Location: Indiana
So many of you have seen my original post from about 8 months ago, I’ve copy pasted it at the bottom of this post for those who haven’t. I took many people’s advice to stop reaching out and I haven’t contacted her since then. The original owner (X) has contacted me this week to ask if I would give her “custody” back of her cat. At this point I have been caring for it for over a year. This cat has bonded with my family and other pets. As far as I know, X does not know where I live, my last name, or any identifiable information about me to send anyone after me. Am I committing a crime by not replying? If I do reply what should I say? I really do not want to give this cat back, because it’s part of my family now. I’ve paid for ALL of its’ care with basically no contact with the original owner. I am more than willing to even pay for her to get another cat instead.
ORIGINAL POST: So 6 months ago a friend called me asking if I could watch her cat (which she had owned at that point for maybe 3 months), for her for 2 weeks while she stayed with her parents looking for a new place. I agreed to take the cat, and met up with her. She gave me the cat in a cardboard carrier (the same one she took her home from the shelter in), with a $5 bag of food and litter but no litter box or any other accessories/toys. Long story short, 2 weeks has turned into 6 months with no compensation and little to no contact from this friend. On Sunday, I texted her asking if she was actually going to take her cat back at some point or if this cat was staying with me long term. She proceeded to tell me she wants the cat back after the holidays. I understand that it’s technically her cat, but it’s also lived in my home at this point longer than it’s even known her for. I’ve paid for everything, a new litter box, litter, food, toys, you name it. This friend also has two small children who really don’t know or understand how to properly handle and play with a cat and I just feel like giving this cat back is a bad idea. Do I have any legal standing?
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