Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 16:12:55 GMT
About three months ago I found a very small cat in the garden, he was showing very obvious signs of being malnourished. Patches of his fur were missing under his neck and the skin was scaly and scabby, he had the very sucked in appearance which is apparent with a bad case of worms. He scratched constantly and was crying for food. He was very timid and everything scared him. Doing what I thought was the right thing I brought him in and fed him then let him back out. As the weather got worse we let him stay in and I've brought him back to full health, he is free from fleas, worms and other cat nasties, his coat is now thick and glossy.
I took him to the vet and found out he was micro chipped but that the chip was not registered on the system. I was told to wait while the vets tried to track the owners down, if no one was found to be his owner I could keep him. So I waited and got two phone calls saying I was ok to register him to me. I took him back to the vet yesterday for a check up and to sign the paperwork that made him officially mine. When I got there a very snotty vet told me in no uncertain terms that the cat was not mine but a very well looked after family pet. She went on to say that the 'real owners' swear that the cat has never been missing and that I've stolen him. I was told never to feed him again and that I must return him straight away to his owners.
I told her what condition he was in when I found him but I was branded a liar as this cat never leaves his home and doesn't wander (hello, I was standing there with him in a basket!!).
So now I don't know what to do, I am certain that if I stop feeding him he will starve to death and not get any of the care he needs. I'm totally disgusted with the vet, surely her job is to protect animals not to return them to people who mistreat them?
What would you do? Push him out and not feed him or continue as I have been doing? I have no idea where I stand legally if they want to get funny with me.
Please be gentle as this whole thing has got me very upset.
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Dalai Mama
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La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Mar 13, 2015 16:18:32 GMT
Tell the vet to f@$% off and that, if the family wants the cat, they can come get him.
ETA* Who treated the cat for the worms and fleas? |
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Post by annabella on Mar 13, 2015 16:20:47 GMT
I would call your local humane society, I would assume they would police the situation better and not believe the owner who is lying. Did he report his cat missing? Since it's chipped I would assume there's an electronic system to report a missing cat.
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smartypants71
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Posts: 5,710 
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Mar 13, 2015 16:21:14 GMT
I need more info to offer my opinion. Did this same vet not treat him for worms and fleas? Did you attempt to find the owners when you first started feeding the cat?
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Post by gritzi on Mar 13, 2015 16:22:07 GMT
That!!
IF I chose to return the cat my vet & care expenses would be reimbursed first. Quite honestly, there's no way I would freely return him. Do you have other vets, friends, neighbors who saw the cat's condition prior to him feeling & looking better?
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Post by annabella on Mar 13, 2015 16:24:38 GMT
IF I chose to return the cat my vet & care expenses would be reimbursed first. Quite honestly, there's no way I would freely return him. Do you have other vets, friends, neighbors who saw the cat's condition prior to him feeling & looking better? Most definitely, ask for a reimbursement FIRST before returning her. Because you have no recourse afterwards to get it. There was a funeral thread here yesterday where someone said the funeral parlor requested full payment upfront before doing anything. Likewise, you have to protect your investment the same way. Don't forget that a check can be cancelled so put that into your timeline. |
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Mar 13, 2015 16:25:15 GMT
Is it possible the same 'tracking number' appears on more than 1 microchip registration system? I would not stop feeding the cat. Nor would I put him outside to fend for himself. I seriously believe a mistake was made with the vet and the so called former owners. For now I suggest you go on with life and not use that vet office ever again.
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Post by Zee on Mar 13, 2015 16:28:54 GMT
Don't they have a record there of your taking him on for care for the worms and fleas? If he was in the condition you say you found him in, they wouldn't get him back from me without a legal order for me to do so. I think you're fine to switch vets and keep kitty, if that's what you want to do. Let them pursue it legally...I bet they won't.
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Post by theroadlesstraveledp on Mar 13, 2015 16:31:20 GMT
Find a new vet. Have all the records transferred to the new vet.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 12:12:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 16:32:58 GMT
Where did this "family" come from and what proof do they have that it is their cat? I wouldn't be turning that poor kitty over without any proof.
And I would find a new vet asap.
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Post by jojam on Mar 13, 2015 16:35:04 GMT
I'm confused.
You've been caring for this cat for months, taking it to the vet for worming meds, fleas, etc.
The vet has tried to track the cat by it's microchip, but the number wasn't registered, so they tried to find the original owners, but couldn't and said you could register the cat in your name.
Now the vet has found the real owners who say the cat was never missing, that it has been inside their house the whole time until you stole him? And you are supposed to just set it outside and hope it finds its way home?
Are the original owners your neighbors? What am I missing?
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MizIndependent
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Quit your bullpoop.
