Neighbor Issues with feral cat...

Hello! I am seeking some knowledgeable input about a stray cat situation.

The story goes like this. My neighbor had a stray cat living in his backyard. She had no home outside the garden she had decided to spend her days in. Both the guy(his parents rent the apartment) who lives there and I had been feeding the cat. I was making preparations to create a winter shelter for her to put in the yard. In the midst I figured it would be benificial to everyone including the other feral cats that roamed the neighborhood to have her tested and spayed. I made sure I got permission to enter their yard and told the mother (head of the household) what my plan was. 1) to catch the cat 2) get her tested and spayed and hopefully 3) find a home for her. The mother thought she was my cat in the first place and that her son was just feeding her. She seemed delighted regardless.

So I got her tested and spayed. She has a clean bill of health and all. My brother who has a house offered to take care of her while she healed. He was also looking to adopt a cat while it was all happening. Long story short he paid for the vet, made sure she healed up and fell in love and named her "Josie".

Now the problem. The girl who is dating the guy next door is flipping out. I explained what I was going to do and she even helped me put Josie in the carrier the afternoon before her surgery. She doesn't live in the apartment and the cat was strictly an outside cat with no tags or microchip, the family had no intent on bringing the cat in either because they have to many already.

I'm being accused by the girlfriend for stealing Josie. It's mind boggling. I can understand her being unhappy that she isn't a "fixture in the garden" while it's nice out but winter is coming and she now has a home!

I'm curious if I'm making something out of nothing but I don't believe I did anything wrong and I had permission to enter the yard. There was no trespassing, I was honest about what I was going to do and I was happy to report that she has a home. I'm just receiving grief from a person who doesn't even live there. Did I legally do anything wrong?

Sorry for the dramatics. There's so many cats on the streets and in the shelters and Josie was fortunate to find a home.
Thank you!

You did nothing wrong. Everything you did was more than all right - it was wonderful for this little girl. The girlfriend is being unreasonable and is not considering the best interests of Josie. It is ALWAYS better for a cat to have a home! I can understand the girlfriend got attached to Josie and misses her but the bottom line is that she needs to stop thinking of herself and start thinking of Josie. Good for you rescuing this beautiful cat and kudos to your brother for taking her in. I hope with time the girlfriend sees the wisdom and compassion in your actions and stops giving you such a hard time.

I agree with Margd - you did everything right. From your description, the girlfriend wasn't even feeding Josie, so I have no idea where she's coming from.

Thank you for helping this kitty. If everyone stepped up to the plate like this, there would be no more homeless animals!

Thank you. The catalyst of this all was being intercepted at my door by the girlfriend, her asking how the cats doing then she continued to tell me that I have mental problems, that I'm sick in the head and then followed it with maybe I should find your dog a new home to be happy in. To the best of

To the best of my ability I politely responded that all of my pets are microchiped and/or are licensed and have a safe loving home. I hope it dissipates before it reaching a very uncomfortable level.

Wow. She just sounds plain mean. I think you can safely ignore anything she says.

Frankly, it sounds to me that if anyone has mental issues, it's the girlfriend. She doesn't even live there and you had the blessing of the people who do so this really isn't her business. Furthermore the comment about your dog was uncalled for and a little scary. You didn't rehome her cat. You found a home for a semi-feral. The idea that she equates the situation with your dog with that of Josie is simply nuts. I really hope this is the last you hear from this loon.

I hope so too. Thank you all for your input. It helps put my mind at ease.

The chick has no idea the length I'd go to to protect my pets. Crazy wouldn't even begin to describe it lol They are my life!

I agree with everyone here, you did everything properly. I think what you did was amazing now this beautiful kitty has a loving home. I suspect the crazy girlfriend will find something new to keep her preoccupied soon, but please be extra vigilant  just in case.  Thanks for taking care of Josie, she really is cute 

Legally, the cat is yours. In most states, once you have a veterinarian's record for a cat, you're considered the owner. Some states have lesser requirements--if you feed a stray or feral, the cat is considered to be your responsibility. If she continues to harass you or make vague threats about your dog, you can call your local police station and have a  chat with an officer about the situation. This will cover you in the unlikely event that this crazy woman either accuses you of stealing the cat, or tries to hurt your dog. The police will have a file about the situation already.  You did a wonderful thing caring for this cat and finding it a good home!

Thank you MsAimee, the neighbor that lives downstairs from me is a bergen county animal control officer and he also reiterated exactly what you said. I might file a report soon just to have it on record like you said.

Quick update:: was harassed by the girl one time verbally then the next time I was leaving my house and a note was stuck to my mailbox. Wednesday night I went to the police department told them the situation. They suggested that they just go to the house before filing a complaint. Apparently the son has been a lot of trouble with the cops in town. I ade it clear that it was the girlfriend giving me greif. Thursday afternoon when I got home with kids I watch for a few hours and she started with me and I told her I went to the police and I highly suggest she leaves me the "f" alone. Her boyfriend told her to also. I hope this was all that was left of that matter. On the bright side Josie has started sleeping on my brothers bed. Not with him but on his bed. Things are still rocky between her and his other cat but I have faith that since they aren't beating the crap out of each other already they will be okay with time.

Look at Josie all cosy on the bed. She obviously is a very happy cat now that she has a real home.

Hopefully Girlfriend will leave you alone now. The fact that her boyfriend told her to lay off is a big help.

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how things were going. [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Glad you got the police involved and that they're willing to help. Next time this woman harasses you, give them a call so they can make a little visit. If she wanted this cat so much, how come she wasn't willing to bring it into her own home? Josie looks very happy to have a good home and be sleeping on a bed instead of under a car outside. That's what really matters. And yes, the cats will learn to co-exist and may even become good friends in time. It's sounds like a very hopeful beginning!