it sounds to me like your mother doesn't really want a cat, but hates to see an animal abused. And, frankly, in my opinion your neighbors have given up any moral right to consider this their cat by leaving her outside in all weather and not getting veterinary care for her when she is obviously in need of it. The problem is with the phrase "moral right." That's not the same as a legal right. If this were a feral cat you would have every right to say that she is now yours, get her the care she needs, all the rest of it. But your neighbors are insisting that she's their cat, while taking none of the responsibility for caring for her.
Your mum is in a very tough spot. She doesn't like seeing an animal mistreated, and she especially doesn't like the way it's hurting you. But she also doesn't want a feud with the neighbors.
There are only two good solutions, and both of them, unfortunately, depend on your neighbors. One would be for your neighbors to actually live up to their responsibility to take care of their cat, and the other would be for them to give the cat to you. Obviously, your neighbors aren't going to do either of those things of their own accord. And at this point, I'm stumped for an answer. The kind of neglect your neighbors display would certainly be counted as criminal in the U.S., but I don't know about the U.K.. And if this is criminal neglect in the U.K., then what? Do you call the RSPCA and ask for assistance in holding your neighbors accountable? They're likely to still be your neighbors long after the cat has died of old age -- is it worth making them your enemie as well?
These are difficult questions. I know how I would answer them, but I can't condemn someone else for coming up with different answers than I would give.
My guess is that your mum is trying to come up with a diplomatic way to hold your neighbors accountable, and she may succeed. If she does, everybody wins, including you and the cat. I don't know your mum, so I have no way of judging her abilities at this. I can't come up with anything that I think might work, but diplomacy is hardly my strong suit. I seriously hope your mother is better at it than I am.
I'm glad you're getting tutoring. It should make it a lot easier to get your grades up. Please remember that putting in the effort to actually understand what you're being taught is more important than just about anything else in education. Any time there's something you don't understand, ask your tutor.
Margret
Your mum is in a very tough spot. She doesn't like seeing an animal mistreated, and she especially doesn't like the way it's hurting you. But she also doesn't want a feud with the neighbors.
There are only two good solutions, and both of them, unfortunately, depend on your neighbors. One would be for your neighbors to actually live up to their responsibility to take care of their cat, and the other would be for them to give the cat to you. Obviously, your neighbors aren't going to do either of those things of their own accord. And at this point, I'm stumped for an answer. The kind of neglect your neighbors display would certainly be counted as criminal in the U.S., but I don't know about the U.K.. And if this is criminal neglect in the U.K., then what? Do you call the RSPCA and ask for assistance in holding your neighbors accountable? They're likely to still be your neighbors long after the cat has died of old age -- is it worth making them your enemie as well?
These are difficult questions. I know how I would answer them, but I can't condemn someone else for coming up with different answers than I would give.
My guess is that your mum is trying to come up with a diplomatic way to hold your neighbors accountable, and she may succeed. If she does, everybody wins, including you and the cat. I don't know your mum, so I have no way of judging her abilities at this. I can't come up with anything that I think might work, but diplomacy is hardly my strong suit. I seriously hope your mother is better at it than I am.
I'm glad you're getting tutoring. It should make it a lot easier to get your grades up. Please remember that putting in the effort to actually understand what you're being taught is more important than just about anything else in education. Any time there's something you don't understand, ask your tutor.
Margret
