make a trip out to these houses.

If you tell us what state you live in, perhaps we could find out some of the laws for you.

One thing I must ask... these dogs that are chained up, does one not have shelter? In most states if not ALL, animals HAVE to have adiquit shelter, or else yes the animals CAN be taken away if the owners do not do as they are asked.
As for the one that does have shelter, can the dog easily fit it's WHOLE body in it? If not, that is not proper shelter and they get also get there dog taken away.
If I were you, I would try to take pictures of all these poor animals, and make a log of the times you see something happen to them, or of the times you actually see these people feed their poor dogs. Of course if you take pictures, try to do it with out the owners seeing you, but close enough so that you can see the condition of the dog and the area they are forced to live in.
I'm not sure about the dog on the 2 foot chain, there might be a law against a dog being on a 2 foot chain.

About grooming the cat, well is it short haired or long haired? And do you think the cat will let you do this? If you can, I would say go for it. If the cat is badly matted to the point where you don't think you can get them out, it would be best to wait to take him into a vet and have them remove them all.
If he doesnt' have any matts, something like a plastic tipped slicker brush (PLASTIC MIND YOU) or a flea comb would work just fine for now. But of course, only do this if you feel that the cat will not get upset.

Up here in MD, I know a family that "owns" an English Springer Spaniel, they've had it for years and it's whole life, has been living out at the edge of the woods (about 100 feet from the house) chained up on about a 10 foot chain, with a semi decent sized dog house, gets fed and watered every day. His coat is poorly neglected about once a year they will unchain him and have it all shaven off (he is know as the dread lock dog.) They NEVER play with this animal, no effection at all! The dog is however very sweet and very hyper of course. This is the ony life this dog has ever known and ever will know, because there isn't a darn thing I or anyone else can do about it, short of kidnapping him!
 

jeanie g.

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2002
Messages
5,046
Purraise
12
I agree with Heidi. If the local police won't help(-even though your neighbor threatened to shoot you!-) follow through with the nearest SPCA or Humane Society.
I would go to the Health and Nutrition or Grooming thread to get advice on the conditon of his coat. I know our mod there will soon be leaving for the weekend, but might still be there. If not, you'll get your answer early in the week. Please keep us updated.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

2furkids1baby

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 6, 2003
Messages
7
Purraise
0
I would be really really interested to find out the state laws regarding animal policies.....I'm from new Zealand and we have very very very strict rules regarding animals....some cases of animal cruelty can mean jail time for 5 years.....now that is what I'm talking about in regards to neglect and cruelty. A fine and a few months prison time just doesn't seem adequate for the torture some people are imposing on these animals.

Thanks all for your help. I would just love it if I had the money to open up a big animal santuary and take in all these animals that live a chained, abuse, neglected existence. It just seems so prevalent around these parts, it's like animals have no feelings at all or something when they're born in these parts....as if, it's just that most people around here are Rednecks and slow and dont' realise that animals have intimate feelings and needs like that of an adult. *sigh* I just wish there was more I could do ya know...
thanks again
 

meezer_mama

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
96
Purraise
1
Location
Austin, TX
this is pretty crazy. I haven't had time to read through the law links yet, but there has to be something you can do. In Austin, if a dog enters your yard you can legally detain it, even take it to the pound if you want, or keep it. One of my rescue friends lives in a 'WT' neighborhood and is constantly doing this for all the dogs due to the neglect.

Find out if there is a length limit on dog chains, and also a time limit. I think in Austin you can only keep a dog on a chain for 8 hours at a time.

If I were you, I would buy myself a live animal trap and simply start trapping all the cats. Since they're starving it should be extremely easy. Find someone who can help you take them in to the SPCA that is 3 hours away. If your neighbor asks, blame it on coyotes or gators or whatever you have out there.

If you need help finding someone in your area, please PM me and I'll see who I can find to help you.

As for your stray kitty, I think it is safe to say he belongs to you. I would let the subject drop with your neighbor, but try to make him and indoor kitty as much as possible. If he's inside his coat will stay cleaner and he'll be able to groom most of it himself.

