Did I steal their cat? (Sorry long)

[Babbitybowsters]

Apologies for the long post but don't want to dripfeed.

I fostered a cat for 2 years for a woman and two kids, because they didn't have anywhere to live that would accept cats. The woman actually didn't contact me for 1 whole year so I thought he was actually my cat now.

She did however get in touch at Xmas to ask for him back. I didn't want to upset her kids and thought it was the right thing to do so I gave him back in January and we kept in touch.

After two weeks (early Feb) the 12 year old let him out and he ran off and then the family went out for the day. He then went missing for 5 weeks and was found by them emaciated and near death having been trapped in an outdoor store cupboard for that time. During that time I couldn't eat or sleep for worry and did everything I could to get him back. I even begged them for the chip number to update his details as they hadn't done it. And I registered the details in my name as they still don't really have permanent address or reliable phone number (long story).

The day after he was found they took him to the PDSA vet came to see me as I lived next to the PDSA vets and we all went together to see him. The vet asked someone to visit in the morning to move him to another vets. The woman asked me as she lived a 30 min train journey away and didn't want to have to get up so early because she is on her own and heavily pregnant. I agreed and picked him up last Thursday and transported him from the night vet to the day vet. At that point he had a seizure and the vet was suggesting putting him to sleep. I begged him not to. It was agreed that we give him to 5pm that day to make a decision. The woman said she wouldn't come unless there was a definite decision and again asked me to go. To my amazement he had perked up and the vet said I could take him home and, being so in shock, I took him to my flat 2 mins from the vets.

As soon he got there he was purring and going back to all his old spots (even though he could barely walk). It was like he had never left and all his things from the past 2 years are here. He is sleeping on my chest everynight.

Last Friday I asked the woman if they would like to come and visit him and they said they would and then didn't turn up. At that point I decided it would be wrong to move him again, as he is so settled here and I'd miss him so much. I also feel they were a bit irresponsible letting him out so soon etc.

I've now spent £400 at my own vets getting home blood tests etc and getting him special food which I know they can't afford as they are currently using food banks.

I wrote the family a nice letter asking if he could stay with me and saying I felt it would be cruel to unsettle him again. The family have responded saying the 12 year is crying every day and he "needs to come home!". But surely his home is here, where I kept him safe for the last 2 years?

Thanks for reading as I am so very torn, particularly as I don't want to upset a child.

Don't lower yourself to blackmail

I would agree with this.

I wouldn't get into a discussion about the money as that suggests
A.You are prepared to give him back
B. It sounds like blackmail You chose to spend that money (right decision) but maybe it wouldn't be her choice
The cats got a history of running away, it's a plausible reason
Then block them on everything

To answer your question Did I Steal Their Cat? Yes you have, you know it’s theirs. Maybe you should have asked Shall I Keep This Cat? The answer to which would be a resounding yes.

Keep. Ignore calls and messges

Absolutely does not need a Guinea pig or any kind other animal in that household.

Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters etc get so neglected because people think they’re easy pets for children. They get stuffed in tiny hutches/cages and ignored.

Thanks to everyone for helping me work out what I should do next. I'm probably going to ignore for now. The longer he stay here the better for his recovery.

*ignore any letters, not this thread

I think this venerable old chap has chosen where he wants to live.

The cat's the priority, not the 12 year old. Ignore.

Totally disagree. Why on earth should someone who's doing the favour do all the chasing of people who couldn't be bothered to keep in touch. They clearly didn't care. Op keep the cat, you sound far more caring. They don't sound like responsible cat owners to me. Poor cat, needs a loving home.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 ffs

I love this idea 😆

Keep the cat and block her number.
She's shown herself to be a reckless cat owner.

The Master cat has already decided which home he wants to live in.

This. She can't have cared about the cat all that much.

Tell her the cat has been put down and that she owes you £400. Then keep the cat.

Ownership papers??? I've never once had "ownership" papers, and I've had umpteen cats!

They do say cats choose their owner (slave, rather!).

Hope cat makes a good recovery, OP. Cat might not like living in a household with children, anyway.

My friend had a cat basically move in with her, she had a complete dilemma when she moved as she didn't know whether to take the cat. She put up posters everywhere and tried other means to no luck.

She took the cat with her in the end and they're very happy together.

Just keep the cat OP. if the worst comes to the worst and court action is taken then deal with it then, but the chances are she isn't going to cough up the court costs over a cat she's probably not that bothered about, it's just the kids that have got themselves all upset about it.

She'll be giving birth soon and the cat will be the last thing on her mind

The cat clearly loves you and wants to live with you, because you are just lovely!
I wish you both all the happiness in the world x

I'm not sure why the woman should have to pay a vet's bill for stuff that Op chose to have done after she decided to keep the cat herself because the woman didn't turn up for a visit.

That said it does sound as if there is a lot going on & the woman isn't able to afford/prioritise the cat.

I wouldn't tell them it is dead, but would explain that it is likely to need expensive veterinary treatment for the rest of its life.
Then tell them about the £400.
If they take it further, just block them. If they call the police, tell them you were given the cat, that you're the one who had it chipped and paid for the vet.
Please keep it indoors from now on.
Maybe consider a doorcam in case the kids retaliate or come looking for their cat.

Definitely keep him. He probably won’t last long if he goes back. I would tell them he went downhill again and died.