How Much Would You Do to Return a Lost Kitty?

[vhoffman]

I'm not too sure where to post this, but we consider our cats a part of our family so I figure the family board would be the most likely place to post this.

First, let me say I'm a big cat lover and have three. If one of my cats got lost I would hope some kind person would help him find his way home. That's exactly what I'm trying to do with a stray kitty.

Yesterday I was at a vet buying some cat food when a lady came in with an adorable little black & white kitten, appeared to be about 3-4 months old. She said it was a stray she had found. The vet scanned it and found an ID chip. They were able to find the owner's phone numbers and name. Well, the lady was quite adamant she wouldn't keep the cat, saying her daughter was allergic to cats. The vet tried to give her the names of some shelters, and tried to explain that they weren't equipped to accept strays and didn't even have an empty cage. She said if he didn't take the cat she would "take it back where she found it and dump it". Well, I couldn't stand to hear that. I offered to take it. I figured I would have it for a few hours until we could contact the owner.

Well, here I am, a day later, still with the cat. I must have left at least 30-40 messages on the owner's answering machine, along with numerous numeric pages. No answer. Also, another number given was the owner's mother. After several calls, I finally got ahold of the mother. She said her daughter had lost a kitten about a week ago. She gave me her daughter's cell. I've called that upteem times with no response to my messages. I did a google on the mother and found her email. Sent mother an email explaining that no one had responded to my calls, would she please contact her daughter? No response. I left a "final" message that I couldn't keep the cat after today. If I didn't hear from someone to make arrangements I would have to take the cat to a shelter. I really don't want to do that, he's a cute little thing, and I feel I took on the responsibility of taking care of him until I could return him to his owners. However, I have three other cats and have to keep this kitty locked in the bathroom. Also, I don't know anything about his health background or if he's had his shots. He appears healthy, however, I really can't take the risk of exposing my kids and other cats to an unknown. I'm trying to locate a no-kill shelter. He's young, cute and healthy and should be adoptable. However, I do want to give the owner's a chance. But if they don't respond, what can I do?

Also, the story just isn't adding up. When I spoke with the mother she indicated that the cat had been lost for about a week. This car is in too good shape to have been lost for a week. He's quite clean, not dirt or fleas, and wasn't even hungry when I brought him home. Perhaps the original owners didn't want him and gave him to the "lady" who brought him in to the vet? Perhaps she changed her mind and decided she didnt want the cat and tried to "dump" it at a vet, not knowing it had an ID chip? BTW, she disappeared quick as a flash when they told her they found the chip and the owner's name--didn't seem glad to have found an owner. Perhaps that's why the original owners' aren't returning my calls? If indeed the original owners don't want the kitty I might be doing it a favor by finding it a new home. If I insist and they pick it up they might just dump it (although it seems they care about the animal or why did they bother to have an ID chip put in?) Well, I'm getting quite concerned and annoyed waiting for someone to call me back about this little kitty. I feel I took on the responsibility of caring for it until I could return him to his owners, however, how far does that responsibility go? Well, opinions, please!

 

[scorpad99]

When you adopt a kitten from a shelter they make u pay for spaying and the micro chip when you adopt. I know, we adopted our kitty from one.
If no one is returning your calls, I would find the kitty a good home. I`m assuming that since the cat has has the micro-chip it is current on all shots, they also test for feline leukemia at the shelter b4 they let you take the kitten home. If I had 3 others, I dont think I`d take on one more. Find a good home or a no-kill shelter

 

[Big V]

Although I would hate to take it to a shelter, maybe you have no choice. I would ask this on the Community Board. It will get more responses over there. I hope you can find an answer.

 

[gris gris]

I'm an animal lover too! I think it was very nice of you to even take the kitten in the first place. How awful for the little guy that his family doesn't want him. I wonder if maybe the original owner adopted the kitty from somewhere and it was chipped already? If so that doesn't necessarliy make them the responsible pet owner, they just inherited the chip. I would think if they aren't returning the calls they don't want this guy. Can you find a no-kill shelter in your area? That way you know the kitty will not be put down and will have someplace to be where people care for him. You have a good soul!

