Neighbour has “stolen” our cat and is now asking for us to pay for the vet’s bill

Wouldcouldcantwont · 2020-06-10 12:57:37

Our cat has been missing on and off for nearly a year. I say on and off as he has appeared twice in that time but he seemed like a completely different cat. He was exceptionally nervous and as fat as butter. We got him about 6 years ago from a shelter and were told he was a garden cat. Before he was in the shelter he was a stray and used to go mad if he was indoors with the door closed (when he had an op and had to stay in to recover he caused loads of damage but we didn’t mind as it wasn’t his fault). He had a little cat house outside, and he lived happily in the garden and was know and loved by our neighbours on the street. He suddenly went missing one day, which turned into weeks and then months. We went out looking for him, but nothing (apart from the two strange visits). Well today we’ve had a knock at the door from a woman saying she has been feeding and looking after him but now he’s unwell. She wants to take him to the the vets but........(hints at wanting us to pay). The thing is she has already taken him as she doesn’t live on our road and let slip that the vet wants to talk to us, plus how would she know our address (obviously his chip was scanned at the vets)? I’m so conflicted! I’m happy he’s been found , worried that he’s unwell (off his food apparently), but can’t help thinking she must have trapped him in her house. I want him back with us, but if she is going to try keeping him again, I don’t see why I should pay. It’s not about the money honestly. I want him back, but I don’t want to keep him indoors all the time as I think that‘s cruel. He loves his freedom (obviously loves his food too now!). She took the decision out of my hands about taking him to the vet. She’s “had” him for nearly a year now and didn’t bother to find us before she thought he needed to visit the vet (she also took him to one I don’t like and they happen to be very expensive). What would you do? Thanks.

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This thread has been deleted

We're taking this thread down for the OP. It's an old thread that got reactivated today, and it's brought up some sad memories for the OP. In the circumstances we've agreed to remove it.

Thanks to everyone who responded at the time.

Sending good wi...