Neighbour Adopted Our Cat - Now It's Ill...
Discussion
We bought a house after the owner died and there were two cats.
We said we'd carry on feeding them rather than them going to the cats home as they were already 9 and they were used to being in the countryside.
We moved them outside as we have a dog who, it turns out, hates cats.
One cat soon got tired of being chased all the time and relocated to a neighbour's farm.
They called us to collect him, which we did a few times but they have food out and no dog so it was obvious he'd end up there.
So they've had him on and off for a year and we haven't even seen him for two months - tonight they called to say he's ill would we pick him up and take him to the vet.
I said I would but I'd only be putting him down as he's not really my cat. The neighbour took exception to this and took the cat herself then called us to say it's been put down.
So my question is:
Should I offer to pay ?
Before anyone asks there are no pictures of the neighbour, nor the now deceased cat.
We said we'd carry on feeding them rather than them going to the cats home as they were already 9 and they were used to being in the countryside.
We moved them outside as we have a dog who, it turns out, hates cats.
One cat soon got tired of being chased all the time and relocated to a neighbour's farm.
They called us to collect him, which we did a few times but they have food out and no dog so it was obvious he'd end up there.
So they've had him on and off for a year and we haven't even seen him for two months - tonight they called to say he's ill would we pick him up and take him to the vet.
I said I would but I'd only be putting him down as he's not really my cat. The neighbour took exception to this and took the cat herself then called us to say it's been put down.
So my question is:
Should I offer to pay ?
Before anyone asks there are no pictures of the neighbour, nor the now deceased cat.
I reckon this. You agreed to keep feeding said mog so in essence you adopted it. The cat then went freelancing to accommodate your dog and the neighbour did it a kindness my taking it in. However as it essentially remained 'yours' and was obviously poorly enough for euthanasia, your neighbour was kind to it again. Moreover, he/she saved you a trip to the vet. It'd be gentlemanly to respond by picking up the tab.
V8RX7 said:
W
I said I would but I'd only be putting him down as he's not really my cat. The neighbour took exception to this and took the cat herself then called us to say it's been put down.
Mmmm I'm thinking something went wrong here.... That's probably the thing to think about.I said I would but I'd only be putting him down as he's not really my cat. The neighbour took exception to this and took the cat herself then called us to say it's been put down.
As others have said, it's the relationship thing.
Best of luck
My thoughts are that I took over ownership by feeding it.
She then took over ownership by feeding it.
Had it been healthy I have no doubt she'd have fed it for the next 5+ yrs and we'd never have seen it again.
However I do agree that I'd rather not fall out with a neighbour - although they are 300+m away.
I suspect we have fallen out already as she was shocked that "you won't take responsibility for your cat" after I said I'd only pay to put it down - which IMO, is taking responsibility.
Sorry but I'm not emotionally attached to an inherited old cat that I've rarely seen.
How much is it to put down a cat ?
She then took over ownership by feeding it.
Had it been healthy I have no doubt she'd have fed it for the next 5+ yrs and we'd never have seen it again.
However I do agree that I'd rather not fall out with a neighbour - although they are 300+m away.
I suspect we have fallen out already as she was shocked that "you won't take responsibility for your cat" after I said I'd only pay to put it down - which IMO, is taking responsibility.
Sorry but I'm not emotionally attached to an inherited old cat that I've rarely seen.
How much is it to put down a cat ?
We had a similar situation where one of our neighbours 5 cats decided he preferred our house to theirs. After about 2 years, he needed to go to the vet after a nocturnal altercation. We paid. Came time to move, and the neighbours came over and said we could take him if we wanted to. We still have him and he's well and truly decided that we are worthy of continuing to feed him.
V8RX7 said:
We bought a house after the owner died and there were two cats.
We said we'd carry on feeding them rather than them going to the cats home as they were already 9 and they were used to being in the countryside.
We moved them outside as we have a dog who, it turns out, hates cats.
One cat soon got tired of being chased all the time and relocated to a neighbour's farm.
They called us to collect him, which we did a few times but they have food out and no dog so it was obvious he'd end up there.
So they've had him on and off for a year and we haven't even seen him for two months - tonight they called to say he's ill would we pick him up and take him to the vet.
I said I would but I'd only be putting him down as he's not really my cat. The neighbour took exception to this and took the cat herself then called us to say it's been put down.
So my question is:
Should I offer to pay ?
Before anyone asks there are no pictures of the neighbour, nor the now deceased cat.
You've asked which means that you think you should but want an excuse not to, if you can afford it then pay it and if you can't then discuss it with the neighbour and I'm sure they will help you out. We said we'd carry on feeding them rather than them going to the cats home as they were already 9 and they were used to being in the countryside.
We moved them outside as we have a dog who, it turns out, hates cats.
One cat soon got tired of being chased all the time and relocated to a neighbour's farm.
They called us to collect him, which we did a few times but they have food out and no dog so it was obvious he'd end up there.
So they've had him on and off for a year and we haven't even seen him for two months - tonight they called to say he's ill would we pick him up and take him to the vet.
I said I would but I'd only be putting him down as he's not really my cat. The neighbour took exception to this and took the cat herself then called us to say it's been put down.
So my question is:
Should I offer to pay ?
Before anyone asks there are no pictures of the neighbour, nor the now deceased cat.
davhill said:
I reckon this. You agreed to keep feeding said mog so in essence you adopted it. The cat then went freelancing to accommodate your dog and the neighbour did it a kindness my taking it in. However as it essentially remained 'yours' and was obviously poorly enough for euthanasia, your neighbour was kind to it again. Moreover, he/she saved you a trip to the vet. It'd be gentlemanly to respond by picking up the tab.
Sorry op but I agree with thids. And having a neighbour whom you get on with is worth more then a vet bill. 
k off.
Itsallicanafford said:
Next time you see your neighbour wear a very large bandage around your head, explain you have 'had a fall', make sure to look abit vacant. When challenged about said cat, deny all knowledge of ever owning a cat....
zarjaz1991 said:
Unless you're completely skint, simply pay it. It's the decent thing to do.
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