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Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Mar 13, 2015 16:36:21 GMT
Do you have any photo-documentation of the condition of the cat when you started feeding him? No telling how long he was missing before he found you to help him. It could very well be that the cat usually never wanders but somehow got out and got lost. It could also be that this family has been out of their mind with worry about their cat. You are such a wonderful, sweet person for caring for and bringing back to health this cat...don't let the shitty attitude of a judgmental vet bring you down. Not a lawyer, but I do believe animals are considered property by most states (watched a very heated custody battle of a dog here in Oregon a couple of years ago) and you could potentially be opening yourself up to some legal trouble if you don't try to reunite the cat with his family. |
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 12:12:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 16:41:43 GMT
I treated him for the fleas and worms myself, I've had cats before and have always done it myself. I took him to the vets after a couple of weeks (it was around the time my mum was ill so I didn't get chance before then) they scanned him and found he had a micro chip but it was not registered on any system. They rang round the other vets in the area with a description (he has no tail so is easy to identify) but no one had ever seen or treated him.
Somehow, miraculously, he is now registered to a loving owner who looks after him very well and he spends all his time inside at her house. I'm flummoxed tbh.
I can't in good conscience send him out when I know how he will end up.
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Post by littlemama on Mar 13, 2015 16:45:23 GMT
Wouldn't the vet's office have record of the cat's condition since they were the ones treating him? I would speak to the owner of the clinic about what happened - their office told you the microchip wasn't registered, their office told you the microchip could be registered to you, their office has been treating the cat for three months. Their office should have all of this documented. How did it happen that this vet knew when he saw your cat that it was the one the people claimed was theirs?
There is a lot of weirdness in this situation.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 12:12:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 16:46:23 GMT
Do you have any photo-documentation of the condition of the cat when you started feeding him? No telling how long he was missing before he found you to help him. It could very well be that the cat usually never wanders but somehow got out and got lost. It could also be that this family has been out of their mind with worry about their cat. You are such a wonderful, sweet person for caring for and bringing back to health this cat...don't let the shitty attitude of a judgmental vet bring you down. Not a lawyer, but I do believe animals are considered property by most states (watched a very heated custody battle of a dog here in Oregon a couple of years ago) and you could potentially be opening yourself up to some legal trouble if you don't try to reunite the cat with his family. I didn't take any pictures unfortunately, it just never occurred to me. I know I've handled the whole thing badly  The owner swears that the cat has never been missing from his home, they are not aware that he has spent one night away from their home!! Legal trouble is what I'm afraid of. |
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Post by littlemama on Mar 13, 2015 16:46:17 GMT
Whoops! We were posting at the same time. I would still want to know how the vet's office failed to identify the cat's owner the first time, but now suddenly can.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 12:12:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 16:50:01 GMT
Whoops! We were posting at the same time. I would still want to know how the vet's office failed to identify the cat's owner the first time, but now suddenly can. They actually gave me the chip number so I could try and track it myself, it was not registered on any database that I or the vets could find. The vet yesterday said there must have been a glitch on the system! The little guy in question is on my avatar. |
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smartypants71
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Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Mar 13, 2015 16:52:08 GMT
Do you have any photo-documentation of the condition of the cat when you started feeding him? No telling how long he was missing before he found you to help him. It could very well be that the cat usually never wanders but somehow got out and got lost. It could also be that this family has been out of their mind with worry about their cat. You are such a wonderful, sweet person for caring for and bringing back to health this cat...don't let the shitty attitude of a judgmental vet bring you down. Not a lawyer, but I do believe animals are considered property by most states (watched a very heated custody battle of a dog here in Oregon a couple of years ago) and you could potentially be opening yourself up to some legal trouble if you don't try to reunite the cat with his family. I didn't take any pictures unfortunately, it just never occurred to me. I know I've handled the whole thing badly The owner swears that the cat has never been missing from his home, they are not aware that he has spent one night away from their home!! Legal trouble is what I'm afraid of. Hopefully it won't come to that. I'd say that this person who claims to be the owner of the cat needs to come up with some proof that it belongs to her before I'd turn him over. And I'd be tempted to tell them that you "lost the cat" too. |
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Sarah*H
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Post by Sarah*H on Mar 13, 2015 16:52:42 GMT
I think you need to be more assertive with this vet, bring up their own records of your visits that contradict the owner's story, and demand answers from the vet before you do anything about returning the cat.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 16:57:08 GMT
I don't believe in lying, but in this poor cat's case, I just might. I'd keep him inside only and tell the vet that you did turn him back loose outside. When they question where he is at, tell them you don't know as you were following directions to stop feeding him.
Reading that back, I sound like a horrid person. But I'd do anything to protect a poor defenseless animal!!!
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freebird
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Post by freebird on Mar 13, 2015 17:04:47 GMT
The person that feeds the cat, owns the cat. Just ask your local dog catcher what he/she says. lol.
