Can You Take Someones Cat?

EAD063

Arachnoprince
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This lady who lives across the hall from the condo I own is a total drunk... I'm pretty sure this cat is hers because I've seen her holding it sometimes. The cat hangs out at my window (ground floor) everynight.. and tries to follow me in my place when I come in (that's right.. he has no shame in prancing into the common hallways) It's been about 40 avg here for the last few weeks and the cat still lays in front of my window at night, jumping up at the sign of myself or my girlfriend walking up.... question really is.. if I deicde to sell this dump... is it illegal for me just to take the cat? It has no tags. Thanks all :)
 

GailC

Arachnoprince
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First you should try to find out if the cat is hers, legally you can't just take another persons animal. If its being abused or neglected then call the local animal control, if they seize it from her then you could adopt it from them.
 

Socrates

Arachnoprince
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question really is.. if I deicde to sell this dump... is it illegal for me just to take the cat? It has no tags. Thanks all :)
Yes, it is illegal. You can't just simply seize the cat, especially if you believe it may belong to that woman.

My dogs don't carry their tags 24/7, and believe me, if one of them got out and was taken by someone, I would NOT be a happy camper. (They've never got out for that matter....just an example.)

If you believe the cat is being abused/neglected etc., by all means, call the ASPCA or other agency in your area. If they feel the cat can't stay with her/his rightful owner, or if they can't locate the owner, then they will put him/her up for adoption and you can adopt her. :)

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Wendy
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EAD063

Arachnoprince
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Thank you both for the reply... if the cat is hers (which I'm 99% sure it is) than it is obviously being neglected.. Even if it isn't her cat it's being neglected because its outside ALL of the time and this is nothing close to a setting for an outdoor cat (I live along the most traveled highway in the state) along with the fact that the weather has been bad for a while ...I know I seem very unlawful by asking the question but this women is bad news... shes broken about everything you can in our common hallways, has constant argueing between herself and various males (not married, or taken) and has been served papers by the state constable and arrested multiple times ...I should tell this to the Aspca... around here all the local police have animal control rather than a unifed aspca (i belive) so I should just talk to them... thanks again for the replies... don't see me as unlawful or unethical.. I just LOVE animals :)
 

pitbulllady

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Thank you both for the reply... if the cat is hers (which I'm 99% sure it is) than it is obviously being neglected.. Even if it isn't her cat it's being neglected because its outside ALL of the time and this is nothing close to a setting for an outdoor cat (I live along the most traveled highway in the state) along with the fact that the weather has been bad for a while ...I know I seem very unlawful by asking the question but this women is bad news... shes broken about everything you can in our common hallways, has constant argueing between herself and various males (not married, or taken) and has been served papers by the state constable and arrested multiple times ...I should tell this to the Aspca... around here all the local police have animal control rather than a unifed aspca (i belive) so I should just talk to them... thanks again for the replies... don't see me as unlawful or unethical.. I just LOVE animals :)
In most US states, it is perfectly legal to leave a cat outside, unattended, 24/7, so this would NOT be considered "neglect". If it appears that the cat does not get fed, does not have access to clean water and some means of getting out the elements(even just going under a house or garage), or it is sick or injured and has not been taken to a vet, then that would be considered neglect. If the cat appears otherwise healthy and well-fed, then you really can't do anything about it. Cats, in most states, are not subjected to the same laws of containment that dogs are, so leaving a cat running free is not illegal. It IS illegal to leave it unvaccinated against rabies, though, so the most you can do is file a complaint with Animal Control about the cat being on your property. They can see if the cat is up-to-date on its shots, but even so, the most they will do if it's not is to issue a warning and give the owner time to comply, at which time they will issue a fine if she does not. Given what you said about her, it's unlikely that she will.

