Stolen Cat - need advice on how to get her back

My cat went missing 6 months back. I was looking frantically posting flyer everywhere going door to door. the works!

We got many call from folks who think they saw her or who called to say they are sorry and they will keep an eye out. 

But we had 2 strange calls on the same day.

While out searching, a girl called and asked if her dad called about the cat.  I responded, "I am not sure, do you know something, have you seen her?" and expressed how we are looking and have a reward. She did not say much, quickly hung up and had no reason besides to ask if her dad called. 

I got home and my mom said she just had a strange call from an older guy that was stressing about how nice the cat is and how sad we must be... she said he sounded like if he knew more about her than just seeing a flyer. 

He had nothing else to say, my mom asked did you see the cat or know something. No info and in fact did not want to say his name or the area he is.  Why call? I called him back and tried to get info but he said nothing, just his kids wanted him to call, never clearly explained why.

I believe they have found her, took care of her and got attached. Had discussions about returning her and finally they decided to steal my cat. 

I wanted to go look in the area or to talk to them in person, but I could never find anything about the ph# on the net. I kept on my search, I did not forget about them and I saved their number.  About a month ago I got a name and address and have giving flyers out door to door and even spoke to them unsuspectingly. They spoke a lot but when I mentioned When my cat was lost they got more quiet and said why still looking and even said a nonsensical comment about the points to identify her can be misinterpret, as if to validate someone could find her be confused by the id points and not call.

I need proof, legally. I keep driving by hoping to see her in the yard or window and get a pict but it's proving very difficult. They must keep her locked in due to the flyers and rewards etc.

I appreciate any suggestions, How to make them reveal, or What do you think about the story or these points:

- a friend said just go up to them and say "someone told me that you have my cat, is it true?" 

* Interesting but I have to be cautious because if I do approach and they have her, they can simply say no and then move her.

- I had filed a police report, so now I can now use the newly acquired information to go to them with officers and ask to see if they have a cat and try to identify. Pets are considered property, and I have tons of photos and vet records.

* I really want this to work out smooth, I rather not press charges and scare them, but after all they are willfully stealing my cat and even calling me, I want to give these folks an easy escape route to return her with no fear. They are making a selfish mistake and have devastated a family because of what they are doing.

--

Best,

Determined

I'm sorry you're going through this. I really don't know what you can do legally. A lot depends on where you're located, he laws regarding pets vary so much. I'm afraid it could be very difficult. You say you've filed a police report. Did the police tell you what you need to do to prove it's your cat if you do find her?

How old is your cat? If she was already full grown when she went missing it would be easier to identify her. I hope you have a lot of pictures from different angles.

Is she microchipped? That would be one way to prove she's your cat. If you didn't have her microchipped the other people may have gotten it done and registered the chip in their name. In that case you could be in for a huge fight. You'd have to have undeniable proof that she was your cat long before the date they got her microchipped.

Sending lots of that you find your kitty soon.

Thanks for the support Goldy! It's been tough but things have progressed. In my state pets are considered property. As for proving identity I did not microchip however I have been taking photos of her since she was 2 weeks old, I have hundreds of digital photos and many with her identifying marks. I have also trained her to play some uncommon games. 

I spoke to a police officer, he said because a report was made, any new evidence that arise is grounds to investigate. Another officer said most police work is investigation of suspicions to find proof. It would be great to have undeniable proof before approaching, but I guess sometimes things need to be coaxed out, having a mediator like an officer shows can help the Truth prevail and no one needs to be worried about the others response.

Thanks for the 

I do hope you can get her back!! Was she an outdoor kitty?