Be safe! Don't get shot!
:-)
 

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
76
Because he is a feral, his coat has been subjected to the worst of conditions (the elements) I don't know what you are feeding him but I recommend Royal Canin Skin and Coat, it is excellent. For ferals, especially if he has war wounds, he is going to be touchy to brush, so you do not want to use any type of metal comb or brush on him. You want to use a rubber slicker brush- and when you initially start to brush him, you want to gently run the brush through his fur- NOT even touching his skin, until he gets used to the motion and doesn't want to attack your hand or brush. Once he accepts this, you can try and get the mats out, but they will not be easy to remove (and are probably either causing skin infections inside or loaded with parasites you can't yet see.

You want to start adding cod liver oil to his food, just a taste at first, gradually working up to about a tablespoon a day, broken down into servings every time you feed.

As for the dog, since I am one who is known to go into yards and take dogs being mistreated off their chains and finding new homes for them, you don't want to even ask me what to do, because my way is to break the laws if the situation is drastic- and when I get involved, it is.
 

animaluvr35

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
30
Purraise
0
Location
tulsa,oklahoma
Originally Posted by 2furkids1baby

I have a question I hope someone might could answer

We moved into our current residence about a year ago, and were greeted by a "stray cat".....atleast we thought he was, he was malnourished, sickly, and I felt really sorry for him and fed him.

Anyhow, over the course of time, he became a regular visitor at our house....we never professed to own the cat, he was just a stray that would hang out at our house, eat food, and played with my 2 Doberman Pinscher...who both hate cats, but for some reason LOVED "Bucky"...the stray cat..

We wormed him, fed him, basically nursed him back to health and my husband and I got quite attached to him .....sometimes he wouldn't show up for a few days, but he pretty much would hang out at our house, then when he wanted to go out he'd scratch at the door, and disappear for a few days.

Well, Bucky showed up the other day scratched and beaten pretty bad, and it looks like he's done something to his leg. I want to take him to the vet, but I run into this problem..

Some people, a few houses down (complete trash) have cats...and I mean they have about 20 - 60 cats, some are tame, some not tame, all of them are underweight, riddled with ticks, fleas, worms....and they're desperate.

After I started taking care of him, they started (the "neighbours") trying to keep the cat, trying to act like he was their cat.....which ok, if it's their cat (which it very well probably is from the amount of cats they own) that's cool, I hope they will take care of him properly.....but as I said, it looks like he's done something to his leg and they haven't taken him to the vet for medical attention.

I have called my vet and told him that I think he has something wrong with his leg, and if it's broken, it's going to cost a few hundred to fix, but he's also going to need to be vaccinated and neutered.....possibly setting me back $500 - 700.....which I wouldn't mind spending on this cat if I knew at the end of it all he was going to be my cat. I know that might sound harsh to some but I'm not about to spend that kind of money on someone else's cat....especially when should have been taking care of him in the first place.

If these "neighbours" do profess to own the cat, then shouldn't they have some sort of responsibility to get the cat some medical care ?

If they dont own the cat, can I get it attended to, and will I own the cat after that ?

Is anyone aware of what legal ramifications I would run into if I adopted the cat and got him some medical help if they decided he was their cat after all of that ?

I'm sorry this sounds confusing, but I would like some clarity..please...
Once you get him or her to the vet and get a license,they can't do nothing. and if they tried to call police or court they would be the ones in trouble not you. they need to be reported in about all those cats.
you should do that in case they are sick as well.
sounds like they are abusing them by not feeding them. they do not deserve to have no cats.
 

animaluvr35

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
30
Purraise
0
Location
tulsa,oklahoma
if you take him or her to the vet,and get it checked out. get the cat a license they can't do nothing. cause the police can do something about that.
courts would take their cats away.
a friend of mine was in a situation like that before.
 

kittenkiya

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 30, 2004
Messages
2,196
Purraise
2
Location
Tucson, AZ
I think technically, once your name is at the vet's with the cat, that shows that you own the cat. I know my name is on all the feral spays and neuters and that makes the mine.

I think also that the point "once you have fed and taken care of the animal", I think in the eyes of the law, that makes it yours also, at least here in AZ..

Bless your heart for loving and caring.
 

vibiana

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 23, 2005
Messages
364
Purraise
1
My youngest was in a situation like this. In fact, I posted about it, here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64193

My advice to you would be to take this cat to the vet, get it fixed and all its shots, set up a payment plan with the clinic, and make this a strictly indoor cat for the rest of its life. Then just let them TRY to come and take it away from you. I'd be willing to answer the door when they knock.
 
Top