Here is another thought-why don't you ask her if you can have the cat? It may be that she could really care less about what happens to it, or who gets it, and might actually be happy to have someone take it off her hands, since at least she can save the money she'd spend on cat food on more liquor, seeing as that's her priority, anyway. I know it sounds awful, but many people like that just consider an animal a burden and are usually glad for someone to take it. If she doesn't want to give it away, offer her a bit of money for it; tell her you've gotten attached to it and that you have to move away and will miss the cat. If that does not work, then all you can do is file a complaint with Animal Control about the animal, but be warned-due to the difficulty in adopting out adult cats in many areas, and the overcrowding of facilities, many locale humane societies have a policy of immediately euthanizing any owner seizures/give-ups they take in, unless it has to be held in a pending cruelty case, and many only hold strays for 3 days. If no one shows up to claim the stray cat, it's put down. If they DO wind up taking the cat or she gives it up to them to avoid a hassle, it might well be dead before you even know it's gone.

pitbulllady
 

EAD063

Arachnoprince
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thank you that's very well though out, it's a good point that you brought up about the differences in laws for cats and dogs, although I realized cat like being outdoors.. one of my three was an outdoor cat, but I lived in a country enviroment, I really wish there would be laws for people living in the city.. I should just ask the lady, I think she knew something was up when I came home from late night food and she was talking to some guy on a bicycle (lol) and the cat jumped from her arms and tried folllowing me in :) thank you all for input!!
 

Midnightrdr456

Arachnoprince
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even if it is hers and is being abused 100% for sure, you still cant take it. Not even animals services can just take the animal techincally (although they can find loopholes to seize it).

Call animal control, and then ask about adopting it, if it is infact being abused.
 

mindlessvw

Arachnobaron
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socrates: out of curiousity why wouldn't you have your dogs tagged 24/7...people are unable to locate the animals owner without them.
 

dehaani

Arachnoknight
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socrates: out of curiousity why wouldn't you have your dogs tagged 24/7...people are unable to locate the animals owner without them.
Don't you guys have electronic tagging for dogs? I'd have expected so, your government would be tagging it's citizens if it were allowed!

We have RFID tags in our dogs here in the UK.
 

mindlessvw

Arachnobaron
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thats if they do it...ya we have microchips and stuff but it certainly is more likely that the average citezin wouldn't mind stopping when they see a dog on the side of the road with a tag and calling the number than taking it to a vet to be scanned...if there is no chip then what? You have a dog and no idea how to locate its owner because there is no identification. Our tags also come with the rabies vaccine so you don't even have to go out and get another tag...you get it when you vaccinate your dog.
 

Socrates

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socrates: out of curiousity why wouldn't you have your dogs tagged 24/7...people are unable to locate the animals owner without them.
Both of mine are microchipped, and when I let them out into my back yard, I do not put on their collars (which carry IDs and such) because I deem it completely unnecessary, especially since they are unable to get out.

Also, even when I have my boys out front with me they don't always wear their collar because 1) they do not leave my side, 2) they do not chase after any animals, and 3) they do not go to strangers.

The only time they wear their (exterior) tags is when we take them places.

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Wendy
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mindlessvw

Arachnobaron
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all i know is i have had plenty of instances where animals thet were secured in a back yard or right with their owner have gotten away...many of the tagged dogs i have picked up have been from people saying their child accidentally let them out or a neighbor was working on a fence and didn't realize a board was missing...i am just saying i think it gives your pet a better chance at recovery if you take out all the measures of protection.
 

Socrates

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Believe it or not, I have accidentally left the gate open with both dogs in the back many, many times. My 4-year old (he just got his therapy dog certification not too long ago) lays by the back door as soon as he's done with his business, and my nearly 10-year old lays either in the grass or by the back door as well. But hey, you're right, I have no clue whether they took themselves for a little walk as I didn't spy on them the entire time they were outside. {D

Luckily I've got the only Berners in the neighborhood - everyone wants to cuddle with them, everyone knows them, and everyone knows who they belong to as well. :)

I personally don't like seeing a dog wearing a collar 24/7. At least take it off when you bring him/her in and give the coat and skin around the neck a rest. Just my opinion.

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Wendy
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thisgal

Arachnoknight
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I personally don't like seeing a dog wearing a collar 24/7. At least take it off when you bring him/her in and give the coat and skin around the neck a rest. Just my opinion.

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Wendy
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Why, may I ask? I mean, you can adjust pretty much all collars so they don't come off over the ears, but don't chafe the skin around the neck.
 

iturnrocks

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years ago, I "borrowed" a cat I saw walking the streets. Kept it for a few days, then took it back to where I found it. I was able to get over the idea that I wanted a cat.

