I moved into my neighborhood last November and noticed a beautiful, long-haired cat that seemed to always be outside, even in terrible weather. I’ve seen her out in rainstorms and snow, even when it’s freezing. I figured she must belong to someone, but eventually realized no one ever lets her inside. Our city has rules about not letting cats roam like this.
In the spring, she started trusting me more and would come over for food and some affection. A neighbor told me she supposedly belongs to people down the street, but they just leave her outside all the time and let other people feed her. This summer, her ‘owners’ went on vacation for months and still left her out. So, I’ve been thinking about finding her a home where she’d be cared for.
Now, an old friend wants to take her in. I’ve brought her inside and plan to take her to the vet to check if she’s chipped, make sure she’s healthy, and get some deworming done. If she doesn’t have a chip, can the neighbors do anything if they find out I rehomed her? I don’t feel like I’m doing anything wrong since they’ve been neglecting her. Am I right here?
Go for it. If someone doesn’t care enough to feed or shelter a pet, it’s barely theirs. Outdoor cats face so many risks anyway, from cars to disease. If you’re giving her a safe home, you’re definitely doing what’s best for her.
Don’t tell any neighbor what you did. It’s the right thing, but they could accuse you of stealing. Just let everyone assume she wandered off or someone else took her in. Maybe skip the microchip check so no one can track her back to you. Thank you for caring for her!
@Noe
Will the vet automatically check for a chip if I say I was given the cat? I’d rather not check if it means she might go back to these people. But what if a vet later finds one and she gets taken back?
@Sam
They don’t always check automatically. If they do, ask for the chip info so you can update it yourself with the new owner’s info. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like these people would have invested in a chip. Was she ever in a rescue, do you know?
You’re absolutely doing the right thing. I know people who’ve taken in neighborhood cats that just moved in and were happier. Sometimes, cats find their way to a better home themselves.
You’re probably making the best choice here. The only thing I’d add is maybe you could check with the owners first to see if there’s more to it. Sometimes people can’t keep up with care but might appreciate someone else taking her in.
