NationStates Jolt Archive

should one hold onto a found cat before taking ownership?

I found a cat the other day wandering outside. She was a really friendly cat so I let her in and since she seemed lost I gave her some food. She didn't have a collar with a name tag, so I couldn't call her home and let the know that she'd been found. So I put up a couple of posters and called the humane society to see if anyone reported a lost cat (no luck). I found someone on kijiji who lost a cat that seemed to be like the cat I found, but apparently I was wrong on the age and gender (I didn't know how to check this until the lady flipped the cat over).

Anyway, I've been avoiding naming her and trying to remind myself that her family is going to find her and take her away. But I'm not sure if there's a limit on this. I mean, if two weeks go by and I don't hear any word, it's going to be hard to keep referring to the cat as "random cat" and I should probably pop over to the vet's after a while as well for a checkup/shots/spay status report (and probably get my cat a checkup too).

So what happens if a month from now someone calls me up to say that they think I have their cat? Do I give her back still? Two months? When does the cat cease being a found cat and start becoming my cat? (note: the humane society deems that it's two weeks for the purpose of surrendering the cat)

should one hold onto a found cat before taking ownership?

I found a cat the other day wandering outside. She was a really friendly cat so I let her in and since she seemed lost I gave her some food. She didn't have a collar with a name tag, so I couldn't call her home and let the know that she'd been found. So I put up a couple of posters and called the humane society to see if anyone reported a lost cat (no luck). I found someone on kijiji who lost a cat that seemed to be like the cat I found, but apparently I was wrong on the age and gender (I didn't know how to check this until the lady flipped the cat over).

Anyway, I've been avoiding naming her and trying to remind myself that her family is going to find her and take her away. But I'm not sure if there's a limit on this. I mean, if two weeks go by and I don't hear any word, it's going to be hard to keep referring to the cat as "random cat" and I should probably pop over to the vet's after a while as well for a checkup/shots/spay status report (and probably get my cat a checkup too).

So what happens if a month from now someone calls me up to say that they think I have their cat? Do I give her back still? Two months? When does the cat cease being a found cat and start becoming my cat? (note: the humane society deems that it's two weeks for the purpose of surrendering the cat)

Give the cat a name. and if somebody turns up to claim it, then at least you have had some time with a named cat, and it not then all's good.

Difficult one - personally I'd advertise that you've found her as much as you can for about a month, in case the owners had gone away and had been getting someone else in to feed her or such. After that, I'd say she's yours.

Give it a month. if there's no response in that time, I don't think anybody is looking for it, especially if nobody has put any notification in that they've lost a pet at all. Besides, if they lose a pet and it takes more than a month for them to follow the posters you've been leaving/contacting the appropriate agencies, it doesn't exactly seem to me like they care much.

Give the cat a name. and if somebody turns up to claim it, then at least you have had some time with a named cat, and it not then all's good.

Well, if I name her then I'll end up feeling attached probably. Maybe at the end of two weeks I'll name her since this is probably the most likely time window for pickups and then I'll pretend that I don't have the cat for anyone who calls after a month (and take her to the vet's office).

For now she's keeping my cat company though so this is good.

should one hold onto a found cat before taking ownership?Isn't the proper question 'How long before it can take ownership of you'?

^_^

Isn't the proper question 'How long before it can take ownership of you'?

^_^

Only if its from Soviet Russia :p

Yes, in seriousness this is what teh kittehs do

Isn't the proper question 'How long before it can take ownership of you'?

^_^

This is very true, if she has adopted you, you may have difficulty giving her back irrespective of your or the original owners wishes :D

Only if its from Soviet Russia :p

Yes, in seriousness this is what teh kittehs do

*looks at your avatar*

propagandist. You'd -like- that to be the natural order of things I'm sure!

This is very true, if she has adopted you, you may have difficulty giving her back irrespective of your or the original owners wishes :D

Yes, but cats are difficult to interpret in this way. This one in particular rubs her head against anyone and purrs loudly while doing so.

*looks at your avatar*

propagandist. You'd -like- that to be the natural order of things I'm sure!

The world is a benevolent cat dictatorship. All animals are equal. But cats far more equal than others. Especially in terms of access to world tuna supplies. *nods*

Yes, but cats are difficult to interpret in this way. This one in particular rubs her head against anyone and purrs loudly while doing so.

Ah... she's of the felinus attention whorus variety :p

Ah... she's of the felinus attention whorus variety :p

They're the good kind! Cats just... bite me. All of them. never met a cat that won't tolerate me just long enough to get in the optimum biting position. One day I will find a cat that doesn't do that and I will keep it forever and name it Cornelius.

