Wondering what people tihnk I should do. I'm feeling quite torn and upset about it. Sorry its so long.....
Basically I found and rescued what I thought was a stray cat a few weeks ago from a street near me. Very thin, covered in wounds and scabs and wobbly in the back legs.
Got it scanned and he was registered to a small local cat rescue. They asked me if I could foster him while they looked into it, as being chipped to them meant he might have escaped from a foster home at some stage. He was treated for fleas and worms at the vet (I paid, not the resuce) as he was scratching so badly & making the scabs bleed (turns out it's likely he has a flea allergy, so I've now also paid for him to go on steroids). Vet says he also needs dental work and probably has arthritis too.
Anway the rescue has been contacted by the 'owner' he was rehomed to 6 years ago. ('Owner' obviously knew chip had never been transferred over). Rescue were considering not giving him back because of his condition and because owner lied to them about cat being registered with a vet ang getting him treated there. This came out when the rescue asked for permission to get the vet records and there aren't any. From his weight and condition it's clear they've not been feeding him properly (he's put on weight and coat looks so much better since I've had him) or regularly treating for fleas & worms, presumably not vaccinated either.
Rescue person says at first the 'owner' started off upset and crying, saying how much they love the cat and asking for him back, but now has been harrassing them with constant messages.. So I've now been been asked to return him.
Initially I was willing to do so (I already have a cat so keeping them seperate is difficult and I feel guilty keeping him mainly in the spare room, with only ocassional roaming the house when i lock my cat in bedroom). But I can't really keep this cat long term, i don't think mine will accept him and he'll be expensive (I've already spent £100 on him!).
But my dilemma is that the cat has obviously been really neglected. I've been getting really really stressed thinking about him going back to people who have already shown they won't look after him properly. But Rescue are reluctant to say no to owner because they are being aggressive (family members are also messaging as well).
What should I do? I'm so confused!
If I refuse to hand him over I'm not sure what rescue can do - they have my number but not my address. Owner doesn't have my name or contact details. Could owner take the Rescue to court for ownership? Given he's chipped to the rescue would that be proof they own him not this other person, despite the previous rehoming, (which i assume there must be some records of).