People keep taking my cat. Help?

Question

Two of my cats were taken by neighbours when they moved away, my cats are outdoor cats and have a large brick shed which they can sleep in. They never used to have collars because someone tried to strangle one of my cats with hers by clipping it round her leg and her throat (she couldn't do this herself as it was a safety collar that snapped if pulled so only loosening it and re-fastening would cause this) and then putting her in a carrier bag on my doorstep.

Anyways. I only have one cat left now and I found out a few neighbours had been taking her in as their own, so we got a collar for her. Today we found someone had taken it off and put in in the skip near our house, I'm sick of people taking my kitties. I can't make her an indoor cat now, not after so many years of freedom.

How can I keep people away from my baby?

Thank you x

Answer 1

I'm in favour of cats having access to the outdoors if the local environment is safe for them, but there seems to be some nasty people living in your neighbourhood. If anyone had bound my cat up with a collar and then dumped her in a carrier bag on my doorstep I wouldn't have let her out again no matter how much she complained. I'd also have reported the incident to the police and RSPCA because that clearly is an act of animal cruelty.



If you're unable to keep her indoors, then you need to find ways to keep her within the boundaries of your property. If your garden has an existing fence which is at least 6' high you could cat-proof the top so that she isn't able to leave. These articles explain how you can do this.



http://www.fabcats.org/owners/fencing/info.html

http://www.protectapuss.co.uk/testimonials.php

http://www.purrfectfence.co.uk/



If people are entering your property to take your cat then they are committing trespass, and if you're in the UK, theft. (Cats are legally classed as the property of their owner and the taking of one is considered theft in the UK). If it happens again, take photos or videos and then file a complaint with your local police station.



http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat_care_leaflets/EG10-Catsandthelaw.pdf

Answer 2

Your cat doesn't have to become an indoor only cat. Maybe you could consider bringing her in sometimes while letting her have outdoor time too. If you will get out there and call for her when she has been away a few hours, people may hear or see you. If you don't see her for a longer time, go door to door with a picture of her and ask for info. This will alert people that your cat isn't a stray, that she has a home, and that you will come looking if they take her in. If you find her in someone's house, ask them not to do that.



It is sad this is necessary, but you can see in OciMom's answer the sort of attitude some people have. They think that any cat outside is theirs for the taking so you have to make it known that it is your cat and you are looking out for her.

Answer 3

You may not want an indoor cat but maybe your cat wants to be an indoor cat. Animals will often choose other people to live with if they meet their needs better. If she showed up on my step and seemed hungry I would probably feed her as well. You are fortunate that you have neighbours that seem to be willing to help rather than hurt. Outdoor cats often lead very perilous lives. Every day you hear another horror story about something that happened to a poor cat simply because it was outside and came across someone who likes to hurt things.You may have to think this over more and try to decide what is best for your cat. Maybe she should live indoors with someone else rather than outdoors without you.

Answer 4

Well the problam of the cat and kittens started out long lengthy in the past when the orb of salad was once younger.THE clash was once why is there no pickles on my sauce? The cat's first reaction used to be to swim and it of path drowned in the purfying waters of lake turatle.THE KITTENS had long gone into an extended hibernation of sleepyness that lasted over 1 hour.Shocked,and left for useless the hamster pulled on the rope of the universe before time was up, however it was once to late because the limo was blown up.

Answer 5

They they are not your cats, they are strays and belong to no one. Once a cat leaves your property it is by law a stray and any one can take it. Tough.



You can make the cat indoors, you dont want to, there is a difference. And its a stray. No one ones it. If you cared so much for the cats then you would have kept them indoors where they belong. Since you let them roam, once they leave your property any one can take it.





Don't want people to take the cat then keep it indoors where it belongs. If you don't keep it indoors where it belongs then you have no say what so ever when some one takes it.

Answer 6

She is a stray, out of their owners yard and no collar, so she is free game for anyone.



Cats are under the same laws as dogs, you cant just let them run around.

Answer 7

Well if you really want to be sure your cat isn't going to be snatched up, make her an indoor cat. It will be hard for her at first, but for her safety, that's really all you can do. No collar with tags, or microchip, makes her legally a stray.

Answer 8

go and try and talk to your neighbors, if they talk about how they don't know anything tell them about the evidence you have found. then tell them if they want a cat they should adopt their own, because this is your cat and she is an outdoor cat and always will be. also a vet chip is a good idea, you'll be able to know where she is when you can't find her or she hasn't come home.

Answer 9

Sorry but if your cats are outside all the time, they are fair game. BS on the excuse of "I can't keep them inside now...." - many former stray cats have been easily changed to indoor only in a few months.



If you really want your cats, you will either keep them inside or you will figure out how to build/buy an enclosure where they can go from the house to outside but be protected from roaming unsupervised.

Answer 10

try makin her in a indoor cat. If not, get your vet to chip her. So you know where shes at when she isnt home.