Who should pay the vet's bill?

Tricia if it was me i would tell her what you want to do first?!.

I don't know what your neighbours like i'm just thinking in case she gets annoyed?!.

You know her better than what we do so how do you think she would react?.

Tricia - I want to be your neighbor! You are overwhelmingly generous!!!

If your cat wandered in someone else's yard and got hurt, would you expect them to pay the vet bill? (I suspect not)

She's most likly a very proud person and doesn't want help. Offer to pay half and see what she says. but if she doesn't want the money, don't push the issue.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

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.

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I agree with Amy. Shame on me for letting my cat in someone's yard. It's very nice of you to offer and I can see your side, too.

Perhaps, if she is insistant on paying, you could buy her cat a months supply of cat food. Send it anonomously (buy it online) not that she will not figure it out, but once the deed is done, it will be done. If you have her over for coffee, sneak in a way to find out what food she uses, complain about Jamie being finicky and casually ask her what her brand is.

Recently, Wawa went over the wall and had a friendly and short spar with my neighbor's cat. He came back with a scratch on his ear and a wet back. It was obvious the neighbor splashed some water to shoo Wawa away.
If Wawa came back damaged like Timo, and IF my neighbor were a catlover like Tricia and paid Wawa's vet bills, I would be offended and insist on reimbursing my neighbor. I believe Wawa was in another cat's territory and in the feline world he got what he deserved. Wawa has his own turf to defend and he had no business going beyond it. So Tricia (jcat) I suggest you respect Timo's owner wishes and just learn from the experience.

I would not pay any of it if the owner is that bothered by it. I would get her kitty a get well present but let it go at that.

Originally Posted by jcat

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.

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I wouldn't do that without talking to her first! That might be the reason she got upset in the first place! Its one thing to offer to pay for the bills...its another to arrange with the vet "behind her back"

If she donesn't agree to the 50/50 I would do as some others suggested-maybe cat food-or how about offering to watch their children; donate to a shelter some $$ in her name-something nice for them. May be she is embarassed for your offer<

Well, I called her today and suggested the 50:50 split, and said that I felt reponsible because I had Jamie on the leash. Her husband told her to accept our offer to pay everything, which she doesn't want to do, so she's willing to split now. I'm getting some cat food for Timo, too. I know he loves "almo nature" canned food, which I feed Jamie and ZsaZsa, because sometimes he squeezes his way through ZsaZsa's cat flap (and that's a very tight fit!) and eats her food. She's still over here all the time. I just ordered a mixed case of it, and will give it to him from Jamie as an apology and as something to "help him recuperate". Thanks for the good advice!

Aww thats brilliant that she decided on 50/50 And i like the little gift from Jamie as well!

Tricia

That was a wonderful gesture on your part and I'm so happy that you have managed to sort this out. Because after all, it would be a shame to spoil a good relationship over a disagreement that happened because you are two lovely people. As others have said, this was nobody's fault, just one of those things that happens. I think a good chat over a cup of coffee is still a good thing, to give you both a chance to smile about all this and put it behind you. After all, where will you find this happening because two people are trying to stop the other one paying a bill rather than the other way round

We'll probably have that chat when I take the food over. We definitely have something in common - a love of cats and being stubborn.