They're the good kind! Cats just... bite me. All of them. never met a cat that won't tolerate me just long enough to get in the optimum biting position. One day I will find a cat that doesn't do that and I will keep it forever and name it Cornelius.

Well, after a while of petting she'll start pawing at me, but it's generally in a playful way. I stop petting her at this point because this is not a good way for kitties to play (especially those with claws). I try to keep from teaching cats that hands are toys.

They're the good kind! Cats just... bite me. All of them. never met a cat that won't tolerate me just long enough to get in the optimum biting position. One day I will find a cat that doesn't do that and I will keep it forever and name it Cornelius.

You must smell like a tasty snack to them then - are you using catnip in your perfume? :eek:

You should just continue to call it Random Cat, sounds like an awesome name for a cat.

Well, if I name her then I'll end up feeling attached probably. Maybe at the end of two weeks I'll name her since this is probably the most likely time window for pickups and then I'll pretend that I don't have the cat for anyone who calls after a month (and take her to the vet's office).

For now she's keeping my cat company though so this is good.

Meh! It sounds like you are already attached. I would say fuck it, don't be afraid to explore your feelings.

You should just continue to call it Random Cat, sounds like an awesome name for a cat.

seconded.

seconded.

One of my colleagues at work has called two of her cats Big Cat and Little Cat - I think she was out of inspiration that day.

You should just continue to call it Random Cat, sounds like an awesome name for a cat.

Either that, or Smelly Cat.

But taking in strange cats? Wow, it must have been very sweet then. I see cats walking around the street quite regularly but I'll always stay away from them (and they from me). You never know with stray animals...

Have you taken the cat to a vet? Some cats have chips in them now with all their identification stuff.

Either that, or Smelly Cat.

But taking in strange cats? Wow, it must have been very sweet then. I see cats walking around the street quite regularly but I'll always stay away from them (and they from me). You never know with stray animals...

They're usually on drugs and you never know if they have a gun buried in that matted fur.

I'd say a month, but if someone comes forward after that, I think you have to give her up. There are sometimes extraordinary circumstances. I had a cat who spent almost all her time outside go missing for six months once, only to show up unexpectedly at the front door skinny and haggard but otherwise okay. I think she must have been trapped in a garage or something. My mom's cat jumped out of the car and ran away during a stop for food on a drive from Berkeley to Costa Mesa, and it took her a few months to find the cat--which she certainly did want!

Also, not all pets wear collars. I can't collar mine because there are a lot of trees and fences and wild animals around our house, and I don't want her to snag her collar and be unable to get away. I've bought her several break-away collars--they usually last a day or two, which tells me it's a valid concern.

Also, not all pets wear collars. I can't collar mine because there are a lot of trees and fences and wild animals around our house, and I don't want her to snag her collar and be unable to get away. I've bought her several break-away collars--they usually last a day or two, which tells me it's a valid concern.

Alternatively your cat could, like ours, be particularly skilled at removing the collars. We pretty much gave up on putting a collar on our cat, because he'd get rid of in within a day - we even watched him do it once using a conveniently placed branch.

The sooner you can put it in a bag and throw the bag in the river, the better. If you can't do that, at least have the cat neutered/spayed.

take the cat to the vet. make sure she isnt chipped. make sure she is healthy--you wouldnt want to fall in love with a doomed animal.

if those 2 conditions are met, name her and keep her. if someone comes along claiming the cat deny having found her and if they press say you bought it off the street from someone selling a box full of kittens.

should one hold onto a found cat before taking ownership? you don't 'own' a cat...

I found a cat the other day wandering outside. She was a really friendly cat so I let her in and since she seemed lost I gave her some food. lucky. the cat claimed you. ;)
She didn't have a collar with a name tag, so I couldn't call her home and let the know that she'd been found. So I put up a couple of posters and called the humane society to see if anyone reported a lost cat (no luck). *sigh* one of the reasons why it's important to collar you pets.
I found someone on kijiji who lost a cat that seemed to be like the cat I found, but apparently I was wrong on the age and gender (I didn't know how to check this until the lady flipped the cat over). you didn't know how to sex a cat?! :eek2:

Anyway, I've been avoiding naming her and trying to remind myself that her family is going to find her and take her away. But I'm not sure if there's a limit on this. I mean, if two weeks go by and I don't hear any word, it's going to be hard to keep referring to the cat as "random cat" and I should probably pop over to the vet's after a while as well for a checkup/shots/spay status report (and probably get my cat a checkup too). Do it. and keep the reciept. if the owners turn up. then you can ask for reimbursment. also, the kitten might be chipped.

