So, around August-September time we had a black cat (from the 'name my cat' thread) effectively adopt us.
For a few weeks he started being a visitor in our back-garden, sleeping there day and night, and begging for food. He had no collar, was very skinny, and soon after he began running into the house and that was that. We took him in, took him down the vet, got him chipped, put a collar on him and started treating him for some skin-issue he had. This was a fair few months ago now.
Today however, he came back with a different collar on. There was some confusion naturally and my mum was asking if it was definitely our cat. I said yes because he was behaving in exactly the same way; running into same spots, jumping onto my bed to sleep, and playing the same way he does. He even looked the same, I was certain it was him. There was a number on the collar, so my mother phoned them and explained the situation. The lady on the other end has claimed that it's her cat and that they moved from a few roads away to this road a while back. She's also claimed that he was neutered as a kitten (not sure on this as he has a big ol' pair on him) and he got lost when they moved. Fair enough, it's plausible. She's also said that if he's been neutered, because we said we didn't do it and that if he's been 'done', she's going to keep him. I'm not sure how that's likely though unless she locks him inside as he returns here every time.
Now, here's where the confusion starts to play: what should we do? Her story is plausible, but she also said she noticed the new collar ages ago - why didn't she do anything about it then? We said he's chipped, registered to us and has been receiving treatment - she doesn't give a damn. If she noticed the collar ages ago (remember she claimed he got lost from their new house and the collar was put on when we took him in 'ages' ago) why was he so skinny? He was very thin, so clearly starving - if the time-frame works out, then clearly he just wasn't being looked after. Also, why was she so content to sit on the situation until now even though she's clearly aware that someone else was looking after him by the fact he had a collar? Finally, why didn't she get him chipped?
These issues aside, the cat obviously likes it here (he's sat behind me as we speak) as this is where he returns, eats and sleeps. He's now registered to us via microchip, we've paid for medication (not much, but it's the point) and we've also got used to having him around. This woman clearly hasn't been too bothered about him until now, but is now threatening to effectively take him back, or lock him inside or whatever it is she's planning.
I just can't understand that if this was her cat and she realised he returned (it wouldn't have taken long for him to find their new home if he explores the back gardens) and then sat on her bum for so long as he's obviously being cared for elsewhere.
A part of me is thinking **** this woman and let the poor bugger be a house-cat for a while and that she vetoed her right. We saw no posters or anything. She's just been completely lacklustre if her side of events is true.
I've got a bad feeling if we let him out now, we'll never see him again. So OcuK, thoughts please?
For a few weeks he started being a visitor in our back-garden, sleeping there day and night, and begging for food. He had no collar, was very skinny, and soon after he began running into the house and that was that. We took him in, took him down the vet, got him chipped, put a collar on him and started treating him for some skin-issue he had. This was a fair few months ago now.
Today however, he came back with a different collar on. There was some confusion naturally and my mum was asking if it was definitely our cat. I said yes because he was behaving in exactly the same way; running into same spots, jumping onto my bed to sleep, and playing the same way he does. He even looked the same, I was certain it was him. There was a number on the collar, so my mother phoned them and explained the situation. The lady on the other end has claimed that it's her cat and that they moved from a few roads away to this road a while back. She's also claimed that he was neutered as a kitten (not sure on this as he has a big ol' pair on him) and he got lost when they moved. Fair enough, it's plausible. She's also said that if he's been neutered, because we said we didn't do it and that if he's been 'done', she's going to keep him. I'm not sure how that's likely though unless she locks him inside as he returns here every time.
Now, here's where the confusion starts to play: what should we do? Her story is plausible, but she also said she noticed the new collar ages ago - why didn't she do anything about it then? We said he's chipped, registered to us and has been receiving treatment - she doesn't give a damn. If she noticed the collar ages ago (remember she claimed he got lost from their new house and the collar was put on when we took him in 'ages' ago) why was he so skinny? He was very thin, so clearly starving - if the time-frame works out, then clearly he just wasn't being looked after. Also, why was she so content to sit on the situation until now even though she's clearly aware that someone else was looking after him by the fact he had a collar? Finally, why didn't she get him chipped?
These issues aside, the cat obviously likes it here (he's sat behind me as we speak) as this is where he returns, eats and sleeps. He's now registered to us via microchip, we've paid for medication (not much, but it's the point) and we've also got used to having him around. This woman clearly hasn't been too bothered about him until now, but is now threatening to effectively take him back, or lock him inside or whatever it is she's planning.
I just can't understand that if this was her cat and she realised he returned (it wouldn't have taken long for him to find their new home if he explores the back gardens) and then sat on her bum for so long as he's obviously being cared for elsewhere.
A part of me is thinking **** this woman and let the poor bugger be a house-cat for a while and that she vetoed her right. We saw no posters or anything. She's just been completely lacklustre if her side of events is true.
I've got a bad feeling if we let him out now, we'll never see him again. So OcuK, thoughts please?
The woman does sound dodgy to me from what you've said though but I reckon if you keep him indoors at your place for a while then once he does get out again, he might not want to return for fear of being banged up again?