As for taking the cat with you when you move. Although it may be illegal, its one of those laws that cant really be enforced unless the owner could find where you moved to and prove that it is her cat. I dont think my family could ever prove ownership of a cat weve had. They are all farm cats, and pretty much just wander around. If someone were to take one, we would just figure a wild animal got it or something. I would think the only way this lady could prove ownership would be with a veterinary history. But then she would have to first know who took it, and Im sure cat theft is really high on the police departments to do list.
 

Socrates

Arachnoprince
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Why, may I ask? I mean, you can adjust pretty much all collars so they don't come off over the ears, but don't chafe the skin around the neck.

thisgal, it's just my own personal opinion on the matter, that's all. I can try and explain why I started feeling like this - or at least I'll try:

When I was a teenager I worked with my vet in Germany. The first time I saw an embedded collar I became nauseous. :(

I've seen countless dogs whose owners just don't realize their dogs' collars are obviously too tight because when the collar is removed there's no skin in many places. On long-haired dogs I've seen badly mangled hair due to an improper fit.

My best friend's Doberman (who wears his collar 24/7) became entangled in some sort of electrical cord with his collar while she was running errands, and when she found him he was barely alive. :(

I don't question those folks who opt to keep the collars on their pets 24/7, but I don't follow that practice and have never had a problem. (knock on wood). ;)

I should add here that when I trained my dogs, they wore a collar on a regular basis - for training purposes only though.

Again, it's simply my own personal preference, nothing more and nothing less. :)

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Wendy
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EAD063

Arachnoprince
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Yeah, I really feel bad for this cat.. Tonight I saw this man who frequents this ladies house walk in with the cat and when I went to do laundry less than 5 minutes later, it was wondering in the hallway (which is ridiclous, each property here is valued at over 100,000 and this is not something which should be going on) I obviously can't let the cat in my house without brining it to a vet first so, so I helped it outside in hopes the women will open her back door later and can let it in... In the process I notcied a small ball spot about the size of a BB on the top of the cats head.. any idea what that could be.... shame it's a beautiful longhaired cat that appears very affectionate
 

Kasha

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My personal opinion is a bit different from everyone else it seems. If she wanted or cared for this animal she would not allow it to be left out for extended periods of time.
I am not familiar with the regulations in other cities, but here in Alaska it is illegal to have an animal outside wandering. It contributes to the stray population. Whether this animal is fixed or not, it is most likely foraging for food in the garbage, and pooping or peeing on people's property. Not to mention it endanger not just the animal, but the wildlife around it.
I say if its clear this lady is not being responsible and you want the cat and are willing to take on its care, take it. Its not as if it is a beloved pet that managed to escape her loving care. She puts it outside and LEAVES it outside. You would be perfectly in your rights to have the pound pick the animal up and it would be put down. So why not give it a home with people who actually care? I would say this lady waived all rights to gripe when she chose to make this animal a nuisance to everyone around.
But, like I said, Alaska is different.
An escaped animal is one thing, but just letting it wander on its own is just stupid. Its a domesticated animal and people forget that.
Not to mention the statistics for lifespans;
6months-2 years for a strictly outdoor cat
2-4 years for a indoor/outdoor cat
12-14 years for an indoor cat.
I got those from our local Animal control office about 2 years ago.
Anywho, I say if you want it, take it. At least it will have a chance at a good life with you.
 

P.jasonius

Arachnobaron
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It is not illegal

I don't know where this information is coming from that it is illegal to take in an animal with no tags which is outside the majority of the time. Maybe its different in your state, I don't know.
I have personal experience surrounding this, as this is pretty much exactly how I have the cat I have now. The 'owner' let the cat wander outside with no water available to it and only a bowl of food at her door which she had to (unsuccessfully) share with the local strays, while the owner was gone for sometimes more than a week at a time. The cat would wander into peoples houses and pretty much beg for food by meowing constantly. This is in an apartment complex by the way. We eventually started feeding and giving water to the cat on a regular basis and took her in. The lady found out and called the cops on us after coming over and shouting at me. The cop came over and asked me how I got the cat, and I told him everything. He told me that if that's true there was nothing he could do about it, being that the cat had no identification worn and was taken in from outside. The only action she could take against me was through civil court, and she would not likely win due to the circumstances. I've had her for close to a year now, and the crazy lady has since moved away.
In close, call your local police department. They'll probably give you the wrong information, so call the department at your state capital after you call the local department to make sure.
 
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