So what happens if a month from now someone calls me up to say that they think I have their cat? Do I give her back still? Two months? When does the cat cease being a found cat and start becoming my cat? (note: the humane society deems that it's two weeks for the purpose of surrendering the cat) If you don't know. go with the Humane Society's assessment.

for me. It sounds like the kitten found it's new home. how is it and your other cat getting along?

you don't 'own' a cat...
Well, in a legal sense... like if it ran off and bit several neighbour kids, I'd probably be in shit for it.

lucky. the cat claimed you. ;)
This is possible. Maybe I was the first one to let her in since she began wandering?

you didn't know how to sex a cat?! :eek2:
She's a very fluffy cat and wasn't really letting me look at her belly closely (as in while moving hair) so I didn't bother googling this... but generally well, this isn't a part of cats I tend to look at.

Do it. and keep the reciept. if the owners turn up. then you can ask for reimbursment. also, the kitten might be chipped.
The only thing about this is I have to convince a friend to drive me to the vet's office... so I'll try it the old fashioned way for a bit (I suspect that she's either a local cat or a dumped cat) and then take a trip to the vet for microchip inspection (I suspect that this part would be free at least, since they just scan the cat).

If you don't know. go with the Humane Society's assessment.

for me. It sounds like the kitten found it's new home. how is it and your other cat getting along?

The cats are getting along ok. The one I found isn't really a kitten, she's possibly full grown (and bigger than my cat who is definitely full grown), but I don't think she's very old. They seem to be having little fights here and there, but nobody has brought out the claws so this is good. The first night she was here I actually slept in between both of them so either my cat is tolerating the other cat or was feeling jealous and wanted to make sure the newcomer didn't get more attention than him.

If you can't do that, at least have the cat neutered/spayed.
Yeah, she's definitely getting spayed if she isn't already. I'm not dealing with cat being obnoxious in heat (or escaping and coming home preggorz).

Yes, but cats are difficult to interpret in this way. This one in particular rubs her head against anyone and purrs loudly while doing so.

I had once such a 'slut' as well. One day she arrived in my garden and after weeks of publishing posters, I decided to adopt her.

One year later, I invaded a couple into my house that rarely visited my place.
They saw my cat and said:

They: 'Well, what is our cat doing here?'
Me: 'Your cat? My cat, you mean'

In the end we discovered that 'my' cat had two households while we were not aware. And she did react to two names and all. :)

One year later, I invaded a couple into my house that rarely visited my place.


How on earth do you invade a couple :eek: :D

you didn't know how to sex a cat?! :eek2:

I'm so glad I read what you were talking about before commenting, because I would have been disturbed if you did know how.

I had once such a 'slut' as well. One day she arrived in my garden and after weeks of publishing posters, I decided to adopt her.

One year later, I invaded a couple into my house that rarely visited my place.
They saw my cat and said:

They: 'Well, what is our cat doing here?'
Me: 'Your cat? My cat, you mean'

In the end we discovered that 'my' cat had two households while we were not aware. And she did react to two names and all. :)

My cat doesn't go outside. If this one becomes my cat, she isn't going outside.

Speaking of flipping cats over, that reminds me of a girl who found a kitten and asked her dad if it was a boy or a girl.

He flipped it over and said it was a girl.

When her friends asked her how the dad knew, she said "it must be stamped on their butts like the word 'Mattel'".

Yes, but cats are difficult to interpret in this way. This one in particular rubs her head against anyone and purrs loudly while doing so.
That strikes me as the behaviour of a cat who hasn't had much human contact for a while.
Cats, contrary to what most people think, are very social creatures and when removed from social contact for a length of time, will overcompensate once returned.
My cats always purr loudest when I get home from work. Ignore me soon after of course.

Also, not all pets wear collars. I can't collar mine because there are a lot of trees and fences and wild animals around our house, and I don't want her to snag her collar and be unable to get away. I've bought her several break-away collars--they usually last a day or two, which tells me it's a valid concern.

That's a good reason for chipping a cat. I remember back when Amelia was still a little kitten, she was about 6 months old, we decided to try to put a collar on her. We put it on, and put her down. She looks down to see the tag with her name on it and my cell phone # on it, and she jumped three feet in the air and started violently squirming and trashing to get it off. I had to grab her and hold her against me so that I could get it off of her.

The sooner you can put it in a bag and throw the bag in the river, the better. If you can't do that, at least have the cat neutered/spayed.

