Am I stealing this cat? I need a reality check.

[Greenblatt]

Since the first day I moved into my apartment (August this year) Nemo was waiting in my yard. After two days I started feeding him and then two weeks later he was regularly coming inside at night. I combed out hundreds of fleas off him, fattened him up and assumed he had been abandoned. By the end of 3 weeks his owner came by telling me he'd been away "for a couple weeks" and we had a nice chat about Nemo-I asked if he wanted us to stop caring for him and he said I could keep feeding him and letting him in if I wanted, but that he missed him and would like to see him from time to time. I was conflicted-I didn't want to prevent them from reuniting with their cat, but I also didn't see much indication that they were caring for him. I limited the amount of food I gave him for a week (no wet food, just a couple Tablespoons of dry outside) to see if he'd go back home, but instead he sat in my yard day and night and pushed his way inside when I opened the door.

The man's 8 year old came over from time to time and Nemo always ran away from her, sometimes into a busy street. I talked to her about how she might gently approach him, but that didn't take. When my husband told her that we would all be sad if Nemo were killed, she said she "It's Ok if he gets killed, we can bury him". Since then she hasn't come back-about a month or so. Now it's winter and Nemo is in our house almost 24/7. Now we know we will be moving in a month. I need to talk to the owner about taking Nemo with us, but I am afraid he will maintain ownership.

Any suggestions? Friends say "just take him with you" but I would feel awful about that. I also feel awful imagining Nemo running loose again and not being cared for properly.

[Bullies2Love]

It seems the animal has found his true owner. Animals are not dumb and know who they want to be with. This cat isn't going to live if he is with the other people. I am with your friend....move and I bet these people wouldn't miss the cat. The 8 year old doesn't understand death or doesn't gives a darn about her cat. At this age, I was bringing home strays and all kinds of animals. Move and bring Nemo the cat will thank you for it.

[Lynn]

been "away" for a couple of weeks???? what in the h@l* does that mean????
just forget you have a cat and just take off ??/ Nemo sure got lucky when he found you!!!!!!

I say take the cat tuff titty !!!! why would yo feel awful??? you saved Nemos life again and again. If you are capable of caring and loving Nemo then I say Nemo is lucky and so are you!!!!!!


Lynn

[Meredith]

Don't leave him behind!!! You see the environment he was escaping when he luckily found you... abandonment, neglect, danger... This cat found you for a reason, don't for one SECOND feel guilty that you are providing Nemo with a loving home that he was looking for and rightfully deserves ;)

[Lynn]

I totally agree and so does everyone else....hip hip hooray for Nemo!!!!!!

[Bobbie]

Cats choose there guardians and will not stay like a dog. Nemo is YOURS. Please keep as indoor only and if these idiots come back, Either step out to tell tham U have not seen Nemo in quite a while or just don't answer the door, if U have spyglass 2 C who is out there, I have a tee shirt printed up that says 'Dogs have Masters, Cats have Staff' LOL Your cat, chose U as they are quite physic and know who They want. U R very luckyto have been chosen. Left cat outside when left for a few days? That alone shows Total Apathy and no love for Nemo, Deserve no pet, bunch of Morons, Big Hugs. bobbie

[Greenblatt]

I am very touched by your responses. You obviously know about animals and the bond that is there.

I think what feels awful to me is "stealing' Nemo. I want to be direct and up-front-not take him on the sly.

On a happier note, we will definitely be taking another neighborhood "stray" with us to our new home, as he has no owners. He is de-clawed and neighbors say he's been around for 10 years. He is slowly acclimating to indoor life and being petted and groomed and gets along with Nemo. My husband, who never liked cats in the past says "we have got to spoil this one for the rest of his life!".

About Nemo...we are still trying to figure out the best approach.
Thank you so much for your adamant support.

[Bullies2Love]

Really, there isn't any reason to think about it. Like Renee said, take the cat to the vet and now he has you as ownership on those papers. Trust me, there is no best approach only if you can live with the fact that the cat will die since they don't care for it.

[Shell]

No, don't think of it as stealing. Your giving this cat the life it wants and the one it deserves. They probably won't even notice it's gone. He obviously wants to have you in his life. He gets much more attention and care from you than he does the other people. So, go on and take him along. You'll feel better than if you leave him there. Good luck! -Shell

[Bobbie]

Renee just showed U a legal way to keep Nemo. You Vet for exam and neuter if U can afford neuter now. If not, You use your name for at least Rabies shot. There U go. Renee is Very involved and well educated in animal rights, laws and care, nutrition etc. Good luck and Thank you for keeping a 10 yr old , delcawed who would B put down if picked up as a stray as well as being smart to never let your cats outside which totally shortens there life span as well as the 10 yr old de-clawed is totally defensless . One of my rescues is 18 yrs old in perfect health, and the oldest living cat yrs ago on Ripleys, Believe It or not was 37 yrs old. Never went out either. Dont know if that cat is still living as I researched it a few yrs ago but can find out. God Bless, Bobbie

[Yenchen]

I think you should do what you think is right ask first and then leave Nemo there and see how they care for it if they don't really care then just maybe you could buy him/her.

[Linda W]

Amen Belles!

AGAIN, listen to the cat! He has made his choice. Do NOT reject him! They already have..ONCE!

Linda W.

[Dustie Pitts]

I agree. He chose you, so you should take him with you. They didn't seem to care too much in the beginning, and it's a little selfish for them to start now that you have cared for him.