Who should pay the vet's bill?

I had a bit of a problem this morning. I got up around 8:00, and took Jamie out for his walk even before I'd had my shower and coffee, because the sky looked really bad - a blizzard was definitely imminent. Being half asleep still, I failed to notice that a neighbor's cat was in our yard, hiding behind a bush. Jamie knew he was there at once, and attacked him, giving him deep puncture wounds in the neck. I called our neighbor, and she ended up taking her cat to the emergency vet. I told her I'd pay the bill, and she said no, because her cat was "trespassing". That's silly - how do you explain "trespassing" to a cat? Anyway, this afternon I called the emergency vet, whom I've dealt with before, and told him to send me the bill. He apparently called her and told her I was paying the bill, because she came over here this evening, very upset, and said she wouldn't accept that. She has to pay double the normal price, because it's Sunday. Her cat, Timo, is in our yard all the time, since he likes the catnip and bird feeders. Aren't we inviting cats by having such things? He's a little love, and doesn't even defend himself against Jamie. My husband told her we were paying, period, which really upset her. Our cat attacked her cat, and was able to do so because I wasn't paying attention. I can't understand her reaction, and can't believe we're getting into an argument over this. Jamie did the damage, and I didn't prevent it, although I know how he is with other cats. The way i see it, I was negligent, not she. So why is she reacting this way?

It could be a pride thing. Perhaps if you told her that you will at least pay for half she would be more willing to accept it? Explain it that you will pay for the doubled amount of the fee, and tell her that you feel responsible for Jamie's actions, and it's the least you can do.

Heidi that is an excellent idea!

Perhaps she feels guilty that her cat got away from her and into your yard. If I were in her place , I would take responsibility for any injury that one of mine had since I'm the one that allowed my cat over to your yard. It wouldn't be my pride, it would be my responsibility.

I think it's so sweet of you to want to pay Tricia because theres a lot who wouldn't!.

If i was in your neighbours situation and that was my cat, me being the independant person that i am would be the same.

I'm one of these people who prefers to pay her own way on things, does that make sense?!.

Don't get me wrong though if i was in your situation i'd be doing the same as you but when it comes to me, i don't want help unless it's really necessary.

Does she seem like an independant person?!.

Why not offer to simply split the bill if it will allow her to be "happy"? My way of thinking is this:

There were two cats involved and there is no cat leash law, they are "free roaming" pets that come and go as they desire. Noone is neglecting either pet and at fault that way. Despite property lines, they are territory protecting creatures and only really respect their own boundries. Noone plans what day to have an accident on either, those things just happen and you do not set the hospital rates, the hospital does. Its just nature being nature and those things are bound to happen.

Tricia,

I think you're a wonderful, responsible person for wanting to pay the vet bill. I would just sit down and talk with your neighbor and explain your reasoning. If she still doesn't want you to pay the bill (and is truly upset about this, not just politely insisting), ask if you can pay half.

You are right, you cant explain trespassing to a cat, but I think I would have felt the same way as your neighbor. I wouldnt have wanted you to pay but if you insisted I wouldnt have gotten angry at you. I would have just explained to you that if I hadnt been negligent (IMO) in letting my cat outdoors by himself to begin with the entire episode would have never occured. Hopefully she will be more receptive to Heidi's suggestion but either way she is very lucky to have a neighbor like you.

The "problem" is that Timo was born to a feral cat, and ended up in the local shelter at about the age of 16 weeks, and simply can't tolerate being an "indoor only" cat. His owner lives about a block away, and we've never done anything to discourage Timo's visits. In fact, we both pet him and talk to him. She's absolutely not responsible for his so-called trespassing, and since I know how Jamie is, and that neighbors' cats are often in our yard, it really was my mistake. I can't believe I'm arguing with her about this, and that she's so upset about it. Jamie attacked him, and I didn't take precautions to prevent it.

I'd ask her over for a coffee just to discuss things from both your points of views.

I can see your reasons but i can also see hers, but if one of you came up with the going half on the bill then for me that would solve everything.

tricia she probably feels guilty for Timo and this is her way of doing penance. sadly you cant force her to let you pay but maybe you could make Timo up a basket of cat treats to speed his recovery?

dont blame yourself, accidents happen.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I'd ask her over for a coffee just to discuss things from both your points of views.

I can see your reasons but i can also see hers, but if one of you came up with the going half on the bill then for me that would solve everything.

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Good advice, Susan. I think having her over for a chat would be a good thing. She just needs to know that you want to help out of the goodness of your heart and out of your love for cats.

Hey tricia id love to be your neighbour!
I couldnt accept a full payment of the event unless its from my parents or bf, but i would greatly accept for half of the fee.
Id go along with everyone else and suggest for half.
If she still persists then let it go and get her a pressie instead

In my opinion paying half sounds fair. To me your neighboor is atleast partially responsible because she allows her cat to go outside unattended. Even if you were half asleep had your neighboor kept her cat at home this would have never happened.

I think you are being very generous and responsible to offer to pay the bill but if she won't accept it there's not much you can do. I hope everything works out.

BTW, is the kitty OK now???

Originally Posted by crazy4cats28

In my opinion paying half sounds fair. To me your neighboor is atleast partially responsible because she allows her cat to go outside unattended. Even if you were half asleep had your neighboor kept her cat at home this would have never happened.

I think you are being very generous and responsible to offer to pay the bill but if she won't accept it there's not much you can do. I hope everything works out.

BTW, is the kitty OK now???

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He's going to be on antibiotics for the next few days. I'll call her tomorrow, and suggest 50:50, but I really don't feel right about it. The whole incident was really my fault, not hers.

No Tricia it wasn't your fault or anyones fault!. It's one of those things that happend and unfortunatly nothing can change it.

Your blaming yourself and your neighbours blaming herself, and really it's no ones fault.

Do what you've just said about seeing her tomorrow and offer to go 50/50, because tomorrow is a new day and things will be a lot more calmer

Originally Posted by rosiemac

No Tricia it wasn't your fault or anyones fault!. It's one of those things that happend and unfortunatly nothing can change it.

Your blaming yourself and your neighbours blaming herself, and really it's no ones fault.

Do what you've just said about seeing her tomorrow and offer to go 50/50, because tomorrow is a new day and things will be a lot more calmer

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Exactly. Not your fault! Got it? I think it's fantastic that you're offering to pay but if she says no, I think you should just accept it... I mean, you can't FORCE her take the money, sorry! Maybe if she won't take the money, buy her a little something (a plant or whatever) to say you're sorry, and then move on.

Originally Posted by jcat

The whole incident was really my fault, not hers.

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thats so silly. if it was anyones fault is was Timos for being somewhere he shouldnt and Jamie's for being a meany! <---- and we all know saying that is ridiculous!

cats get into trouble all the time and there are often vet bills to pay as a result. its just something you have to chance and budget for when deciding to own a cat.

if she wont accept money pay her back in other ways. do her a good deed or do her grocery shopping for a week. she knows your sorry but for her own reasons doesnt want you to pay.

get her a big pack of cat food tricia

I think I'll call the vet tomorrow, and request that he just bill her for the antibiotics, and bill me for everything else. This bothers me, because this gal is in her mid-twenties, has two kids under 4, and she and her husband are making major renovations to their condo. Timo is very well cared for. We have no kids, both work, and the house is paid for. Plus - we encouraged Timo to hang out here, and we know how Jamie is with other cats.