Bad! You never ever suggest you put a cat in a bag and throw it in a river, BAD! That wasn't even funny.

How on earth do you invade a couple :eek: :D

I wonder if it's the same as invading a country.

I'm so glad I read what you were talking about before commenting, because I would have been disturbed if you did know how.

Hehe, I had the same thought.

Speaking of flipping cats over, that reminds me of a girl who found a kitten and asked her dad if it was a boy or a girl.

He flipped it over and said it was a girl.

When her friends asked her how the dad knew, she said "it must be stamped on their butts like the word 'Mattel'".

The friend sounds "special".

That strikes me as the behaviour of a cat who hasn't had much human contact for a while.
Cats, contrary to what most people think, are very social creatures and when removed from social contact for a length of time, will overcompensate once returned.
My cats always purr loudest when I get home from work. Ignore me soon after of course.

Heh, Amelia is the same way. Of course Amelia hovers around me, she doesn't always pays attention to me, but she likes to be near me.

should one hold onto a found cat before taking ownership?

I found a cat the other day wandering outside. She was a really friendly cat so I let her in and since she seemed lost I gave her some food. She didn't have a collar with a name tag, so I couldn't call her home and let the know that she'd been found. So I put up a couple of posters and called the humane society to see if anyone reported a lost cat (no luck). I found someone on kijiji who lost a cat that seemed to be like the cat I found, but apparently I was wrong on the age and gender (I didn't know how to check this until the lady flipped the cat over).

Anyway, I've been avoiding naming her and trying to remind myself that her family is going to find her and take her away. But I'm not sure if there's a limit on this. I mean, if two weeks go by and I don't hear any word, it's going to be hard to keep referring to the cat as "random cat" and I should probably pop over to the vet's after a while as well for a checkup/shots/spay status report (and probably get my cat a checkup too).

So what happens if a month from now someone calls me up to say that they think I have their cat? Do I give her back still? Two months? When does the cat cease being a found cat and start becoming my cat? (note: the humane society deems that it's two weeks for the purpose of surrendering the cat)

I would say a month. Go ahead and take the cat to the vet, keep the receipt for the bill in case the cat's family does come around; if they aren't willing to reimburse you for taking care of the cat than you should keep her anyway.

It's the cat's decision. Just like with children of estranged parents, you'll need to alternate custody for a while and then let the cat decide.

And just like with children, you will need to let professionals make the final decision, because cats aren't competent to make such life decisions, even in their own lives. A court-appointed cat psychiatrist will probably be necessary.

And you don't want that. Oh no. If you let the cat psychiatry team into the home situation, you might lose the cat you have now. The cat you think is "your" cat, the other one, might end up living in Bahrain, and the bills for "Wild Reared Humanely Transported Hopping Mouse Feed" could cost you the roof over your head.

Kick the little bludger out to where it came from: the street. Cat custody is a world of pain.

How long should you keep a stray cat? For as long as it takes to feed it to the dogs. That way the dogs gets a meal and exercise. It's a two-fer.

Cats are furry little sociopaths. They're the lap dancers of the animal world.

Cats are furry little sociopaths. They're the lap dancers of the animal world.

I. Must. Sig. That!

In the end we discovered that 'my' cat had two households while we were not aware. And she did react to two names and all. :)
The 'landlord' in my old apartment building collected rent from all of us as well as a couple buildings up and down the street.

That cat owned the street.

The cats are getting along ok. The one I found isn't really a kitten, she's possibly full grown (and bigger than my cat who is definitely full grown), but I don't think she's very old. They seem to be having little fights here and there, but nobody has brought out the claws so this is good. The first night she was here I actually slept in between both of them so either my cat is tolerating the other cat or was feeling jealous and wanted to make sure the newcomer didn't get more attention than him.
Trust me. if they don't get along, they will let you know. :p

How long should you keep a stray cat? For as long as it takes to feed it to the dogs. That way the dogs gets a meal and exercise. It's a two-fer.

Cats are furry little sociopaths. They're the lap dancers of the animal world.
Ahem ...
How you behave toward cats here below determines your status in Heaven.

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

I could post a cruel, snarky comment, but my wife is a cat person, and she's sitting less than two meters behind me. Self-preservation FTW.

*refuses to actually read the thread after such a tempting title*

About 7 and a half inches.

Go with humane society, de-ah.

Trust me. if they don't get along, they will let you know. :p

They seem to be getting along as well as can be expected for only knowing each other a couple of days I think. I mean, they're able to be in the same room without bothering each other. I haven't heard them hiss at each other for a while either.