 

[all4fun]

I agree with the pp. It sounds like you've done your due diligence in trying to contact the owner. It sounds like the owner doesn't want the cat any more (although it would be nice if they would call you back and let you know that, at least!). I hope you're able to find a good home for the kitty. Maybe try freecycle or craigslist as a last resort. I see people asking for pets or looking for new homes for their pets on my local freecycle quite frequently.

hth.

 

[vhoffman]

I don't know where the kity came from,that is, if the original owners got him from a shelter or not. However, you do cast some doubt now on my assumption that if the kitty had a chip its owners must care about him. If indeed they did get him from a shelter he would have the chip, its not an indication of "how much they care".

Still no answer from all my calls, emails, etc. Of course, its been just one day, not even 24 hours. I want to give them a chance. However, I'm beginning to become discouraged. Most people do check their email/cell messages at least once a day, especially if they're expecting an important message, such as a lost cat with a chip. I'm thinking more and more that the original owners perhaps got him from a shelter, decided they didn't want him, gave him to someone else who didn't want him and they tried to "dump" him at the vet. Come to think of it, the kitty might have been a Christmas present. It happens all too often--someone thinks a cute kitty or puppy would make a great gift, then later regrets it and "dumps" it. The age of the cat would add up to that scenario. I'm going to get someone else to call that number in case she's ignoring my incoming calls. If she answers, then we know she's avoiding us (although we will give it one last shot if she answers). However, I'm losing hope that this is a wanted pet. Its a shame--he' so cute.

 

[Feralpeg]

Could you call the mother back and see if she could take the kitty for her daughter? Maybe the daughter is out of town or not able to take cell calls. I think I'd at least check back with the mother again.

Either way, it was very nice of you to take the kitten in.

 

[vhoffman]

Perhaps the owner is afraid that the cat bit or scratched someone and we're looking for a lawsuit. That isn't the case, but it does happen. I first thought that if someone "cared" enough to have a chip put in they would care enough to have his rabies shots. However, it doesn't look like they care because they're not returning my calls. Also, I found out from the vet that the kitty received his chip in another city, the city where "grandma" lives. I'm starting to think that "Grandma" thought a kitty would make a great Christmas present for her granddaughter, but the family didn't want him. He was either dumped and the lady who brought him to the vet yesterday found him like she said she did, or they gave the kitty to the lady who took hi.m to the vet, then she decided she couldn't keep him Seems strange, if a cat was missing for over a week why was he in such good shape? Clean, glossy coat, well-fed, I assumed he had just gotten lost and a frantic and grateful owner would return my call and pick him up within a hour or so. Well, I'm actually enjoying the little thing, he's so cute, but I simply can't keep him with three other cats. I won't make any more phone calls, they've gotten the message by now. I'll start looking for a good, no-kill shelter over the weekend and take him there Monday if I have no response over the weekend.

 

[vhoffman]

I've already contacted "grandma" and said I couldn't contact her daughter and asked her to try to get ahold of her. I want to give this poor thing every chance to get back with its family, however, I'm beginning to wonder if that's such a good idea since they don't seem to care? I wouldn't want them to pick him up just to dump him again!

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't know where the kity came from,that is, if the original owners gto him from a shelter or not. However, you do cast some doublt now on my assumption that if the kitty had a chip its owners must care about him. If indeed they did get him from a shelter he would have the chip, its not an indication of "how much they care".

Still no answer from all my calls, emails, etc. Of course, its been just one day, not even 24 hours. I want to give them a chance. However, I'm beginning to become discouraged. Most people do check their email/cell messages at least once a day, especially if they're expecting an important message, such as a lost cat with a chip. I'm thinking more and more that the original owners perhaps got him from a shelter, decided they didn't want him, gave him to someone else who didn't want him and they tried to "dump" him at the vet. Come to think of it, the kitty might have been a Christmas present. It happens all too often--someone thinks a cute kitty or puppy would make a great gift, then later regrets it and "dumps" it. The age of the cat would add up to that scenario. I'm going to get someone else to call that number in case she's ignoring my incoming calls. If she answers, then we know she's avoiding us (although we will give it one last shot if she answers). However, I'm losing hope that this is a wanted pet. Its a shame--he' so cute.

