stray cat

[woolleysheep]

My son recently took in a stray cat that was badly injured , took it to the vets and has accumulated a bill of about �200. the people the cat lived with ( i wont call them owners) have moved house and left the cat behind,what rights would they have if they wanted the cat back.

[lizzydrippin]

No rights at all unless they could proove that the cat had belonged to them (like if it was micro-chipped). In my experience the sort of people who get their cats micro-chipped are normally responsible and loving owners. They dont move away leaving the cat behind. Also, most cats choose their own owners and all cats know a good home when they find one. I really dont think these people will ever be back for the cat. Good on your son for saving this cats life.

[saxy_jag]

They may just have case to pursue, in legal terms, but I doubt they'd get very far. For a start, your son has the vet to back him up, and I'm sure the RSPCA would be interested too. If the 'owners' wanted to take the matter further, the court would have to find in the best interests of the animal, which is unlikely to involve the little s*its.

[wolf63]

nobody 'owns' a cat.

If the cat is happy with your son then it is obvious that your son is its new slave and bringer of food. Your son will soon be fully trained and they will live happily ever after.

[Kimmiebear]

If the cat has a tattoo, microchip or distinct identifying mark then the owners could press for his return from them. If they hadn't moved house and had a house sitter or whatever that was to be looking after the cat then they might have a case. However if they moved and left the cat and suddenly decide that they want it back, you would have good grounds to keep it, or to at least make them pay for all vet bills since you took over ownership.
My advice would be to enjoy your new cat as the owners are not likely to come back for it if they actually moved and left it.

[RATTER15]

I think the law on this is: once you allow the cat or any other unlicensed animal the right to roam outdoors unrestricted by boundaries, it becomes a wild animal and that means you basically relinquish ownership of that animal, however I may just be talking out my backside.

[SCHUMI]

very interesting posts. i have been told that even if you have your animal microchipped in your name it still does not hold up in court as a legal ownership document. and you cannot own a cat as it is classed as a wild animal in the eyes of the law. if the "owners" tried to claim it back show them the vet bill and i could swear u'd see a clean pair of heels!!!

[woolleysheep]

many thanks for the answers, the cat seems to be improving slowly and is eating again so it must be feeling better, hope it has a long an d happy liye ,by the way he let a cat in when he lived at home 22 years ago and we lived with her for 20 years sadly dying last year.

[luckyeight]

Well done to your son - what a caring thing to do for an animal :)