Cat stealing

[Littlemisshappy12]

am really upset and just want to ask advice on here as I am being told different things.

Our cat is getting old and we have had him a long time. No problems but a neighbour with a young child has been feeding him and keeping him in.

They denied on many occasions the cat was there even when he was seen in the window. I explained we have had him a long time, has a loving home and is part of our family. Asked them to stop feeding him and to put him outside so he will go home.

They knew we were searching for him and distressed but they just don't care.

He got confused after some period of time and we found a huge difference in his behavior. Not like that cat we knew and another neighbour of ours commented on this as he has always been affectionate and purrs away. It was very odd and he was confused.

Decided to keep him in for a while but it was not fair as he is an out door cat and he wanted outside. In the time he was at home he was back to his old self and just as loving as ever.

So decided to let him back out. For a month he stayed close by but then ventured to explore.

Now we have a problem again. He has disappeared which is out of character now and after searching and being upset he was seen in their house crying at the window when he heard us. He wanted out.

Knocked on door but nothing. It's back to the same nightmare as before. We miss him and they know it.

Last time she made ridiculous comments like he was not being fed enough and always wanting food. She obviously doesn't understand our cat would eat until he exploded. Think most of them would and also at that time he had the freedom to go out late or whenever he wanted. She turned around and said he should not be out a night. Tell that to cat!

I'm worried about him as they have obviously been keeping him in or he would have been back.

I have read posts on here to get an idea to what has happened to others as I really don't understand why someone would take someone else's cat when it clearly has a good home.

I called the police but they said it was not a matter for them its animal welfare. He is microchipped and there should be documentation as we adopted him many many years ago.

Can someone please advice me how I stand. I contacted animal welfare but they referred me onto police. They said they can't do anything but totally understand my situation as it happens a lot.

I can't sleep. Just want my cat back. Please let me know what u think I should do as I just feel so distressed right now.

This would make me so mad and upset. What horrible neighbours I would persist the police

It's actually theft so the police can do something about it. All you need to do is get proof so the stupid inbred bitch can't lie and say it came in of its own accord and was free to leave or that she wasn't aware it was there. From what you say that shouldn't be hard to record on your phone. And then just proof it's yours like microchip details. Then go to the police station and insist they get back your property asap and charge the sticky fingered cow. They only don't want to get involved because chances are she'd lie but if you have proof that's solved. I doubt she'd get charged or that it's what you want, but demanding it because you're registering a crime will at least make them think you know your rights plus they're more likely to at least speak to her and get it back

I believe that because it is a illegal theft of property ( cheers bestguess ) you can perform a civilians arrest if you can see them feeding your cat or preventing access to your property. Make sure to use zip ties and take pictures on your phone. Also, google How to perform a civilians arrest and there should be some good advice.

You and your family keep up a chain of knocking, ringing doorbell etc. have one of you there constantly until you get the cat back then you may have to keep the cat at home. Tell the neighbour you have rung the police and will continue to do so.