I tend to agree with you. My DH had a small farm with some milking cows. SO many times people would just leave their cats there because they thought that they would be okay with the other "kitties". Those cats were feral, and the new arrivals had a tough time. I cannot tell you how many times we placed kittens after prying them away form the mothers so that they would have a chance. I would call the humane society or place an ad in a local paper. Also, sometimes a vet will be able to help place the kitten even if he cannot take him in. Good luck to you.

 

[scouthawkk]

Do you have a local animal rescue league/organization near you? Maybe they can help. If the owner isn't stepping forward, then mabe a rescue league can help to find someone who would be willing to adopt it? DH's step-father does this all the time here in the DC area. His biggest problem is finding people to foster the cats until they can adopt them out. You might have to agree to take care of it for a little while longer, but maybe an organization like that can help find the poor thing a happy home that will take better care of it?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We found a small dog one Easter Sunday morning. My DH risked his life running out into a four lane road to rescue the dog who was weaving in and out of and dodging speeding cars. We had no doubt he was moments away from being hit if he didn't get out of the road. We looked around for an owner, and even tried letting him go but he walked right into the middle of the road again. So despite the fact we had our German Shepherd in the car with us, we took the dog with us for safety and he hung out with us for a day or two. We called the local police and left word with them where we could be reached since the dog had no collar. I was prepared to do a full search if we needed to to find his owners.

The next day we got a call from the family whose dog it was. They were quite angry we'd taken the dog. That's another story, but turns out they were visiting the home of a relative near where we found the dog in the road. The had recently been a fire in their relative's house and someone had been killed in the fire. The dog's family was cleaning out the house, and the dog had wandered away. They were very distraught over this family crisis, and they thought they'd lost their dog too. Lucky for them, though, when they came to pick up their dog he was very much alive (and had become fast friends with my dog, LOL).

At any rate, I suppose it's possible there was a family emergency or something which resulted in the cat being lost and the daughter being unavailable. Maybe the mother doesn't like the cat in the first place. Who knows what happened. I microchipped my dog as soon as I got her in the hopes that if she was ever lost we could somehow be reunited. My previous dogs were tattooed in their thighs for the same purpose (but now the chips are better). Another thing I like about the chip is that no research lab can take a chipped animal with the idea that it is definitely a family pet.

Here's some PD for you and the kittie. You did a very good deed and I hope you can find a suitable shelter for her. aw:

 

[vhoffman]

Its now been exactly 30 hours since our first phone call to the owner--no response. I'm losing hope that this kitty is a wanted pet. If there is some sort of emergency preventing the owner from contacting me, then you think "grandma" would have said so. I called her back and left a message and also an email, telling her that I had no luck contacting her daughter and would she please try. Well, if there was some problem with the daughter answering you'd think Grandma would at least know. I did speak with Grandma last night, so I know she's aware of the situation. You'd think at least she'd phone or email me back.

I'm both disappointed and sad for the kitty's sake and annoyed at the owners for not at least having the courtesy to call back and let me know one way or the other. Also, I'm getting attached to the little guy. If I don't watch myself I'll end up having a fourth cat! My daughter is already giving me the "silent treatment" because I've told her we can't keep the kitty. Its not like I don't want to! Four cats is just one cat too many! Not to mention the cost. Just today I had my youngest male cat neutered. They implanted a chip at the time. Total cost $231. (for everything else, theres' Master Card!). Well, we're way in over our heads right now with debt and a pet is a responsibility, that is, if you take care of it right. Oh, I do wish those people would call--I'm starting to talk myself into keeping Boo-Boo (well, I have to call him something!

 

[justcruisin]

What your vibe from Grandma? Does she sound surprised you have not heard from the daughter? Is daughter on vacation?

