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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Lost and found kitten, not coming to collect!

98 replies

fabaga · 30/07/2019 14:29

Long story short, over a week ago we found a sick kitten on our road. Took her in, to the vets, paid for medicines, stuck up posters etc etc.

On Sunday eve I got a message from the owner, who first thing Monday morning sent me proof she is theirs (photos etc). Said she (or he, not sure) is away and their partner would be in touch to arrange collection.

Fast forward to Tuesday and no word from them, chased late last night and was told curtly we need to contact their partner. AIBU that they should be a bit more grateful and also make more of an effort to collect the kitten promptly? Thinking now we should ask them to pay for the vet bill as it feels like they're just using us as a kitten boarding house!

OP posts:

Youwanapizzame · 30/07/2019 14:30

Of course they should pay the vet bill! crikey

MummyMcCracken · 30/07/2019 14:32

They should definitely pay the vet bill

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 30/07/2019 14:37

was told curtly we need to contact their partner

F that. THEY need to contact their own partner! And of course they should pay for the vet bill.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd be too keen to return a kitten to an owner that didn't address health issues and 'lost' the cat before.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 30/07/2019 14:38

Did the vet not offer to do it for free ? Had you thought about the PDSA? Why did you bring it home again? normally vets keep lost cats then pass on to rehoming centres.

All that is an aside - the person you made contact with is away, they've asked you to talk to the partner and legally I dont know where you stand with regard to reimbursement of a vets bill. You choose to pay it, you werent asked. Morally they should offer to reimburse. Legally, not so sure.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 30/07/2019 14:39

I'm not sure I'd be too keen to return a kitten to an owner that didn't address health issues and 'lost' the cat before.

That would be theft if you kept or disposed of it.

Moondust001 · 30/07/2019 14:40

The kitten deserves a better home... In your shoes I would find it one and the owner can go whistle. It got out and lost once, it could probably do it again. Not your fault at all if that happened...

Sunburntnoseandears · 30/07/2019 14:40

Contact them once more, sat kitten is at the vet and after they have paid the bill, vet will release the kitten.
Personally I would like to congratulate you on your new addition.....

Moondust001 · 30/07/2019 14:42

That would be theft if you kept or disposed of it
Nah. Pesky cat just escaped again....

bingbongnoise · 30/07/2019 14:43

@fabaga

I would contact them and ask them if they want you to adopt said kittie. (Or rehome it.)

Good for you for looking after it.

If they don't come back, look into transferring ownership to yourself - or finding a new owner if you are unable to keep it.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 30/07/2019 14:44

And now the kitten has escaped and got lost again and you have no idea where it's gone 😉

bingbongnoise · 30/07/2019 14:44

It's hardly THEFT when the buggars don't come back for the kitten!

Spidey66 · 30/07/2019 14:46

Poor little kitten.
If you don't feel able to look after it, you should pass it to Cats Protection or a rehoming centre and let the owner deal with them.

Lweji · 30/07/2019 14:46

If you mention money I suspect they won't collect the kitten.
If you want to keep it, just tell them the cost for vet, food and your work.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 30/07/2019 14:47

1 Basic definition of theft.
(1)A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly.

I dont make the law, I merely bring it to the table

Cheby · 30/07/2019 14:50

Have you given them your address yet?

If not I would probably just go quiet, then if they get back in touch just say that the kitten escaped again. I’m assuming it isn’t chipped otherwise the vet would have told you and contacted the owners?

I don’t normally advocate keeping people’s cats but they really don’t sound fit to be looking after this animal.

Haha, also assuming you want to keep the kitten! If not you could always call a local rescue and see if they can take it. Homes for kittens are usually easy to find.

buzzwizz619 · 30/07/2019 14:52

If you'd left him at the vets 7 days and the kitty would be yours or passed onto a rescue. Therefore if I was you kitty would now be mine/ rehomed and I'd block all contact.

Also 100% should tell them they owe you the money for vets bills and food!

Walkingthedog46 · 30/07/2019 14:55

If they are so blasé about their sick kitten it doesn’t bode well for her future. I imagine you’d never see your money back from these people. Well done you for caring. My friend found a soaking wet tiny kitten one Friday night and put a note through the owners door to say they had her. They didn’t come back until Sunday evening, so presumably away for the whole weekend. The kitten was never seen again.

TheFridgeRaider · 30/07/2019 14:55

Please, don't return the kitten to them

AlexaAmbidextra · 30/07/2019 14:56

That would be theft if you kept or disposed of it.

I wouldn’t give a shit if it meant I found the kitten a good home.

bingbongnoise · 30/07/2019 14:58

@IAskTooManyQuestions

NO-ONE is purposely depriving the original owners of the kitten, of their kitten. The owners KNOW it's there (with the OP,) and that they have paid vet fees for it, and they are not being arsed to come pick kitty up. They know the kitten is there and are not coming for it.

They are NOT depriving the people of the bloody cat. The owners aren't arsed with it!

If the OP keeps the kitten, it is NOT THEFT.

MissEliza · 30/07/2019 15:00

I'm a dog owner so forgive me if this sounds stupid but if I had that situation with a dog, I'd be contacting the animal warden. They sound negligent and not deserving of a pet.

PookieDo · 30/07/2019 15:01

I think if you had obvious proof you had tried to return the kitten after paying for its treatment doubt the police would waste much time on it as a theft

You could ask the vet to bill the owner now you know where they are but you have paid? I would honestly give them an ultimatum now either collect and pay or you will home/rehome and give them a timeline ie by 5pm tomorrow

Lovemusic33 · 30/07/2019 15:04

I would message back saying......
Please can you collect the kitten within 24 hours and pay the vets bill or kitty will be rehomed.

ineedaknittedhat · 30/07/2019 15:04

If you return the kitten, it'll no doubt be in for a lifetime of suffering. If you don't want to keep it, perhaps pass it on to someone who does and who can offer a good home.

SunshineCake · 30/07/2019 15:05

You know the rules. Photo.

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