Woman reunites with cat after 10 years thanks to microchip, decides not to contact former owners after finding feline in poor condition and spending $1200 in vet care: 'She's living her best life'

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  • "Should I respond to my new (old) cat's previous owners post?"

    Kind of a weird situation I adopted - a kitten in 2012, but had to rehome her to a friend in 2014 because I got a new job across the country.
  • I couldn't take her. I spayed and microchipped her. I lost touch with the friend after about a year.
  • In July I got a call from the shelter in my old town, saying my cat had arrived (my name was still on her microchip) and she's in bad shape.
  • Luckily, my sister was around and able to scoop her up. The cat had a severe flea allergy (and was absolutely covered), as well as dermatitis.
  • She has very bad arthritis in her legs and can't jump or walk well. The shelter workers and the vet said they thought she looked as though she had been on the streets for a while.
  • I drove across the country to pick her up - I'm in a more stable place now and felt really elated I could care for her well at this point.
  • Honestly it was very emotional for me and I am so happy I get a second chance with her.
  • She's been with me for about two months now and her dermatitis is gone, she's gained a healthy amount of weight, and has gotten treatment for several benign lumps on her body.
  • All of her hair has finally grown back and with joint supplements her movement seems less painful. She's really doing well. I have recent vet records and have spent 1200 dollars on care at this point.
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  • I reconnected with my old friend, who let me know that the cat ran away about a year after I moved away, and despite looking they never found her.
  • Out of curiosity I started looking on lost pet facebook groups, and today I found a listing for her. The ad stated they had her for 10 years.
  • It was dated July 6, and I got the original call from the shelter on July 3. Which means she wasn't lost for very long, and the condition she was found in is probably just how she was living.
  • I really want to reach out to the person who posted the lost ad to let them know she is safe and cared for, but I don't want to return her.
  • She wasn't receiving medical attention and she's in a better home now. If I reach out and they demand her back do I have any obligation to comply?
  • Are there legal grounds for this? It seems a bit complicated since my name was/is still on the microchip and I'm the original original owner.
  • UPDATE/EDIT: Decided I will not contact!! I guess I just wanted to make sure that wasn't entirely unethical? I was never intending to give her back.
  • I just wanted to let them know she's safe. But agreed it's not needed and she's living her best life
  • Calgary_Calico If she'd only been missing a few days that means she wasn't being cared for. A cats condition doesn't get THAT bad in just a few days just from fleas, that takes weeks or months of neglect. Not to mention her other health issues. Leave it be. She's where she belongs, with you
  • name_checks_out86 2012- You got a kitten. - 2014 You gave your friend the cat when you moved cross country.
  • - 2015 The cat went missing. Possibly was found/rescued/kidnapped by someone who may have had custody of it the past 10 years. Based on its condition cat was either mistreated/neglected by its keeper or had been lost and in bad condition for a while.
  • 2025 - Cat is found and traced back to you. 13 year old cat is in horrible condition. You nurse cat back to health, cat is finally home and safe and happy. Your question, should you tell the alleged 10 year caretakers, maybe abusers, so they won't worry about the cat anymore, or do you just love on the cat and move on with life? Worst case
  • scenario, they rage against you, try to find you, sue you, slander you, break into your house. Best case scenario they say, oh thanks. Personally, I would just take this as a weird life win.
  • basepair86 In the ten years they claimed to have had her they failed to contact you despite her microchip. You owe them nothing.
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