I think you'll need to make a decision based on your conversation with Grandma. If the daughter really does not want this kitten, a no-kill shelter is your best option.

Sorry you're going through this .... as my husband says --- no good deed goes unpunished.

From a Kharma standpoint, this kind act will be returned to you.

 

[unbroken chain]

Well, she could be on vacation or otherwise unavailable - 30 hours is not really that long if she's not at home. Remember that Grandma may not be remembering that she talked to you 5 minutes after your call, depending on her age. But you can't babysit the cat for 2 weeks, either (unless you want to!) Maybe you can see if any of the rescue organizations would "hold" the cat in some way - take it for you and not put it up for adoption for, say, 2 weeks or so? (But I predict you may own 4 cats soon )

 

[vhoffman]

I'm just going to give it a chance over the weekend. Actually,doing a Google on "grandma" doesn't sound like she's a dodering old lady. some sort of Ph.D. inEngineering at a major university, also runs a horse breeding business (farm, whatever its called, I'm a city girl). Well, I think my best bet's with Dr. Grandma. If I can get ahold of her! I really getting more and more attached to "Boo-Boo". There's a real danger here--I'll end up keeping four cats!

 

[LegoMom3]

From a fellow cat-adorer (is that a word?!...is now!!), I can totally empathize with you. We were in a similar situation just a few months ago. Guess what....I still have the kitten! He's not microchipped so we haven't been on a search for original owners (beyond just basic asking around, etc.) plus he was pretty dirty when we got him so I assume he'd been on his own a while. Anyway, I don't know what it's like where you are but around here I couldn't even get a real person at any of the shelters I called, and none of my messages or e-mails were ever replied to.

So, from one self-proclaimed "cat sap" to another (as in extreme cat lover!!), I feel your pain!

Oh, and for what it's worth, I definitely feel the original owner has no interest in this kitten (yours) anymore. Too bad, but if that is the case, he's better off elsewhere!!! Best of luck, and give him a little kitty kiss for me!

 

[Tigger2252]

Here's another "cat sap". I live in an area where every couple of years a cat or kitten is dumped off. Somehow they always wander to my house. My husband is convinced there is some beacon coming from our house that only cats can see. I have never been able to keep the count to less than four cats for very long. I firmly try to resist. Tell the kids to ignore it--it will go away. Then I will bend down and pet them. Feel their ribs through their fur....snatch them up. The End. I'm hopeless, but at least I can also blame my DH. When kids showed up a couple of years ago with this raggety, flea infested kitten. I said NO, find the owner. He did find them. They lived down the street and basically said they didn't want the kitten anymore because the boyfriend got a puppy (some people really are just rotten). He was the one that brought her back home and said "If we don't take her in she could die...." I remind him of that daily now that she tips the scale at 15 lbs. I feel your pain too! It seems like every time a stray shows up here, I call the local shelters and they all tell me they aren't taking any more cats. What are you supposed to do then? I can't just toss them back outside...that makes me just as bad as the first jerk. Good luck, but I think the fact that the owners are silent speaks volumes about their intentions. If it was my cat you would have heard from me immediately.

 

[vhoffman]

The only reason I can think of why the owners don't call is a family emergency, illness, etc. However, in the event of an emergency, most people would be more glued to their cell than ever, just to manage the emergency, not to locate a lost cat. I just can't understand why there's no reply, other than the obvious--they don't care! So sad ! And the no-kill shelters around here that I called are filled up, not even taking wait lists. There is a wait list for the "kill" shelters (get on a waiting list to be killed?

Meanwhile, Boo-Boo is blending right in with us. Oh, well, guess we'll keep the beat up old sofa another few years. Maybe slipcovers?

 

[JulieEck]

Well congratulations on having cats now! My DH would be doing the same thing. He's a big softie for kitties. I'm wondering if the lady that brought him in to the vet was the owner and didn't know there was a chip there? Too bad the people are not returning their messages. I'd want them to at least call and say, no we don't want the cat anymore. Then you'd know for sure. How frustrating!