I responded to your post on the NCOB forum.  It sounds like you are doing everything you possibly can to get your cat back.  My new neighbor's cat disappeared shortly after they moved in.  He was very easy to identify; white with unusual markings and only one eye.  They posted fliers in our immediate area with no luck.  When they branched out a little further, a woman contacted him from a few streets over.  She had been keeping him in her house for about a month.  It does sound like that family has grown attached to your cat.  Maybe a new round of fliers in their direct neighborhood might help; maybe a neighbor would be willing to call you for the reward.  I support you 100% and really hope you get your cat back.  But I kind of feel sorry for the people who took the cat in, too, because they must really care for him.  Not taking up for them or anything, because if a "stray" I had adopted turned out to be someone's beloved pet, I would return him without hesitation.  Because of the strange phone calls, this must be something they have struggled with, and ultimately decided to do the wrong thing by keeping a pet they know is missed by the true owner. 

Thanks Draco, She is mostly an indoor cat, she sits on a chair at the table for dinner.  Sometimes she goes out in the yard and play, sit under a tree or climb it, she loves the breeze and fresh air. I am always supervising or checking on her when she does though.  She mostly likes to hang with me because I always keep her focused and sharp with a few games we play all the time. 

This incident happened when I was on a business trip and my mom stepped out to clean her car and allowed her to go out, it was late in the evening, then she could not find her when ready to come in.  Really pains me because I stressed to my mom like a broken record "Do Not let her out when it starts to get dark out", no matter how much she asks, even if you are outside.

Thanks Nurse Angel, I am aware this is out of love and care but also includes being selfish and inconsiderate for others.

It teaches children it's ok to do the wrong thing to someone if you don't know them. Kind of the problem with society today.  

With that I also want to say that I totally understand we are all human and make mistakes; I am a very forgiving person and I am actually thankful that they took care of her, however the moment they took her in they were obligated to seek out the rightful owner or call and return her when they saw the flyer.  

I don't know how someone who loves animals can do something like that.

I was in a situation 9yrs ago, A large maine coon cat strolled in my apt's open door and started to hang late at night, I remembered seeing a poster up a week before. So I offered him water and milk and some of my dinner(which he did not eat and kept him for the night as it was already late (I did not know about cats at that time). I thought he was awesome and clearly intelligent and communicative with me, but I knew he belonged to someone else who is just as awesome and intelligent in a human way.

The next morning the first thing I did was go looking for the poster and took him to his owner. 

I have a torti beautiful Manx cat and she went missing after relocating; she got out of the car after a vet visit in an area I do not live in.  She went missing after just two days.  She was missing once before when I was new to another city after just a few months and I was gone for a day.  She was gone for 30 days and then popped back into my bedroom window.  This time not so lucky.  Whether someone thinks a cat should be indoors or out does not justify one taking property that is not theirs, micro-chipped or not and I am for micro-chipping.  My cat was wearing an id collar.

When someone finds an animal, they have a LEGAL obligation to look for the owner by posting an ad, flyer or whatnot.  Breaking someone else's heart even if you have formed an attachment is not justification to keep the animal when you also have an obligation to find the owner.

I hate to even suggest this option.  Perhaps the father hit your cat with his car and is too embarrassed to tell you.

If that was the case, I would want to know, so I could stop looking for her.

I REALLY hope this is not the case.

Could you talk to this guy's neighbors and ask them if they have ever seen a cat in the window, showing them pictures of your cat?

Miriam Snively said:

When someone finds an animal, they have a LEGAL obligation to look for the owner by posting an ad, flyer or whatnot.  Breaking someone else's heart even if you have formed an attachment is not justification to keep the animal when you also have an obligation to find the owner.

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No, they really don't, at least in the USA. It would be a nice thing to do, but they don't have to any more than someone who finds something on the street has to search for the owner. It is a kind, nice thing to do. Not necessary.  That doesn't necessarily mean the item (or cat) is yours now, but you don't have to take affirmative action just because you found a thing (and in the eyes of the law, cats and dogs are things, the same kind of property as a necklace is).

The best way to prove you own a cat in the USA is to have it microchipped.  This is viewed as definite proof of ownership.  As someone said earlier, if these people did take the cat, and they microchipped her, you are in for a very difficult battle that you'll probably lose.

As for the rest, honestly, I am not convinced these people have your cat.  Maybe the picture reminded them of a cat they lost or something would actually be my guess.