I'd tell the vet to go fuck themselves, pick up MY cat and leave and never come back. I'd then leave them a review on yelp. I'd also get the damn cat unchipped.
Oh, and I'd make him an indoor cat.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Mar 13, 2015 17:10:57 GMT
I don't believe in lying, but in this poor cat's case, I just might. I'd keep him inside only and tell the vet that you did turn him back loose outside. When they question where he is at, tell them you don't know as you were following directions to stop feeding him.
Reading that back, I sound like a horrid person. But I'd do anything to protect a poor defenseless animal!!!
I agree. Keep the cat. You know the truth about his condition and how he needed care. Don't ever go to that vet again. And if questioned, tell the vet that you did exactly as she said to do, released the cat, and haven't fed it since. Say that it must have gone back to its owner. |
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MizIndependent
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Quit your bullpoop.
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Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Mar 13, 2015 17:13:43 GMT
I don't believe in lying, but in this poor cat's case, I just might. I'd keep him inside only and tell the vet that you did turn him back loose outside. When they question where he is at, tell them you don't know as you were following directions to stop feeding him.
Reading that back, I sound like a horrid person. But I'd do anything to protect a poor defenseless animal!!! Nicoli, respectfully, I disagree with you as this would certainly open OP up to negative legal ramifications including possible jail time if it is proven that the alleged owners are the actual owners and OP is keeping the cat from them. I do think, though, the alleged owners should definitively prove they actually own the cat before OP hands it over. It is a possibility they may not be able to. |
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Post by annabella on Mar 13, 2015 17:18:36 GMT
I didn't take any pictures unfortunately, it just never occurred to me. I know I've handled the whole thing badly The owner swears that the cat has never been missing from his home, they are not aware that he has spent one night away from their home!! Legal trouble is what I'm afraid of. That doesn't make any sense, you've had the cat for three months. The vet knows you've had the cat for more than one night. I wonder if it's the wrong family/another chip glitch? First of all if I found a cat in that condition I never would have looked up the microchip unless I intended to have the owners prosecuted for miscare, otherwise what was the point? You knew looking up the chip meant returning the cat. If you didn't want to do that, why look up the chip? I understand legally you might have to return the cat, I'm simply saying make sure you recoup the money you spent on the cat. Add up the costs of feeding him as well. |
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Post by padresfan619 on Mar 13, 2015 17:20:39 GMT
I didn't take any pictures unfortunately, it just never occurred to me. I know I've handled the whole thing badly The owner swears that the cat has never been missing from his home, they are not aware that he has spent one night away from their home!! Legal trouble is what I'm afraid of. That doesn't make any sense, you've had the cat for three months. The vet knows you've had the cat for more than one night. I wonder if it's the wrong family/another chip glitch? First of all if I found a cat in that condition I never would have looked up the microchip unless I intended to have the owners prosecuted for miscare, otherwise what was the point? You knew looking up the chip meant returning the cat. If you didn't want to do that, why look up the chip? I understand legally you might have to return the cat, I'm simply saying make sure you recoup the money you spent on the cat. Add up the costs of feeding him as well. She may not have had a choice to have the cat scanned at the vet. If a stray is brought in protocol is to first scan for a possible microchip. |
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Post by *sprout* on Mar 13, 2015 17:20:59 GMT
If there was a glitch in the system resulting in the chip number showing it was not registered, could you bring the cat to a different vet and have it the chip scanned? If it truly was a glitch, the owner's information should show up when it's scanned now.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,539
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Post by MerryMom on Mar 13, 2015 17:21:50 GMT
If the vet said spoke to me in the manner in which you describe, first of all, he would have gotten my stink eye and then a very snotty "So apparently you haven't read the record of how this animal was when I first brought him in?". Second, that person would no longer be my vet.
Since the vet has a record of the condition of the animal when you first brought him in, that is not an issue.
At this point, it is up to the owner to ask for the animal back. The animal is mine until a court or law enforcement tells me otherwise. Oh, and before I would hand that cat back directly to the owners, they would have to reimburse me for the vet bill.
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Post by gar on Mar 13, 2015 17:47:32 GMT
How can the vet possibly back this family's claims when they know you've been bringing it in to them? That just doesn't add up. They must have records of your visits. I think you're going to have to ask some more questions before handing him over.
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Post by gailoh on Mar 13, 2015 17:50:41 GMT
I would keep him...you care..they didn't
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momto4kiddos
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Mar 13, 2015 17:50:49 GMT
How long ago was the vet appointment where they scanned him? Is it the same vet office? You must have a receipt from the treatment?
If he hasn't been out of their home, how in the world would you be having him treated at the vet likely a few weeks ago? No solid advice from me, but I would definitely make sure you have documentation to visits, etc.
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