Off Topic, Pet Related, but Need Some Advice

First off I'm sorry for your loss, I know my animals are loved almost as much as my children. On the turning your animal over to them, I've heard of this. A couple of months ago my boston puppy had an accident and in the long run ended up losing his leg, but they wanted me to either pay $2,000 up front, or sign him over to them to be put to sleep. I was lucky that one of the nurses snuck into the room and told me of another vet that would do it for payments at a much cheaper price, and I got to keep him. There are a couple points to touch on though. One is that if the neighbors cat "snuck out" why do they keep an address tag on it? If my animal didn't normally go outside, I wouldn't. I have a cat that normally goes outside (doggy door), and I've been lucky to only have one problem with him for it, and it had nothing to do with another animal, I truely feel that this was a freak accident, but I would see what I could do about the nieghbors cat since it's obviously a threat. I also believe that if this was a dog that did this it'd be different. I would also call the Humane Society and see if they know of anything you can do.

Dear M.:
I don't have much good advice if you can't afford an attorney or have 100% absolute proof, but I would spread the news around your neighborhood to anyone you have a decent relationship with about what happened. It may help someone in the future who also lets their pet outside unknowingly. Don't think of it as bad mouthing...Think of it as being preventative for others. I am sorry for your loss. I have 5 fixed female kitties myself. I would be absolutely devistated if something happened to one of mine, but please don't beat yourself up with guilt over this. It's in the animal's nature to WANT to be outside. Your kitty did what comes natural to kitties. Many people let their pets out, and nothinng ever happens. P.

M.,

First, my condolences on the loss of your beloved pet. I had to have my dog of 9 years put to sleep because the vets couldn't figure out what was wrong with him and it was going to cost hundreds more in tests and then possibly thousands for surgery. The pain I felt for weeks was horrible. 2 years later, I still wonder if he could have been saved had I paid the money. I want him back.

They did euthanize your cat. There's no way they would try to save him and absorb the cost. There are hundreds of cute, healthy kittens available for adoption. Your cat is only special to you and your family. Don't mean to sound harsh.

There's no leash law for cats, so there's no recourse against the owners of the other cat. I doubt they would have helped you pay the vet bill, either. Indoor cats should never, ever go outside. The reality is that dogs and cats do escape and sneak out. I read that cats who live outside all the time only make it 2 years. I'm sure your cat was not a fighter and was minding his own business in the yard, but their are other street wise cats like the one who came into your yard who love a good fight.

Again, I'm sorry about your cat. Truly. But you can't beat yourself up feeling guilty. It was a tragic accident.

My neighbor, who loves animals, has a dog and cat of her own, found her neighbor's cat dead in her garage. Seems like during the summer, it sneaked in there when the garage door was open and died from the heat when he was trapped in there. She felt horrible and was crying and crying over it, and the neighbor's blamed her, but it was an accident. That cat was an indoor cat, too, but escaped this one time.I had a cat escape through a window screen and came home a day later all torn up.

If you haven't cleaned it up yet I would call your news and have them take pictures and put it on the news! If it were a dog that had attaked your pet the authorities would have it euthanized I see no difference!! I have a cat myself and would be devistated if anything happen to her! When you call the news tell them that the vets will not tell you anything because that is just plain cruel not to tell you anything I mean what is the point??? If you get a new pet somewhere down the line I would ask around or even post it here about vets offices because they don't sound very compassionate!! I everything works out for you and you have my sympathies!! M.
P.S. You may want to contact the animal control not to scare you but if you've seen this cat about before and now it is mean maybe it has contracted rabies or some other disease that alters a pets personality??????? I would deffinetly call animal control

M., I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have never heard of a vet asking you to sign your pet over????? I hate to say it but he is probably gone. I am sorry but if no one was responsible for his bills then they would have done the most cost effective thing and that would be to euthanize him. They still should be able to tell you that and ease your mind that he is no longer in pain. I would call them again. I believe the laws state that animal against animal - oh well, basically. However if it is an animal that engangering humans or farm animals then you can sue them for the costs. Emergency clinics run differently than regular veterinarians, mine if it is an emergency will let you pay on the bill, not a planned surgery like spaying but a true emergency. I don't know what I can tell you to make you feel better except that you did what you could for your cat and that he probably is no longer in pain. But I would call the clinic again and ask what they did to him, maybe they could explain their policies to you and you would know that they probably put him out of his misery. My heart goes out to you, you are in my prayers. Know that you did your best and he is happier now. Take care.

If you haven't cleaned up the mess yet, I would take pictures of all the damage (replacing the collar where you found it). Then I would get a picture of the other cat (if you can) and ask around the neighborhood to get witnesses who have seen the cat out multiple times. Get a statement from the vet stating what all happened and the condition they found your cat in, and then take this other family to small claims court. You should be able to prove all the fighting happened in your yard if all the blood and such is found there. If they are required to pay, perhaps they will think twice about letting their obviously vicious cat run the neighborhood. Also, if it does something like this to another animal, might it one day attack a child left alone in his/her backyard? This animal sounds dangerous!

I can say there are vets out there that do have the option to sign the animal over. In most cases they try to treat them, then find them a home. Unless there is proof it was that animal and not a dog or car, you probably have no recourse. Once you have relinquished the rights to him as his owner, the client/patient relationship is no longer valid. I understand what he meant to you.

I think anyone who has lost a well-loved pet can empathize with you. I know that I still miss my old dog more than 5 years after having to put her to sleep. I am very sorry for your loss. When you are ready, adopting another cat that needs a good home can help you forget the pain.

In the small town that I grew up in there was a leash law passed for cats. If the same is true of where you live then you would have some recourse against the owners of the other cat. Have you thought of flyers warning other pet owners about this cat? Basically, I don't have much advice to offer, just wanted to say that I, for one, do understand how you feel.

A.

M.,
I would contact clarkhoward.com Email him with the entire story and ask him for advice. It is free. I am sorry about your loss.

J. F.

i think you need to put in on the news and sue the people who are responsible for this matter if you put it on the news they would give you some answers hope you try maybe it will work.

I'm sorry for your loss too.

If you are sure that your neighbor's pet did this, you might want to tell other neighbors that have pets so that they won't have to go through what you are going through.

Take care.