Long-term foster to adoption question

[BTPhilly]

Hello there, I'm new to this site and have a 7-year old Bombay and just adopted a young kitten

Technically, we are only fostering the 7yo for a friend of a friend who left the country in November of 2017. My wife and I live in a large house with a nice patio where the cat has tons of room to roam and play, and she's grown quite attached to us.

The original owner adopted her in November 2014 and said she wants to come back and reclaim her in September of 2021. We asked her about the possibility of just adopting her permanently, but she said she definitely wants her back.

My wife and I have no intentions of actually sending her back to the original owner after taking care of her for almost 4 years and approximately half of her lifetime. Is this legit, or wrong of us? I don't think the cat would be happy having to resettle after all this time.

Please give your opinions. Thanks! Bronson

 

[cataholic07]

Yah I'd say no too, the original owner would no longer be considered the owner of the cat, so has no legal rights to the cat.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

From the point of view of the cat's best interest, I'm with you! It could get tricky under the law. Is the cat registered, and is the former owner's name on the registry? Has she been sending money to you for ALL upkeep, including vet bills, food, furnishings, etc? If she has not, if you have been providing everything for this cat, then in MANY places, the cat would be legally considered to have been abandoned to you, and you are the legal owners now. I'd talk to someone familiar with animal ownership laws in your area, and get any needed proof of ownership gathered well before she comes back to try to claim the cat.

 

[tabbytom]

BTPhilly and kitty, on behalf of The Catsite community, a warm

So glad that you’ve joined this wonderful site and you are in the right place for all things cat and this site is loaded with tons of rich resources and you’ll find friendly and helpful cats around and many of our cats are very knowledgeable in cat related stuffs.

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